site.btaBulgaria Hosts Reception of Roman Thermal Spas of Europe Initiative in ITB Berlin

Bulgaria Hosts Reception of Roman Thermal Spas of Europe Initiative in ITB Berlin

Sofia, March 9 (BTA) - At ITB Berlin, the most significant travel trade fair in the world, Bulgaria hosted a reception at its booth as a country participating in the EU project Roman Thermal Spas of Europe, the Bulgarian Tourism Ministry said in a press release Thursday. The reception was opened by Bulgarian caretaker Tourism Minister Stella Baltova, Tobias Bielenstein, Executive Director of the Roman Thermal Spas of Europe, and Siika Katsarova, Vice President of the European Spas Association and deputy head of the Bulgarian Union of Balneology and Spa Tourism.

Bielenstein said at the opening of the reception that the chief goal of the project is to set up a network of destination in Europe that build on the experience of the ancient Romans in the use of remedial mineral waters. Baltova said that the place of Bulgaria in the project recognizes the country's wealth of mineral water springs and cultural heritage landmarks.

Founded in 2015 and initially co-funded by the European Union the Roman Thermal Spas of Europe is a joint initiative of European thermal spas and health resorts sharing a common Roman origin. The concept of the project was developed by three organizations: the European Spas Association, the German FIT Reisen tour operator and the Euroespa company. Participating in the project are Spain, Greece, France, Germany, Italy, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria. The main idea is that many European countries have long traditions in balneology and spa tourism while the common thing connecting them is the Roman history which makes up an important part of the European cultural heritage. All destinations have kept up this heritage vivid and visible until the present day. Based of the intersection of spa and cultural tourism they offer unique combinations of European culture, heritage, spas and health. The mission of the initiative is to promote the member destinations by providing services and tailored travel packages to tour operators worldwide.

Katsarova said that more than 260 facilities in Bulgaria offer spa tourism services. She said that the destinations in the initiative do not compete against each other but are presented as part of a common heritage. If a visitor goes to Bulgarian spa destination and likes it, next year they could go to a similar place in Germany, Katsarova said.

The project has two big target groups: holiday markers from Europe, and tourists from Japan, China and the United States.