Bulgaria has proposed a new tourism cooperation plan with Greece for 2027 to 2029, the Ministry of Tourism press office said. Sofia wants the two countries to sign it in Abu Dhabi at the upcoming 127th session of the Executive Council of UN Tourism.

Tourism minister Ilin Dimitrov and his Greek counterpart Olga Kefalogianni discussed the plan today in London at the World Travel Market 2026 fair. The draft has already been sent through diplomatic channels.

The ministers also talked about joint campaigns in distant markets, including under programmes and projects of the European Travel Commission. The ministry says the aim is to use the region's potential and draw tourists from markets where more and more people look for combined routes and experiences in South-East Europe.

"We can present the region to the world together and have a stronger voice when decisions are made on the future of European tourism," Dimitrov said, according to the press office. The two countries want their good relations to open new markets for them.

They also spoke about the need for closer coordination between Bulgaria and Greece at EU level. The two countries expect the new European tourism strategy to bring practical guidance and specific steps that make Europe's tourism sector more competitive and sustainable.

Greek citizens made more than 836,000 visits to Bulgaria from January to August 2026. The ministry says tourism exchange between the two countries is at a very high level.

Dimitrov told Kefalogianni about the Association of Higher Education Institutions that train tourism staff, which has been set up in Bulgaria, and invited Greek universities to join. The ministry said Bulgaria is looking for wider international partnership in education, staff training and the exchange of knowledge and expertise.

The ministers also discussed partnership in UN Tourism. Bulgaria has formally put forward its candidacy for a new term on the organisation's Executive Council for 2027 to 2031 and counts on Greece's support.

Dimitrov will take part tomorrow in the 20th anniversary ministerial conference in London. The high-level forum is organised by WTM London with UN Tourism and the World Travel and Tourism Council. About 50 tourism ministers and international leaders from the sector will discuss global challenges and the future direction of world tourism.