Bulgaria signed an agreement with the World Tourism Organization to host the global conference on wine tourism

Plovdiv will welcome the most elite experts in wine tourism at the Ninth UN Tourism Global Conference on October 6 and 7

Minister of Tourism Miroslav Borshosh and Secretary-General of the UN specialized agency Zurab Pololikashvili officially signed the agreement for Bulgaria to host the Ninth Global Conference on Wine Tourism of the UN World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism). The prestigious forum will take place in Plovdiv on October 6 and 7. The agreement for the organization of the event was signed at the UN Tourism headquarters in Madrid.

"We expect the event to bring together delegations from countries around the world and to establish Bulgaria as a preferred tourist destination on the world map. For us, this is a strategic opportunity not only to present our country as a wine destination, but also to link wine with the rich variety of tourist experiences that Bulgaria offers – from mountain and adventure tourism to cultural, gastronomic, and urban tourism," said Minister Borshosh.

Wine is not only a product with high added value, but also a cultural symbol that carries with it history, terroir, and identity. That is why wine tourism has the potential to be a strong catalyst for the development of other types of tourism and to extend the stay of tourists through accompanying experiences – tastings, festivals, winery tours, culinary routes, and rural routes.

In April, Minister Borshosh, Plovdiv Mayor Kostadin Dimitrov, and experts from the municipality and the ministry visited key locations in the city suitable for events of this scale. Excellent coordination with local authorities and proven organizational capacity made Plovdiv the natural choice to host the prestigious forum.

The development of wine tourism, as a specialized segment with long-standing traditions in Bulgaria, will contribute to the sustainable development of the sector and increase its competitiveness. The global conference will put Bulgaria in the spotlight of the international tourism community and will give impetus to new partnerships, investments, and sustainable policies in tourism.