site.btaTourism Minister Participates in Ministerial Summit at WTM in London

"It is important to achieve sustainability in three main pillars of tourism - environmental, social and economic. These are the cornerstones of Bulgaria's vision for the future development of the sector, and I am confident that we will find many committed international partners and friends in our efforts to achieve our goals," caretaker Minister of Tourism Dr. Ilin Dimitrov said in his address to the participants of the ministerial meeting in the framework of the London exhibition, organized under the banner of the World Tourism Organization of the United Nations and the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC). 

The high-level meeting was held on the second day of the World Travel Market (WTM) international travel trade show in London, UK.

"Instead of seeking to 'go back to normal' it is time to rethink the goals, business models, value chains of the tourism industry in a more pragmatic and systematic approach," said Minister Dimitrov. He highlighted Bulgaria's rich tourism opportunities. Digitalization, innovation and social responsibility remain the main priorities for the future tourism product. Bulgaria should be an example of a sustainable tourism model, he pointed out, adding that we should pay attention to every tourist, both those in 5-star hotels and those in smaller categories, because they use the same amount of resources.

Prior to the start of the meeting, Minister Dimitrov held informal talks with Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary General of the World Tourism Organization, and Nikolina Brnjac, Minister of Sport and Tourism of Croatia. Dimitrov extended an invitation to his Croatian counterpart to visit Bulgaria for a meeting between the businesses of the two countries.