site.btaTourism Minister Says Bulgaria Aims to Become Year-Round Tourist Destination

The 27th East Mediterranean International Tourism & Travel Exhibition (EMITT) which opened in Istanbul on Tuesday has brought together strong competitors.

Leading tourism countries such as Italy, Egypt, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Far East countries and Balkan countries including Bulgaria, which is Turkiye's closest neighbour, have large stands and impressive expositions, EMITT Exhibition Director Hacer Aydin told BTA.

Turkish tourism expert Mustafa Ozgun told BTA he was impressed by the Bulgarian stand: "Unlike previous years, this time Bulgaria has a very strong presence, with diverse, interesting attractions."

An article about the exhibition in the Milliyet daily says Bulgaria is seeking ways to ease visa issuance for Turkish citizens so as to increase the flow of tourists. Statistics show a 30% annual increase in the flow of Turkish citizens to destinations in the Eastern Mediterranean - the Greek islands, Algeria and Egypt, as well as to the Far East. Turkiye's ambition is to attract more than 60 million tourists in 2024. In this highly competitive environment, Bulgaria is seeking to become firmly established as a tourist destination.

Interviewed by BTA, Bulgarian Tourism Minister Zaritsa Dinkova said the aim is to affirm Bulgaria as a safe and attractive four-season destination. "Given the huge potential of the Turkish market, we need to find a way to tap it and ease the access of Turkish tourists to Bulgaria. Talks are underway with Turkish representatives and with the Bulgarian Ministries of Foreign Affairs and of Interior to facilitate and expedite visa issuing to Turkish tourists. I believe the lifting of air border controls in Bulgaria [as of March 31] for the Schengen area will allow Turkish tourists holding Schengen visas to enter Bulgaria more easily," said Dinkova.