The Minister of Tourism, Evtim Miloshev, signed a historic Memorandum of Cooperation with the Japan Tourism Agency, which lays the foundation for more active tourist relations between the two countries.
The memorandum, which is the result of six years of preparation, aims not only to increase the flow of tourists between Bulgaria and Japan, but also to provide an opportunity to strengthen cooperation at the international level within the framework of the World Tourism Organization of the United Nations (WTO).
As the fourth largest economy in the world, Japan is a strategic partner in the field of tourism.
Minister Miloshev emphasized that Japan has long known Bulgaria through its iconic symbols – yogurt and rose butter, as well as through the popular figure of Kotooshu.
“But the potential to attract Japanese tourists is much greater. Our goal is to ensure the possibility of direct flights,” said Minister Miloshev.
Bulgaria is represented with a special national stand at one of the most prestigious events in the world of tourism – Tourism Expo Japan 2024, which takes place in Tokyo from September 26 to 29, 2024.
Our country also participates with representatives of the Metropolitan Municipality and the Municipality of Plovdiv, as well as with leading Bulgarian tour operators, who aim to establish direct contacts with representatives of the Japanese tourism industry, in order to build a long-term partnership for the realization and implementation of various activities related to tourism and the promotion of Bulgaria as a tourist destination in the land of the rising sun.
During the official opening of the exhibition, Minister Miloshev, accompanied by the Bulgarian ambassador to Japan, Mrs. Marieta Arabadzhieva, emphasized the importance of Bulgaria’s cultural and historical heritage as an attractive tourist product for the Japanese market.
During his visit to Japan, Minister Miloshev held key bilateral meetings with his fellow tourism ministers from Greece and Montenegro – Mrs. Olga Kefaloyani and Mrs. Simonida Kordic. Topics discussed included opportunities for cooperation in the Balkan region and joint efforts to attract more tourists from distant markets such as Japan.
Expanding the Bulgarian tourism identity was one of the objectives of the visit of the Minister of Tourism.
“Yogurt with the brand Bulgaria has made the name of our country extremely recognizable in Japan over the past 50 years,” noted Minister Miloshev. “We can build on this legacy, telling Bulgaria as a destination with unique cultural and historical attractions, spa and wellness resorts, rich cuisine and excellent wine, as well as impressive natural attractions,” he added.
Bulgaria is a destination that has a thousand-year history, offers an unforgettable journey beyond the symbols already known in Japan and, combined with its rich nature, reveals to Japanese tourists a variety of authentic experiences and invites them to discover new aspects of our country.
The signing of this Memorandum marks a new stage in the development of Bulgarian-Japanese tourist relations, which will promote the exchange of tourists and open up new prospects for cooperation.
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