From May 15 to 17, 2025, the city of Ruse will host the 20th anniversary edition of the "Weekend Tourism" exhibition and the 17th Festival of Tourist Entertainment and Animations. Organized by the Municipality of Ruse and the Municipal Enterprise "Ruse Art," in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, this event has established itself over the years as one of the most significant and diverse tourism initiatives in Bulgaria.​

"Weekend Tourism" not only promotes Ruse as an attractive destination but also offers substantial opportunities for economic development, collaboration, and investment in the tourism, cultural, and gastronomic sectors. The event gathers participants from various fields, including tour operators, cultural institutions, representatives of craft communities, culinary experts, and artists from Bulgaria and abroad.​

Over the course of three days, Ruse will transform into a vibrant stage for innovation in tourism and cultural entrepreneurship

The forum presents a rich program focused on showcasing tourist products, alternative forms of cultural tourism, experiential and gastronomic models that blend tradition with modernity. The exhibition emphasizes strategic themes increasingly central to the sustainable growth of the sector:​

• Experiences as an economic resource – exploring how local culture, cuisine, and history can be transformed into competitive products;​
• Sustainable tourism and cultural-historical heritage – presenting best practices from Bulgaria and abroad;​
• Crafts and creative industries as integral parts of the tourism economy;​
• Culinary and festival tourism – introducing new formats to attract domestic and international visitors;​
• Multicultural and cross-border collaborations focusing on the Danube region and interactions with partners from Italy, Romania, and other countries.​

The program includes exhibition stands, destination and initiative presentations, culinary demonstrations with Italian chefs, artistic and musical performances, craft demonstrations, climbing activities, retro photo zones, and fashion shows. The exhibition will also feature an International Culinary Competition for youth, involving students from vocational schools across Bulgaria and Europe.​

Why is "Weekend Tourism" important for future investors?

• It presents Ruse as a dynamic location for the development of experiential and event tourism;​
• It creates an environment for business contacts, project collaboration, and product innovation in the services and cultural industries;​
• It provides opportunities for positioning small and medium-sized enterprises in new niches, such as culinary initiatives, local brands, hosting services, tour operations, and cultural management;​
• It enhances the city and regional image, directly impacting tourist flow, employment, and local consumption.​

The "Weekend Tourism" exhibition will take place in the central urban area of Ruse – Freedom Square, the Revenue Building, the City Garden, the Opera House promenade, and the Philharmonic Hall. A detailed program of the three-day event can be viewed here. 

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Source: Municipality of Ruse

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