site.btaBulgaria Participates in 11th Intourmarket Travel Fair in Moscow

Bulgaria Participates in 11th Intourmarket Travel Fair in Moscow

Moscow/Sofia, March 19 (BTA) - Bulgaria has taken centre stage at the Intourmarket International Travel Fair in Moscow, which opened on March 19 and will be on until March 22. Bulgaria's stand was the first one visited by Oleg Safonov, head of the Russian Federal Agency for Tourism. He met with Bulgarian Tourism Minister Nikolina Angelkova and the participants at the Bulgarian stand. The meeting was attended by Bulgarian Ambassador to Russia Boyko Kotsev.

Minister Angelkova noted that Bulgarian business has reported an increased interest on the Russian market after the intensive meetings and joint initiatives in the past year. Angelkova and Safonov discussed possibilities for a more ambitious presentation of the Bulgarian tourist products. So far interest in some segments has increased by up to 30per cent. Ambassador Kotsev said that visas for Russian tourists are processed very promptly due to the strict organization at the Embassy.

Angelkova, Safonov and Vladimir Chernikov, head of Moscow City Department of National Policy, Inter-Regional Relations and Tourism agreed to present Bulgaria at a
tourism fair in Moscow in June.

Data about heightened interest in Bulgaria on the Russian tourist market was confirmed by Maya Lomidze, chair of the Association of Tour Operators of Russia. She said there was a 30 per cent increase in early bookings and many tour operators are redirecting to Bulgaria, with 30 new tour operators have applied for accreditation to work with Bulgaria.

Bulgaria's stand takes up 104 sq m. It showcases opportunities for tourism in Bulgaria and gives a taste of Bulgarian vines, folk performances and workshops in icon painting, carper weaving and needlework

Intourmarket is organized by the Federal Agency for Tourism, the Federal Air Transport Agency, the Russian Hotel Association and other leading organizations in the sector. In 2015, some 1,450 companies from 138 countries took part in the fair and visitors were 80,000. Bulgaria is participating for 11th successive year in the exhibition.