From January to June 2018, the Council of the European Union will be chaired by Bulgaria, ten year after its adhesion to the EU (1st January 2007).

NECSTouR wishes all the best to the Bulgarian Government for this semester.

Moreover, NECSTouR is ready to strength its cooperation with its Bulgarian member - the Province of Gabrovo - and the Bulgarian government, in order to further develop the European Tourism Policy.

Bulgaria decided to articulate the programme of its presidency among 4 priorities:

• Future of Europe and Young People
• Western Balkans
• Security and Stability
• Digital Economy

Especially the last two points are in line with the vision of NECSTouR for the whole 2018.

Indeed, during this year, NECSTouR will work hard to promote the thematic area "Digitalisation and Safety for Tourism", developed under the Smart Specialisation Platform for Industrial Modernisation (S3P-Industry), by the European Commission and several activities are in the pipeline.

Moreover, the interest of NECSTouR for western Balkans is increasing more and more and, indeed, it is part of the NECSTouR strategy 2014-2018 the intention to attract some other new member Regions besides Gabrovo from that geographical area.

Happy new year 2018 and especially to the Bulgarian policy-makers and tourism stakeholders!

More information about the Bulgarian Presidency of the EU Council