06.03.2025 

Plovdiv is at the largest international tourism exhibition in the world – Internationale Tourismus-Börse (ITB) in Berlin. The forum takes place from March 4 to 6, 2025, and this year the main partner country of the format is Albania.

ITB Berlin is the most prestigious and largest tourism exhibition worldwide, focused on both professionals and the general public, and has been organized since 1966. This year, the forum is held under the motto "The power of transition lives here". On an area of 160,000 sq m, the format brings together over 5,500 exhibitors from 161 countries and regions, and on four stages, 400 leading speakers from the tourism sector, science and politics will discuss the current and future challenges facing the industry.

The Ministry of Tourism is organizing the presentation of our country with a new design and attractive vision of the national stand, located on an area of 600 sq. m, which this year is significantly larger and more impressive compared to the previous edition of the exhibition. The event is attended by 49 representatives of the tourism industry from Bulgaria, including representatives of municipalities, the tourism business, leading tour operators, hotels and tourist organizations.

The advertising and information desk of Plovdiv is branded with the official tourist logo of the city, depicting the familiar composition of the seven arches. The presentation of Plovdiv is focused on the opportunities it offers as a year-round tourist destination, and the tourist product with a focus on the cultural and historical heritage, the event calendar and wine and culinary tourism, aims to increase the recognition of the city as an attractive destination on the German market.

In 2025, the German market established itself as the leader for the Municipality of Plovdiv, coming in 3rd place according to the indicator "Overnight stays by foreigners", with a share of 6.7% of the total number of overnight stays, and according to the indicator "Overnight stays by foreigners in accommodation facilities", German tourists occupy 4th place, respectively with a share of 4.5% of the total number of foreigners. The participation of Bulgaria, and respectively Plovdiv, in ITB Berlin 2025 is a strategic step to attract more tourists and investors.