Over the last decade, Bulgaria has hosted the Third Conference of European Environmental Protection Ministers (1995), the Annual Meeting of the Reconstruction and Development Bank (1996), the Bulgaria 99 European Philatelic Exhibit (1999), the Bulgarian Eastern (2001), the Spring Session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (2002), the OSCE Meeting in Sofia (2004), the Architecture Triennial, regional business meetings of Germany’s economic representation in Bulgaria, the Internacional Folklore Festival, the International Suitcase Theater Festival, and many more events. Experience and expertise acquired over the course of these years in MICE tourism, the existence of proper infrastructure –high-tech conference centers and top-notch hotels- coupled with the country’s geographical location, are all good premises for the future of this industry in the Bulgaria.

One major advantage here is the widespread application of latest breakthroughs of cutting-edge technology in the Balkan nation. A case in point was the organization in Sofia of the World Cardiology Videoconference, broadcast live from a top-of-the-line U.S. center. And let’s not forget the vast cultural and historic legacy, let alone Bulgaria’s varied nature, elements that pave the way for the harmonic combination of business and leisure tourisms.

In addition to the Sofia National Culture Palace, the Festival and Congreso Center, and the Culture and Sports Palace in Verna –landmarks with longstanding histories of their own- most of the country is dotted with proper infrastructure for holding conferences, symposiums, seminars and business meetings. Customers count on halls and rooms in administrative and business centers, in municipal buildings and cultural facilities. The good infrastructure and the extremely advantageous economic conditions the country has to offer turn Bulgaria into a competitive and sought-after MICE travel destination.

Bulgaria taps into huge and varied natural and human resources for the sake of tourism. This country that barely accounts for 2 percent of Europe’s total surface, is home to over 40,000 cultural monuments –seven of them listed as UNESCO World Heritage. There are 36 cultural reserves, nearly 160 monasteries, more than 330 museums and art galleries. The national network of protected territories harbors three national parks and ten nature parks, lots of reserves and natural sightseeing spots. The abundance of springs of mineral and medicinal waters, as well as mountains and seawater, add to the nation’s allures. MICE tourism doesn’t depend on season changes since it’s a year-round practice, especially outside the summer and winter high-peak travel seasons.

And Bulgaria is no exception to the rule. However, its superbly healthy and mild climate all year round helps anyone have a good stay in the country. Mild winters, fresh springs, hot summers and autumns are commonplace in Bulgaria, not to mention the beauty and charms of its natural environment, historic landmarks and cultural sightseeing spots.

The largest congress and festival venues are located in Sofia, Verna and Plovdiv. Beach resorts and compounds along the northern shore of the Black Sea also offer magnificent conditions for conferences, seminars, business meetings and cultural forums. Those are coveted and luring locations among business travelers because their relaxation, health recovery and conservation are undisputed parts of their working agenda. Mountain resorts and winter facilities, brimming with quietness, fresh air and natural beauty, are equally appropriate for holding events there year in and year out. They are in high demand in the winter since they are perfect for the practice of sports and boast very affordable fares.

Top-class hotels in many Bulgarian cities have traditionally hosted prestigious international business and cultural events. This is owed to a great hotel infrastructure, good services, warm hospitality and the efforts of the Bulgarian people to deliver whatever it takes to get the job done for their guests and offer them an interesting and assorted activity program. Sofia, the nation’s capital, is a major MICE travel destination. Specialized venues for congresses and business meetings, exposition rooms, and countless world-class hotels provide adequate conditions and high-tech equipment for working sessions and businesslike debates in both national and international high-level events.

The rich history of the Bulgarian capital, the many historic, architectural and cultural landmarks, including such churches as Santa Sofia (6th century), the Church of Boyana (13th century), the San Alexander Nevski temple and monument (1912), plus the modern and local amusement centers, offer an interesting and varied program of activities that goes hand in hand with the working sessions.

As to the future plans of Sofia as the capital of Europe and major travel destination, the progressive development and enhancement of MICE tourism is marching ahead. One of the main actions in this respect was the signing, in January 2005, of the cooperation agreement between Bulgaria’s Hotels and Restaurants Association (ABHR) and the Bulgarian Convention and Visitors Bureau (BCVB). This alliance pursues the objective of forging mutual help in the organization and holding meetings, seminars, forums and conferences, as well as joint attendance to international exhibits and fairs.

The National Culture Palace (Sofia Congress Center) is the largest multifunctional compound of Southeastern Europe. It’s equipped with a baker’s dozen halls and 55 rooms for conferences that seat somewhere between 100 and 3,880 attendants. The center provides an exhibition surface of over 15,000 square meters, quite a challenge for both designers and developers.

The excellent technical equipment installed for different events and activities, coupled with well-developed infrastructure and integrated services –banking transactions, restaurants, catering, parking and a whole lot more- are rehaznos to understand why the Palace of Culture is one of the main attractions there.

Its affiliation to the prestigious International Conference and Congreso Association speak volumes of the services this venue provides. In 2003, the Internacional Congress Palace Organization (AIPC – Association Internationale des Palais de Congrés) labeled the Palace of Culture the world’s second-best congress and conference center at the 2003 World Congress Center Apex Award. Plovdiv, one of Bulgaria’s most picture-perfect cities, has also hosted festi vals and conferences.

This crossroad of cultures and times, of religions and creeds that links countries and continents, is an attractive enclave for artists, travelers, researchers and scientists. Plovdiv is home to representations from several cultural and educational organizations and foundations, like the Open Society Foundation, the Center for the Sajonia-Anhalt Federal Province, the French Alliance, the German-Bulgarian Association, the Armenian Arts and Culture Association, the Shalom Hebrew Cultural & Educational Organization, the Bulgaria in 13 Centuries Donation Fund, the St. Cirilo & Metodio Foundation. Also present are the Rotary Club, the Lines Club, and many more.

This bustling cultural activity makes this burg the proud host of an array of scientific meetings, symposiums, outdoor exhibits, world-class internacional music festivals, plus others linked to the performing arts, cinema, folklore and the like.

Verna, the summer capital of Bulgaria, is a crossroad that stands halfway between the Middle East and Western Europe. This city, teeming with an admirable ancient history of its own, ranks third among Bulgaria’s largest burgs, only trailing behind Sofia and Plovdiv. In this city, where scholars dug out of its necropolis the world’s oldest wrought-gold object, is the proud heir to the Miletus-Obesus colony and is related in many ways to the Crusades. The Archeological Museum, the Museum of Renaissance, the Museum of Ethnography, the Roman Terms, the renaissance-style Clock Tower built in 1880, and the Virgin’s Death Cathedral are also living testimonies of the rich and ancient history of the nation’s maritime capital.

In the 20th century, the city became a top-drawer beach resort. Today, Verna is the heart of the Black Sea region. All those factors chip in extensively to bring a busy life to the city, not only in summertime when it becomes a hot spot for tourists. Known as a superb beach region, Verna is blessed with marvelous conditions for recreation, fun and sports. The city is also proud of its Maritime Garden, featuring one-and-only trees, several restored buildings from the early 19th century, the Dolphin Seaquarium and the Summer Theater. The local planetarium boasts the Foucault Pendulum –the only one of its kind in the Balkan Peninsula. All this much rounds out the image of a bustling city and the busiest center of Bulgaria’s northern Black Sea coast, let alone the country’s seaport to the world.