HIS MAJESTY KING SIMEON II OF THE BULGARIANS

His Majesty
King Simeon II
Of The Bulgarians

Son of King Boris III and Queen Giovanna, Simeon Saxe-Coburg Gotha was born on June 16, 1937 in Sofia, Bulgaria.

Upon the sudden death of King Boris III on August 28, 1943, the 6-year old Simeon acceded to the throne as Tsar* Simeon II. A three-member Council of Regency was formed to govern Bulgaria on his behalf. Following the communist coup on September 9, 1944, Simeon II remained on the throne but the regents, including his uncle Prince Kyril, along with the core of the country’s intellectuals, were executed. In 1946, a referendum forced King Simeon II, his sister Princess Maria Luisa and the Queen Mother Giovanna to leave Bulgaria. Without abdicating, the young King was to spend long years of exile. The family settled first in Alexandria, Egypt. The choice was not accidental. The Italian King Victor Emmanuel III, the father of the Queen Mother Giovanna, lived there in exile. Simeon II was enrolled at the Victoria College in Egypt.

In July 1951, the Spanish Government granted asylum to the exiled Bulgarian royal family. In Madrid, Simeon II graduated from the Lycée Français and read law and political sciences. In 1958-1959 he enrolled at the Valley Forge Military Academy and College in the United States, where he graduated as second lieutenant.

In 1962 Simeon II married a Spanish aristocrat, Doña Margarita Gómez-Acebo y Cejuela. They have five children – four sons and a daughter.

Simeon II Saxe-Coburg Gotha maintained broad international contacts with the business community and his manifold activities have led him to travel frequently worldwide. Throughout the years of exile he closely followed developments in his country and kept abreast of everything regarding Bulgaria. He worked actively with Bulgarian emigrants worldwide and helped many fellow countrymen.

In 1996 Simeon II paid a maiden visit to Bulgaria after almost 50 years of exile.

In 1998, the Constitutional Court of Bulgaria ruled to restore to his family the royal estates, which had been nationalized by the communists.

On April 6, 2001 Simeon II proclaimed his decision to return for good and to contribute actively to the country’s revival, by employing the experience and contacts he had amassed in exile.

In a historic address to the Bulgarian nation he proclaimed his intention to form a new political entity – the National Movement Simeon II (NMSII) – dedicated to high political morale and integrity. As the leader of the Movement, after overcoming the stumbling blocks on the way to registering the Movement in court, the Bulgarian King joined the parliamentary elections on June 17, 2001.

After a landslide victory for the NMSII, Simeon II Saxe-Coburg Gotha was sworn in as Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria on July 24, 2001. He completed a successful 4-year term of office in a government coalition with the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) – the first post-communist cabinet to end its mandate with enhanced public approval. During the term of the NMSII governance, Bulgaria attained the strategic national ideals of joining NATO and signing the Treaty of Accession to the European Union.

Following the 2005 parliamentary elections, Simeon II Saxe-Coburg Gotha joined the ruling Council of the tripartite coalition of BSP (Bulgarian Socialist Party), NMSII and MRF, which formed the cabinet.

By a Presidential Decree of June 15, 2001, Simeon II Saxe-Coburg Gotha was awarded the highest state distinction – the Stara Planina Order First Degree – for his exceptional service to Bulgaria.

Simeon II Saxe-Coburg Gotha has been decorated with more than 30 other distinctions, including the highest class of the Royal and Distinguished Spanish Order of Carlos III, the Grand Officer class of the French Legion of Honor, the Belgian Grand Cross of the Order of Leopold II, the Islamic Grand Cross of the Order of Independence of Jordan, the Greek Grand Cross of the Saviour, the Grand Cross of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, the Grand Cross of the Order of Malta, Kinght of the Order of the Golden Fleece, Knight Grand-Cross of Honour and Devotion, as well as with the highest classes of a number of European Dynastic orders.

  *Tsar is the Slavic title for some monarchs. It is equivalent to that of King. Tsar is occasionally spelled csar or tzar in English.

Press Releasse


ITIC Tourism Investment Summit in

Sofia, Bulgaria on the 12 – 14 September 2022


Investment facilitation and support to tap tourism opportunities in Central, Eastern and South-east Europe


The International Tourism Investment Corporation (ITIC) will be holding its ‘Central, Eastern and Southeast Tourism Investment Summit’ from the 12th to the 14th September 2022 at Hyatt Regency Hotel in Sofia, Bulgaria.

As investors in the tourism industry are increasingly paying attention to the social and environmental footprint of their projects, the Central, Eastern and South-east European regions offer unrivalled opportunities for new hospitality developments in terms of greater sustainability, resilience and innovation.

The ITIC Tourism Investment Summit will bring together policy makers, tourism ministers, project owners and investors so that they can unleash the potential of the tourism industry of Central, Eastern and Southeast Europe for the benefit of all stakeholders especially of local communities. For investors, private equity firms, fund managers and financiers in quest of novel business opportunities, this event might turn out to be the chance of their lifetime since these parts of Europe are still endowed with unspoiled natural sites to be integrated to international travellers’ routes.

The Chairman of ITIC Ltd and invest Tourism Ltd and former Secretary-General of UNWTO, Dr Taleb Rifai, is of opinion that “Central, Eastern and Southeast Europe have an impressive diversity of cultural and heritage sites. Hospitality development needs to be unlocked for these markets to realise their full potential. Through our Summit, we will bring our contribution in fostering investments and partnerships as well as shape better tourism policies to make these regions become tomorrow the most popular destinations for tourists from all over the world.”

According to Ibrahim Ayoub, the Group CEO of ITIC, “this Summit aims at encouraging a paradigm shift for the social inclusiveness of tourism investments and act as a change enabler as these destinations have a diverse and rich cultural but also a historic legacy”. “We aim at putting forward central, Eastern and south-east Europe to reveal the extent of their untapped tourism potentialities and the vast opportunities in terms of new infrastructure and services”.

Furthermore, in this post covid-era and looking at the challenges of the sector in the region, the tourism ministers attending the Summit, will be laying down the foundations of a new roadmap aimed at enhancing these regions long-term tourism attractiveness by exchanging views and joining forces through collaborative common initiatives.

Moreover, the mayor of Sofia Yordanka Fandakova pointed out: ‘I am glad that the International Tourism Investment Corporation has chosen Sofia as a host. Sofia accounts for 40% of the country’s GDP and has a huge tourism potential, we promote the development of the city as a tourist destination and invest in revealing its rich cultural and historical heritage, because tourism is an important factor in the economy of our city.’

Finally, Mrs Nikolina Angelkova, Member of parliament and Deputy Chair of Tourism Committee and Former Minister of tourism of Bulgaria has expressed her confidence that “the ITIC Summit will increase the visibility of Bulgaria and of the region, leading to a sustained growth in investment in the sector.”

For more information, please email Ibrahim Ayoub

Programme

CEE & SEE TOURISM INVESTMENT SUMMIT – HYBRID EVENT

Unlocking investment opportunities in sustainable tourism in Central, Eastern and Southeast Europe


DATE: 19 – 21 March 2023

VENUE: HYATT SOFIA, BULGARIA

   

Register to attend

About the Summit

CEE & SEE Tourism Investment Summit
Unlocking investment opportunities in sustainable tourism
in Central, Eastern and Southeast Europe

19 – 21 March 2023
Hyatt Regency – Sofia, Bulgaria

 

ITIC will hold its ‘Central, Eastern and Southeast Europe Tourism Investment Summit’ from 19 to 21 March 2023 at Hyatt Regency Hotel in Sofia, Bulgaria. As investors in the tourism industry are increasingly paying attention to the social and environmental footprint of their projects, the Central, Eastern and South-east European regions offer unrivalled opportunities for new hospitality developments in terms of greater sustainability, resilience and innovation.

The ITIC Tourism Investment Summit will bring together policy makers, tourism ministers and leaders, project owners and investors so that they can unleash the potential of the tourism industry of Central, Eastern and South-east Europe for the benefit of all stakeholders especially of local communities.

For investors, private equity firms, fund managers and financiers in quest of novel business opportunities, this event might turn out to be the chance of their lifetime since these parts of Europe are still endowed with unspoiled natural sites to be integrated to international travellers’ routes.

Attracting FDI in the travel and tourism sector will be key to rebuild the industry and contribute to the recovery of countries’ economy at large. ITIC will facilitate and structure investment to tap tourism opportunities in this part of the world.

Programme
Sunday 19 March 2023 – 19:00 – 21:00 Welcome Reception
Monday 20 March 2023 – Full Day Summit
Tuesday 21 March 2023 – Financing Travel and Tourism Development Projects

This summit will explore in depth how to rebuild the industry and focus on the following critical issues:

  • Economic Outlook: The Central, Eastern and Southeast Europe investment landscape for 2023 and beyond. Insights on the key opportunities and challenges in the travel and tourism industry
  • Leaders Talk: Building a comprehensive Tourism resilience framework for the travel and tourism sector and supporting its development to attract and optimize FDIs in the Central, Eastern and Southeast Europe
  • The Future of Sustainable Urban Tourism: challenges, best practices and transforming initiatives for cities
  • Financing and investing in infrastructure and tourism projects to drive growth across the Central, Eastern and Southeast European tourism markets
  • Advancing Gender Equality in tourism by empowering women in breaking the glass ceiling
  • Investor’s Perspectives: Air Connectivity opportunities and challenges in Central, Eastern and Southeast Europe
  • Destination Focus: A Case Study of successful investments in Bulgarian Tourism
  • How to better understand the fundamental aspects of doing business in Central, Eastern and Southeast Europe
  • Investment in digitalized travel and tourism industry and how technology is revolutionizing the sector?
  • Investment Pitch – Presentations by Developers and Owners of Tourism projects within the CEE & SEE regions

 

The Summit Replay

ITIC ATM Dubai 2022

Middle East Tourism Investment Summit

The Middle East as a major financial hub for global tourism investments

 

The Middle East has become a reference financial hub for tourism investments due to its comprehensive financial services with innovative and cost-effective FinTech as well as venture capital environments. This ecosystem is supported by a diverse pool of talents and a strong regulatory framework, building a high level of trust.

The region facilitates access to finance on favourable terms. In addition, it offers appropriate financial instruments to raise capital for tourism projects and agile financing modalities through investment loans or shared ownership.

 

Monday 9 May 2022 – Ministerial Roundtable

GTRF 2022   

What is driving investments in Travel and Tourism sector?

Tuesday 10 May 2022 – The Investment Summit Day

Khadija Mohamed Turki

Khadija Mohamed Turki
Acting Director General
Ajman Department of Tourism Development (ADTD)

Khadija Mohamed Turki appointed as Acting Director General of the Ajman Department of Tourism Development (ADTD) in March 2022. Backed by the experience she gathered in the fields of tourism, retail, events and aviation for more than 20 years, she is planning to strategically place Ajman on the world’s best destinations’ map as a unique touristic haven, by implementing courageous plans that will revolutionize the future of the tourism sector of the emirate of Ajman, capitalizing on its rich heritage, the glorious history, unspoiled nature, and modern attractions that Ajman possess, using her exceptional marketing and communications skills, in addition to her unique talent to identify and exploit untethered opportunities and the deep knowledge of the emirate of Ajman that she gained previously as the Director of Tourism Development and Marketing Department at ADTD.

Holder of a Higher Diploma in Business Admin, Higher Colleges of Technology, Dubai Women’s College, Khadija Mohamed Turki started her career as part of the first team who managed Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) back in 1997. The festival is the longest running retail festival in the region to date.

Then in 2001 she joined the dynamic aviation industry with Emirates Airline for 7 years as part of the Corporate Communication team organizing and managing Emirates activities around the globe like the Dubai Airshow, the Dubai World Cup, DIFF, ITB Berlin, ATM, WTM, the Powerboat Raceand the Emirates Annual Report and Press Conference just to name few.

Prior to joining ADTD, as Director, Tourism Development and Marketing Department, in 2011 Turki worked at the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing in Dubai (DTCM) and led several roles that contributed to successfully promoting Dubai as a family and business destination internationally by choice. By end of 2018, she became a part time faculty and an instructor member at the Dubai College of Tourism where she contributed to educating and training the students of the Tourism major. Passing on her knowledge and experience in the domain to the next generations is something she enjoys doing.

Turki was a member of the Marketing and Investment Committee at Dubai Sports Council, 2007 until 2008, and a member of the Marketing Committee at UAE Football Association, Jun to Dec 2008.

Amjaad Al Salmi

Amjaad Al Salmi
Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Amjaad Public Relations

15 years of extensive experience in marketing and communications.

Achievement and result driven professional with outstanding qualifications in all phases.

Skillful developer of strategic communications & marketing programs that continually surpass expectations. In-depth project management experience from conception to implementation through leadership skills. The ability and skill set to provide creative, innovative, enthusiastic and forward-thinking leadership in a team environment.

Focused on achieving continuous & improved business performance.

Covered branding, events, marketing, PR, communications, advertising and strategies.

Experience in creating, implementing and developing strategies in the Marketing and Communication department.