A working group will support the development of wine tourism in Bulgaria

The Ministry of Tourism organizes the first ever broad discussion on the topic

A joint working group between experts from the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Agriculture and business will discuss and address wine tourism issues. This became clear at a round table entitled “Prospects for the development of wine tourism. Wine as part of the Bulgarian tourism product”, organized by the Ministry of Tourism.

In his address to the participants, Minister of Tourism Hristo Prodanov stressed that this is the first ever broad discussion on the topic. In his words, wine tourism as part of the tourism industry is extremely important for our country, for the development of sustainable tourism in four seasons and a year-round destination. “There are over 200 wineries in Bulgaria, which is a diverse offering. This discussion is the beginning for the creation of a plan for the development of wine tourism to be developed jointly with the Ministry of Agriculture and other institutions. The state and representatives of wine organizations will create a working group to work on the issue,” Minister Prodanov announced.

Addressing the participants, Deputy Minister of Agriculture Momchil Nekov stressed the need to protect wine tourism as an intangible cultural heritage so that wine routes could be added to the brown signposts. He added that 130 wine producers have been identified who have made château-type wineries suitable for wine tourism. The aim is to separate them into eight wine regions with protected geographical indication with their specificities for their promotion. 

The meeting focused on best practices, issues and trends in wine tourism. The aim of the discussions was to focus on the questions that are looking for answers, as well as on the opportunities for cooperation between the different stakeholders in order to increase the competitiveness of wine tourism in Bulgaria.

The round table was also attended by Ilin Dimitrov - Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Tourism, Irena Georgieva - Deputy Minister of Tourism, advisors to the Minister of Tourism, experts, representatives of the Bulgarian Association of Independent Wine Growers, Bulgarian Association of Wine Professionals, National Vine and Wine Chamber, Institute of Viticulture and Enology, who presented important initiatives and experience.