The Municipality of Plovdiv received the award for “Cultural Tourism 2015” of the annual BALKAN AWARDS FOR TOURISM INDUSTRY 2015

Plovdiv was proclaimed “Balkan Capital of Culture” on a prestigious ceremony last night. The category in which the city was awarded was “Exclusive Contribution to and the most Successful Developing of Tourism 2015”. Stephan Stoyanov – the deputy-mayor of Plovdiv, received the award on behalf of the Municipality.
One of the main purposes of these awards is to honor the companies and institutions which have contributed to the tourist branch by encouraging the experts occupied in this field. 
Plovdiv received this award not only for being the oldest continuously inhabited city in Europe and the sixth oldest in the world with a huge cultural heritage. A significant role has been played by the successfully run projects for the development of the city, as well, a few of which being the renovation of the Early Christian Basilica, the Roman Stadium, the Kapana District and the Tsar-Simeon’s Garden. 
The foreign media also have contributed to attracting tourist to Plovdiv by increasing its popularity. For example, Plovdiv was listed by Lonely Planet as a must-visit destination in 2015. With the proclamation of Plovdiv European Capital of Culture 2019 the city gained the opportunity to develop in the field of tourism. 
The results achieved by now doubtlessly show that Plovdiv is on the right way with its 10-year Cultural strategy.