Velingrad was given the stature of a spa capital of the Balkans, announced the website expert.bg based on iformation given by the municipality administration. The title was given to the bulgarian city in Monterey, Mexico, on the International conference of hotel and restaurant managers (IHRA).

The holiday of the resort – July 4th – is also included in the official calendar of IHRA. According to the decision of the Bulgarian association of hotel and restaurant managers, Velingrad bears the title of Spa capital of Bulgaria since 2005.

The new title gives the occasion for an official ceremony, organized by the municipality. The president of Bulgaria Georgi Parvanov and other presidents of Balkan countries will be invited to the event.