Tourism Minister Evtim Miloshev opened the "Bulgaria - Discover and Share" forum in Istanbul on Sunday. The forum aims to explore opportunities for interaction between Bulgarian and Turkish tourism products. "I believe that there is a serious potential to further develop the tourist exchange between the two countries", said Milloshev. He added that Bulgarian winter tourism destinations are popular in Turkey and Bansko is among them, noting that over 53 Turkish tourists visited Bulgaria in the period December 1, 2023 - March 25, 2024, and there is potential for many more in next winter season. "There is a need to create a joint tourist product between Turkey and Bulgaria. Our countries are interested in creating joint tourist itineraries based on our common history, culture and culinary traditions," Miloshev said during the meeting with representatives of the Association of Turkish Travel Agencies (TURSAB) in Istanbul. During the meeting, TURSAB shared data that Bulgaria is currently number one in requests and demands of Turkish tourists for visits to winter resorts and spas in the country. The focus of the joint work of the National Tourist Board of Bulgaria in Turkey and TURSAB is to promote the destination of Bulgaria among the 25 million inhabitants living in the areas of Istanbul, Bursa, Izmir and Çorlu, due to the excellent transport connection, which is built in recent years and significantly reduces travel time by car. Miloshev also held a working meeting with Turkish Airlines. The focus of the talks was the expansion of opportunities for attracting tourists to Bulgaria from Turkey, as well as from destinations in China and Japan. Turkish Airlines expressed its willingness to promote the destination Bulgaria as part of a joint tourist product with Turkey. /BTA