site.btaPM Donev, UNWTO Secretary General Pololikashvili Discuss Bulgaria's Priorities for Tourism Development

Caretaker Prime Minister Galab Donev and Secretary General of the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Zurab Pololikashvili discussed Bulgaria's priorities for tourism development at a meeting here on Wednesday, the Council of Ministers reported. Pololikashvili is in Bulgaria for the 68th Meeting of the UNWTO Commission for Europe, which Sofia hosts for the second time between May 31 and June 2.

Donev emphasized that one of the government's important goals is to restore tourism and return it to a path of growth. Donev and Pololikashvili noted that according to UNWTO data, Bulgaria was among the best recovering destinations in the first quarter of 2023 compared to the prepandemic 2019 in terms of number of tourist arrivals, marking a 27% increase. Pololikashvili pointed out Bulgaria's potential for tourism development in both traditional sectors and new ones.

The Prime Minister said that Bulgaria shares the UNWTO's vision of tourism as an engine of economic growth, inclusive development and environmental sustainability.

Earlier on Wednesday, President Rumen Radev conferred State awards on Pololikashvili and Prof. Alessandra Priante, Director of the Europe Department of the organization.