Twenty-six tourism representatives got awards in five categories during the first Annual Tourism Awards 2016 by the Municipality of Plovdiv. Twelve awards for partnership were given away during the ceremony, as well.

 

Municipality of Plovdiv gave away Annual Tourism Awards for the first time. The ceremony took place in Philippopolis Hall of the newly-open Holiday Inn Hotel. In accordance to the regulations, representatives of tourism branch became bearers of awards in 5 categories: 'Plovdiv's Most Innovative Tourism Product', 'Plovdiv's most Original Event in the Field of Tourism' , 'Highest Occupancy Rate: Class A' - big hotels, 'Highest Occupancy Rate: Class B' - for hostels, guest houses, family hotels, etc., and 'Plovdiv's Most Popular Place for Food and Entertainment'.

From January to March experts from Municipal Department of Tourism, along withprofessional jury members from Tourism Advisory Council - Plovdiv, analyzed the data for the categories 'Highest Occupancy Rate' and 'Plovdiv's most Innovative Tourism Product', while surveys carried out via the two Tourist Information Centers and media partners determined the winners in 'Plovdiv's Most Popular Place for Food and Entertainment' and 'Plovdiv's most Original Event in the Field of Tourism'.

Guests of the ceremony were the Savina Petkova - Chairman of Municipal Council, Vladimir Petrov - Deputy Governor of Plovdiv, Amelia Gesheva - Deputy Mayor of Tourism, Georgi Tityukov - Deputy Mayor of Sports and Youth Activities, Dimiter Kolev - Mayor of Western Region, Savina Roupelieva - expert in  Ministry of Tourism - Plovdiv, Kiril Velchev - Managing Director of Foundation Plovdiv 2019, Enyo Enev - Chairman of Bulgarian Hotel and Restaurant Association, Lyubozar Fratev - Chairman of Tourism Advisory Council Plovdiv, representatives of organizations, companies and hotels - partners of Municipal Department of Tourism.

The Mayor of Plovdiv - Ivan Totev, opened the ceremony with welcoming speech to the official guests, nominated participants  and the media representatives. The ceremony was leaded by the atractive soloist of State Opera Plovdiv- Mark Fowler, who, along with his assistant - Svetlana Ivanova - also soloist of the Opera, performed during the musical pauses, accompanied by the pianist Rositsa Dimova.

The awards for 'Highest Occupancy Rate' were given by the Chairman of Bulgarian Hotel and Restaurant Association, also member of Tourism Advisory Council - Enyo Enev. Kiril Velchev - Managing Dirertor of Municipal Foundation 'Plovdiv 2019' proclaimed the winners in 'Plovdiv's Most Popular Place for Food and Entertainment' in every of the 6 regions of the city. In the Central Region, the questinnarries determined 4 winners. Vasil Antonov - Manager of Antonov Tourist Agency, member of Tourism Advisory Council and Bulgarian Hotel and Restaurant Association awarded the winners in the category 'Plovdiv's most Innovative Tourism Product', in which two products shared the first place.

In the category 'Plovdiv's most Original Event in the Field of Tourism' 2016 two events shared the first place, as well. The awards were given by Amelia Geheva - Deputy Mayor of Culture and Tourism.

Videlina Gandeva - Manager of Municipal Department of Tourism gave away the awards for partnership to representatives who have supported events in tourism in 2016, including the annual International Meeting of Tourism, IX edition of which will take place in October this year. The event was closed with a cocktail, accompanied by quartet Classic View.

 

List of the awarded representatives of I Annual Tourism Awards 2016 for achievements in tourism:

 

1.    Highest Occupancy Rate of guest Houses, family hotels and hostels (Class B)

ІІІ place – Guest House 8 1/2

ІІ place – Old Plovdiv Guest House

ІII place – Business Hotel Plovdiv

2.    Highest Occupancy Rate of hotels (Class A)

ІІІ pace – Noviz Hotel

ІІ place – Afrodita Hotel

І place – Landmark Creek Hotel

3.    Plovdiv's Most Popular Place for Food and Entertainment

In the Central Region there are 4 favorite places for food and entertainment: Classic restaurant Salt and Pepper, Classic Restaurant Pavage, Beer-house Amsterdam, Classic restaurant Hemingway. 

In North Region – Restaurant with national cuisine Sombrero

In West Region – Caffeé House Marbea

In South Region – Classic Restaurant Note dí Vino

In East Region – Restaurant Classic

In Trakia District – Ale House Jägerhof

4.    Plovdiv's most Innovative Tourism Product - two awards

Dan Travel and Villa Yustina – Four Seasons of Wine and Culture

Bulgaria Wine Tours – Theme Combined Tours

5.    Plovdiv's most Original Event in the Field of Tourism

ІІІ- place- Old Town Festivities

ІІІ place – Autumn Fair of Crafts

ІІ place – Night of Museums and Galleries

І place - Young Wine Parade

Plovdiv's most Original Event in the Field of Tourism – Awards for participation:

Plovdiv Folk Fest, International Festival Black Box, National Round Table ‘Specialized Kinds of Tourism’ by Agricultural University of Plovdiv , Exposition of Early-Christian Tomb in Regional Ethnographic Museum – Plovdiv, Wine and Gourmet.

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Awards for partnership: Refan Bulgaria – perfume and cosmetics, Nova Trade – Bachkovo Spring water, Wine Club Bendida, Wine Cellar Brestovitsa, Hebros Bus, State Opera Plovdiv, Star Hotel, Park Hotel Sankt Peterburg, Park Hotel Plovdiv, Park hotel Imperial, Grand Hotel Plovdiv and Ramada Trimontium.