EVENT LOCATION: BULGARIA

Bulgaria's advantages as a destination for holiday, spa, culture and nature tourism can hardly be disputed. But in the past few years the country has expanded its attractiveness as a conference destination as well. The positive effect of this is visible with the naked eye – it brings to the country spending visitors and generates both income and interest in other fields of Bulgarian economy and tourism.

What makes Bulgaria good for conference tourism? Its key location and developed communications are crucial when organisation of international events is concerned. Thanks to the four international airports in Sofia, Varna, Burgas and Plovdiv, the country is accessible from every corner of the world. The good quality of internet connectivity is a guarantee for a trouble-free event, and the EU membership means application of the highest standards and quality of the service but at a more affordable rate. The excellent local food and the intriguing wines are a secondary factor whose charm, however, one is hard to resist.

Human factor is another advantage of Bulgaria as a destination for conference tourism. In the country work professional interpreters to and from a variety of languages and there are established event companies that know how to organise a modern, effective and memorable conference, seminar, presentation, lecture or other event.

Mercury97: Creative ideas and professional help

Professionals who know the "magical" formula of the memorable and well-planned event: this is what you will find at Mercury97 (Sofia, 107 King Boris III Blvd, office 2, phone: +359 2 831 01 87, www.mercury-bg.com). The company has over 20 years of experience in organisation of events, planning, conference tourism. Regardless of the character of the particular event, Mercury97 offers a whole range of services, from budgeting and venue selection to technical equipment, creative visualisation and registration, to selection of speakers and moderators, hotels and transportation. Careful planning of every details and strict organisation are other trademarks of Mercury97. To them are added the aim to use the latest technical trends and a creative talent thanks to which your event stands out from the rest and leaves a pleasant memory in the participants.

Location is one of the most important things for an event. Sofia, as a capital that concentrates the administrative, business, social, scientific and cultural life of Bulgaria and the opportunities for shopping and fun, has logically become a significant conference destination. Sofia Airport makes it easily accessible to a wide range of international destinations, something in which international hotel chains recognised a potential for development.

Best Western Premier Sofia Airport Hotel: Flexible solutions and impeccable style

Strategically located close to Sofia Airport, two major streets and dynamic business centres like Sofia Airport Center and Trade Center Europe, the four-star Best Western Premier Sofia Airport Hotel (Sofia, 11 Brussels Blvd, phone: +359 2 905 13 12, www.hotelpremiersofia.com) combines excellent location with high class experience and professional conditions for all types of events. The 6 conference rooms named after famous European airports and the glass roof foyer offer a variety of options for arrangement to accommodate events for 18 to 600 people. The technical equipment meets all modern requirements and needs. The team of Best Western Premier Sofia Airport Hotel has developed a special healthy option for coffee pauses and lunches with smoothies and healthy suggestions, and the à la carte restaurant managed by an awarded chef will impress even the most fastidious of your guests. The free shuttle service to and from Sofia Airport and its metro station provides an additional opportunity for a stressless and well organised event.

The presence of distinct areas with high concentration of business activities is another advantage of Sofia to other cities in the country as a suitable location for conferences, seminars and other business-related events.

Expo Hotel Sofia: For Your Comfortable Stay and Successful Event

Expo Hotel Sofia (Sofia, 149 Tsarigradsko Shose Blvd, phone: 02 817 81 00, www.hotelexposofia.com), part of one of the largest hotel chains in the world – Best Western, is a modern hotel combining comfort and coziness, an excellent choice whether the occasion of your stay is business or holiday. Expo Hotel Sofia is located in the capital's new business centre and is close to Inter Expo Center – Tsarigradsko Shose Metro Station, which makes it a practical location for your event. The completely renovated hotel has 99 modern and comfortable rooms, 8 conference, meetings and events rooms, a cozy restaurant and a summer garden. Its team of professionals has vast experience in hosting different types of conferences, exhibitions, receptions and social events. All meeting rooms are equipped with high speed internet and technical equipment. The four-star hotel will tempt you with diverse menu for coffee break, lunch, dinner or cocktail and in the beautiful garden you can say "I do" under an arc of living roses. Free parking and shuttle service to Sofia Airport are also available.

Indeed, good hotels gained the reputation of reliable partners in organisation of quality events. Besides convenient location, they also provide flexible options for events of diverse character and with a varying number of participants, and quality technical equipment.

Park Hotel Moskva, Sofia: Conference spaces for flawless events

When you are looking for optimal conditions for your event, Park Hotel Moskva (Sofia, 25 Nezabravka St, phone: +359 2 971 1024, www.parkhotelmoskva.net) provides you with consistent quality and a variety of solutions. The hotel has 7 conference rooms and halls with capacity between 20 and 550 seats. They all have daylight (except for Kiev hall) and free high-speed Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, with professional equipment and support for sound, translation, live video conferences. The spacious lobby in front of the halls is excellent for displaying all kind of promotional and informational materials, exhibition spaces, banners, posters, panels and for participant registration desks, coffee-breaks, welcome drinks and cocktails.

Quality hotels are also an excellent option for cases when guests travelling from another city or abroad should be accommodated. The combination of event and accommodation at the same hotel is convenient for both organisers and participants, guests can use time free of events enjoying amenities such as spa procedures, gym, gourmet cuisine.

Earth and People Hotel & SPA, Sofia: Where all the details for your event are taken care of and brought to perfection

Located in Southern Sofia, the four-star Earth and People Hotel & SPA (27 Ring Road Street, next to the intersection with Bulgaria Boulevard, phone: 0988 12 7000, sales@earthandpeople.bg, www.earthandpeople.bg) will make you and your guests feel at home. Its fully equipped conference rooms provide opportunities for the organisation of a wide range of events: from small meetings and training to yoga seminars, cocktails and international conferences for up to 100 people.

Signature design and avant-guard appearance have no practical application in an event. They, however, can influence the mood of the guests, improving their concentration and creating the feel of being special and of witnessing something different from the tried-and-tested routine.

Simona Art Hotel: Artistic place for artistic events

"Development of congress tourism is connected to offering a complex service that accumulates income in all sectors of local economy and attracts high-spending clients," says Lachezar Tsvetkov, manager of Simona Art Hotel (Sofia, 10 Engineer Ivan Ivanov Blvd, phone: +359 885 259 098, www.hotelsimona.com). The hotel he manages is an example for intelligent development in this direction. With its bold design, classical comfort and high professionalism of the service, Simona Art Hotel offers a memorable experience. Every room is designed by a young Bulgarian artist experimenting with a certain visual art (mural, graffiti, stage design, photography). The options for organisation of various business, public and personal events in Simona Art Hotel reflect the hotel's innovative vision. The two conference halls have a pleasant and creative atmosphere for gatherings of up to 100 people, and the elegant restaurant with a garden is an excellent solution for celebrating a wedding or other family event.

Bulgaria's opportunities for conference tourism spread far outside Sofia. With its mountains and sea, the country provides an opportunity for organising events among clean air and stunning landscapes. Regardless of whether they are coming from close or far, participants in events outside of the capital will value the ability to relax in their free time with skiing, walks among the nature, spa pleasures, which are impossible to do in a dynamic big city. Hotels outside the big city are also excellent for team buildings.

Hotel Lion Borovetz: Where business is a pleasure

Completely renovated in 2016, Hotel Lion Borovetz (reception: 07 503 3000, www.borovetz.hotelslion.bg) offers to its guests practical and convenient opportunity to combine the clean air of the Rila with the organisation of a business meeting, team building, conference or other event. The hotel in Bulgaria's oldest resort has two rooms for conference events with a capacity for up to 100 and up to 150 people, which can be divided to host smaller events. The modern equipment includes wireless microphones and Internet, flip-chart, screen, multimedia. Whatever the event you organise in Hotel Lion Borovetz, your guests will feel excellent in the rooms and apartments you have chosen, and in the restaurant and tavern offering the best of the Bulgarian and European cuisine. For the moments of relaxation from the business hours, the hotel has a spa centre, sauna, steam bath, and gym, and the marvellous nature of the Rila is within hand's reach, ready to relieve you from the stress and to boost you with energy, regardless of the season.

It does not matter whether you are organising a conference, symposium or educational training, Thracian Hoteliers (www.thracian-hoteliers.com) will fulfil your desires: a modern Conference Center only 1 hour away from Sofia, perfect location for a sports camp, business meeting or training 15 minutes away from the capital's centre and so much more: you receive all of the above with the professional guidance of a team whose members are well-prepared to assist you at any time.

The great transport communication between Sofia and Plovdiv established the city of Panagyurishte as a preferred destination for events with distinct character.

Kamengrad Hotel & SPA and Park Hotel Asarel, Panagyurishte: your event meets perfection and professional attitude

The strategic location of Panagyurishte makes Kamengrad Hotel & SPA and Park Hotel Asarel (Panagyurishte, events@thracian-hoteliers.com, www.thracian-hoteliers.com) desired places for the organisation of teambuilding and sports events with accommodation. The conference centre offers 3 fully equipped conference rooms with capacity from 20 up to 150 people. The different layouts of the rooms correspond directly to the desired standards of the hotel guests.

Varna and a region are an excellent destination for conference tourism. They combine the advantages of the big city with its dynamics and opportunities for business and entertainment, the international airport and the proximity of the sea.

Boutique Splendid Hotel: Historical charm, professional care

A building with 100 years of history and modern amenities – the conditions in Boutique Splendid Hotel (Varna, 30 Bratya Shkorpil St, phone: +359 52 68 14 14; www.boutiquesplendid.net) are everything you need for a truly stylish event. The conference hall has a capacity of up to 40 guests in a variety of arrangements, and also natural lightning, charming historical style and a soft furniture corner for interviews, relaxation and talks in a closer circle. The hotel offers full technical equipment and catering that fits the elegant style of the place. Boutique Splendid has also parking spaces and offers preferential rates of accommodation for your event's guests.

Resorts around Varna are an additional option for organising an event.

Romance Splendid Spa Hotel: A memorable event by the sea

One of Bulgaria's best seaside resorts is the home of a hotel where luxury experience is complemented by excellent options for conference tourism and relaxation. The four-star Romance Splendid SPA Hotel (St. St. Constantine and Helena, Varna, www.romancesplendid.net) immerses you in an atmosphere of tranquility, comfort, spa pleasures and the joy of food in the elegant à la carte restaurant. The Romance Splendid conference rooms have natural light and are an excellent solution for conferences, presentations and other events that meet the most modern requirements. The multipurpose Flower's Hall has a capacity of 33 to 120 seats and full technical equipment, including options for interpreting to 6 languages and 3 translation booths. The cosy VIP Lounge has a capacity of 12 to 30 guests and has everything that could be needed for a successful meeting, presentation, seminar, training, interview. If you are planning a wedding, you can choose Flower's Hall or the elegant Romance restaurant. The hotel's catering service is excellent and the SPA centre and the proximity of the sea bring in a welcome feel of relaxation.

All of these make Bulgaria a place where conference tourism is easy, efficient and memorable, a perspective destination that will only grow in popularity with time.