IFEAT is pleased to announce that its 10th Study Tour will take place in Bulgaria from28th May to 2nd June 2017. Participants will visit essential oil producers, processors,distributors and users, predominantly concentrating on rose products. Participationwill be limited to a maximum of 40 so IFEAT Members are advised to book early, asthe 2016 US Study Tour was considerably oversubscribed. Registration will begin inearly November 2016 and information will be available on the IFEAT websitewww.ifeat.org .

Bulgaria is recognised worldwide as the country of roses. The rose is its national symbol. Bulgarian roseoil with over 350 years of history and tradition is a key ingredient in the aromatherapy, cosmetics, foodand pharmaceutical industries.

During the Study Tour you will not only meet some of the main Bulgarian rose oil producing, processingand exporting companies but will also have the opportunity to pick roses, talk to the local farmers androse pickers as well as learn everything about the secrets of the Bulgarian rose from the best experts inthe industry. The majority of the rose producers in Bulgaria are growing and distilling other essential oilcrops as well, including lavender and melissa and Bulgaria is now the world’s biggest producer oflavender oil.

28 MAY–2 JUNE 2017

STUDY TOUR

BULGARIA STUDY TOUR OBJECTIVES

The Study Tour has a number of objectives:

First, to gain an intimate knowledge of the production andprocessing facilities for a number of essential oilsproduced and processed in Bulgaria. You will arrive duringthe peak days of the rose season. For 5 days you will notonly be a witness but an active participant in the processof the production of rose oil, rose water, rose concrete aswell as other products associated with the Bulgarian rosesuch as cosmetics and food.

Second, the Tour will provide an opportunity for delegatesto meet up with producers, processors, importers andexporters from Bulgaria. The people who will meet andgreet you at the factories, who will talk and drink a glassof Rakia with you at dinner, are the owners of thecompanies who have dedicated their entire life to thisindustry and you will have the opportunity to ask themquestions and learn from them.

Third, IFEAT Study Tours enable delegates to meet withother flavour and fragrance industry people from a varietyof countries. There were participants from 20 countries onthe 2016 USA Study Tour.

Fourth, participants will also learn about Bulgaria, whichhas a fascinating culture. Alongside a diverse terrain ofmountains, rivers (including the Danube) and coastline,Bulgaria is a cultural melting pot of Greek, Persian, Slavicand Ottoman influences. Also, it has a rich heritage oftraditional music, dance, crafts, costumes and cuisinesand a rich history; Sofia, the capital dates back to the 5thcentury BC.

Finally, the aim is to achieve these objectives in only aweek out of the office.

Why Bulgaria in May/June? The timing of the Tour has been selected to match theharvesting and processing of rose, the major essential oil inthe country. Rose is one of the world’s most expensivefragrance ingredients and Bulgaria is one of the mostimportant suppliers to the global market.

Climate-wise late May/early June is a very good time to visit;the weather conditions will facilitate mobility.

The RouteDelegates will meet up in Sofia on Sunday 28th May anddepart from Sofia the following Friday 2nd June. During theTour, participants will travel by luxury coach from Sofia toPlovdiv and to Kazaniak and the Rose Valley to visit thevarious operations.

The distances and travelling times are not very long. Thetotal distance is approximately 600 km and the longestjourney will not exceed 2 hours. However, the schedule willbe busy with most time spent visiting factories and fields.You will stay at the best hotels that Bulgaria can offer whileenjoying traditional homemade local country cuisine.

DAY ONE – Sunday 28th May• Participants arrive at Sofia Airport• Guests are transferred to the 5 star Grand Hotel Sofia• Registration and collection of the delegate bag• Welcome Cocktail and tour of the historic city centre in an old tram• Briefing about the days ahead and the tour itinerary• Welcome Dinner with a panoramic view of Sofia by night

DAY TWO – Monday 29th May• Breakfast and check-out • Travel by coach to the city of Plovdiv • Check-in at the Hotel Trimontium • Lecture on the Bulgarian essential oils industry + short presentations by selected Bulgarian companies who are not being visited on the Tour• Lunch in the Old Town of Plovdiv• Tour at the cosmetic company Rosa Impex Ltd. • Walking tour and sightseeing• Dinner at traditional restaurant with a Bulgarian male choir

DAY THREE – Tuesday 30th May• Breakfast and check-out• Travel by coach to the village of Zelenikovo• Visit Kateko Ltd. and Galen-N Ltd. for rose extraction process• Lunch - sponsored by the local companies• Visit Rosa Eterna Ltd. for rose distillation process• Travel to Pavel Banya, a spa town, and check-in at Hotel Sevtopolis• Travel to Kazanlak, the most famous town in the Rose Valley and visit Thracian Kazanlak Tomb, a UNESCO heritage site• Dinner and folk dancing—sponsored by Berje Trakia Ltd.

DAY FOUR – Wednesday 31st May• Breakfast at the hotel• Travel to the village of Tarnichene• Visit Enio Bonchev Production Ltd.— rose picking, organic rose oil and water production, family museum• Catered lunch in the company’s Old Distillery gardens - sponsored by Enio Bonchev Production Ltd.• Travel back to Pavel Banya• Visit Bulattars PC Ltd. for rose distillation process• Cocktail and Dinner - sponsored by Bulattars PC Ltd. and Rosa Eterna Ltd.

DAY FIVE – Thursday 1st June• Breakfast and check- out • Travel to Gurkovo village• Visit Vigalex Ltd. for rose distillation process and lavender container production• Lunch - sponsored by Vigalex Ltd• Travel back to Sofia with a stop at a cosmetics or rose beverage/ food factory• Arrive at the Grand Hotel Sofia and check- in• Cocktail and Gala Farewell Dinner

DAY SIX – Friday 2nd June• Breakfast, check-out and departure

In addition, during the tour delegates will visit various rose gardens,meet local rose farmers as well as talk to gypsy pickers and learninteresting facts about their lifestyle and customs.

Cancellation PolicyA 50% refund will be paid on a cancellation received in writing by the IFEATSecretariat by noon (12.00) GMT on 24th February 2017. No refunds will begiven for cancellations received after the above deadline, irrespective of thereason, including inability to obtain a visa to visit Bulgaria (where appropriate).It is the responsibility of the individual participant to obtain a valid entry visa.It is recommended that the individual participant take out insurance to coverthe risk of not being able to participate because of sickness or for any otherreason whatsoever. If an individual with a confirmed place finds later thathe/she is unable to participate, it will be possible to change the booking nameto that of another company member without incurring a financial penalty(assuming the change is before April 7th 2017). If a suitable companysubstitute cannot be found, however, this implies cancellation, which will besubject to the policy given above.

The organisers reserve the right to change the hotels/restaurants or any otheraspect of the Tour, without notification or reason should the need arise. In theunlikely event that not enough participants register for this Study Tour, IFEATreserves the right to cancel by 28th February 2017 in which case a full refundof tour fees will be made.

THE ITINERARY

STUDY TOUR COSTS, BOOKINGAND CANCELLATION POLICYTOUR COSTEach participant will pay €3,400. This charge per personcovers five nights single room accommodation in goodquality hotels; all programme meals and receptions,transportation and tour guides. IFEAT is not responsiblefor booking flights to and from Sofia, Bulgaria; this is theresponsibility of the individual delegate.

QUALIFICATIONS ANDRESTRICTIONS ON PARTICIPATIONInitially participation is restricted to personnel from IFEATMember Companies and only two persons per MemberCompany will be permitted to attend. In order to qualify, itis necessary that the Member Company has paid itsannual membership subscription fees to date includingthose current at the time of application for a place on thetour and at the date of the tour. There will be threeregistration deadlines: (i) Up to the first deadline only IFEAT Members can register and delegates must be at least 21 years old. (ii) After the first deadline, registration will be opened to industry active non-members, with a maximum of two persons per Non-member Company. (iii) After the second deadline, registration will be open to industry non-active members as well as more than two participants per Member Company.

No accompanying persons are permitted. Bookings will beaccepted by IFEAT on a first come first served basis.

Delegates will only be registered for the Study Tour oncefull payment has been received by IFEAT.

Potential participants will be required to agree to certainconditions prior to their acceptance on the Study Tour(see Terms and Conditions).

LiabilityDescriptions, representations, specifications, photographs and otherparticulars made in this brochure are given for general informationpurposes only. Except to the extent expressly and specificallyprovided for in this brochure, IFEAT shall not be liable for any loss,damage or injury however caused or arising (whether by IFEAT’snegligence or otherwise) from a defect in, failure in, or unsuitabilityfor any purpose of any part of this tour. IFEAT shall not in any eventbe liable for any indirect or consequential loss of profit whatsoeverand howsoever caused. Nothing in this brochure shall exclude orrestrict any liability for death or personal injury resulting fromIFEAT’s negligence. You are strongly recommended to obtainadequate insurance for all aspects of the tour.

Travel InsuranceIt is strongly recommended that personal travel insurance (includingmedical cover) be taken out at the time of making your tourreservation. Travel insurance may facilitate some refund of travelexpenses and the tour fee to be obtained through insurers in theevent of inability to travel due to ill health or other circumstances. Itis very important that you read the small print of any insurancepolicy that you are considering to ensure that the cover that isrequired is the cover that is being offered. IFEAT can take noresponsibility in the event of an inadequate policy having beenpurchased or of the refusal or inability of an insurer to pay the claim.For further information on personal travel insurance please contactyour local insurance broker.

Passport and Visa RequirementsPassports must be valid for at least six months from the date of entry.

For other general information regarding visas then visit the websiteof the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairshttp://www.mfa.bg/en/pages/ 109/index.htmlGenerally speaking, Bulgaria though not a member of the EuropeanUnion’s Schengen Treaty, applies Schengen rules for access toBulgaria, so there is no need for a visa for this tour if you come fromthe many countries which have a visa exemption for the Schengenarea (for a list of countries https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_policy_of_the_Schengen_ Area#As_of_right) or for any personof another country who holds a valid Schengen visa.

Citizens of other countries who do not hold a Schengen visa, need toapply for a Bulgarian visa, this can be quite a slow process, so it isimportant to urge concerned members of the tour to apply as earlyas possible. IFEAT can provide visa information letters to assist inyour application. Processing time varies according to the nationalityof the applicant and local conditions of the issuing department.

Health CareYour doctor or travel clinic is the best source of information aboutpreventive measures, immunisations (including booster doses ofchildhood vaccinations) and disease outbreaks overseas. TheWorld Health Organization (WHO) provides informationfor travellers and also provides useful tips for stayinghealthy and travelling with medicines while overseas.

CurrencyThe Bulgarian Lev is the currency of Bulgaria. Thecurrency code for the Lev is BGN and the currency symbolis лв. The Lev is fixed to the euro, one euro equalling1.95583 Lev. One Lev is therefore worth around €0.50 or£0.46 or $0.56. The Lev is readily convertible into Euros (€)and the US dollar ($). Automated teller machines (ATMs) arewidespread and accept most of the main credit cards such asVisa, MasterCard and American Express.

Bulgarian banknotes come in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50and 100 Lev, and there are also coins. Notes increase in size as theirvalue increases and have similar security features to the currenteuro notes.

ElectricityBulgaria operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz. There are twoassociated plug types, types C and F. Plug type C is the plug, whichhas two round pins, and plug type F is the plug that has two roundpins with two earth clips on the side.

ClimateIn June the average temperature in Sofia is 19°C (65°F) with a low of13°C (55°F) and a high of 24°C (75°F). It is generally warm and sunnyduring the period of the trip, with some heavy rain showers. Therainfall is quite concentrated at certain times of the day, so you canhave a beautiful day with heavy showers in the evening, for example.

IFEAT Study Tours Sub-CommitteeChair: Stephen Pisano (Citrus and Allied Essences Ltd., USA)Members: Ravi Sanganeria (Ultra International Ltd., India)Michael G Boudjouk (Medallion International Inc., USA)Hussein Fakhry (A Fakhry & Co, Egypt)Alain Frix (Symrise, Belgium)Jens-Achim Protzen (Paul Kaders Gmbh, Germany) Susumu Tominaga (Tanemura Co. Ltd, Japan)Michael Torre (F.D. Copeland Ltd, UK)Winnie Yeung (Kallin International Ltd, China)

Local Study Tour Committee Chair: Filip Lissicharov (Enio Bonchev Production Ltd., Sofia, Bulgaria) Andrey Mitov (Vigalex Ltd., Sofia, Bulgaria)Momtchil Mihov (Galen-N Ltd., Sofia, Bulgaria)

IFEAT Study Tour Programme CoordinatorPeter Greenhalgh (UK)

Local Study Tour AgentIFEAT and the Local Committee are working with Balkanova Ltd., alocal tour agency, specialised and well experienced in similar tours:Balkanova Ltd., 114, Dimitar Hadjikotzev, 1421 Sofia, Bulgaria Tel Office: + 359 2 480 9792Mobile: + 359 893 735 556 http://en.balkanova.com/

GENERALINFORMATION