Plovdiv is on the cover of the new issue of DESTINATIONS magazine - the ultimate guide for your holiday. Mayor Zdravko Dimitrov received the prestigious "Destination of the Year for Bulgaria" award of the magazine. Traditionally, the specialist tourism media announces the industry's champion selection on the first day of December with the release of the new issue. The issue is published in Bulgarian and English. The ceremony was attended by the owner of the magazine Ruslan Yordanov, Deputy Mayor Plamen Panov, Peter Denchev - Manager of Hotel Gallery 37, Juliana Yordanova - Head of Tourism Department and various media. There is no application, no voting and no fees for the awards. The aim is for the award winners to receive their recognition based on their work over the past year. They are based on the principle of the Michelin Awards. This allows there to be an element of surprise and recognition for the award winners at the end of each year when the awards are presented in person and on site.

"A huge thank you for the appreciation you have given us. We are honored because we did not participate in a competition, but you have observed our city in business and tourism and appreciated us yourself. At the beginning of this term, we set a goal to upgrade and present Plovdiv in all its glory not only to our guests, but also to our citizens. We will not stop here," said Mayor Zdravko Dimitrov, who reminded that this year Plovdiv took fourth place in the ranking for "Best European Destination" for 2022 and topped three separate categories: 'Best Cultural Destination in Europe', 'Most Romantic Destination in Europe' and 'Best Wine Destination in Europe' in the 13th edition of the prestigious European Best Destinations ranking.

"In order to keep up its pace in tourism, Plovdiv needs to open new attractions every year. We are trying to do that, and the data proves it. In the first 9 months of this year, the city received 25 million BGN from overnight stays. Thank you for seeing and appreciating it too. We will continue to give our best", said the Deputy Mayor for Culture, Archaeology and Tourism Plamen Panov.

In addition to the prize, a framed copy of the cover of the publication dedicated to Plovdiv was awarded to Juliana Yordanova - Head of the Tourism Department.