site.btaTourism Minister, Campsite Association Chair Discuss Need for Reforms to Support Sustainable Camping Tourism

Tourism Minister Miroslav Borshosh has met with the chairperson of the Bulgarian Campsite Association, Veselin Valev, to discuss the need for legislative and regulatory changes aimed at promoting sustainable and nature-friendly camping tourism in Bulgaria, the Tourism Ministry’s press centre said on Thursday.

According to the Association, there are currently 180 known campsites in Bulgaria, but only 50 are legally registered and almost 95% of them are rated one star. While campsite ratings in this country are capped at three stars, other European countries offer four- and five-star options.

Minister Borshosh said that major reforms are needed, especially when it comes to regulating free camping. He also stressed the need for “a revision of campsite categorization to better align with modern standards and meet tourists’ expectations”. Camping tourism is gaining popularity globally, the Minister noted, adding that Bulgaria has the potential to become a competitive destination in this sector.

The discussions also focused on the need for a guide for local authorities that would ensure that construction permits for campsites are appropriately issued. The sides also agreed on the importance of standardizing municipal regulations to streamline administrative processes and provide clarity for investors and tourists. Borshosh and Valev also discussed the potential introduction of mandatory logs of overnight stays and bookings as a step towards curbing illegal campsites.

Valev said that only about 30% of the campsites are located along the coast, while “the rest offer unique tourism opportunities across inland areas - by rivers, lakes, and in the mountains”.

Minister Borshosh highlighted the importance of camping tourism for the economy, describing it as one of the most dynamically developing segments in the industry. The Tourism Ministry will continue working actively with the industry to support sustainable and high-quality camping destinations.

In line with these efforts, the Tourism Ministry will support for yet another year the largest camping tourism exhibition, Camping & Caravaning Expo, which will take place from April 11 to 13. Deputy Minister Pavlin Petrov will open the event on Friday. The Ministry and the organizers of the event will unveil the print edition of the 2025 Camping Guide of Bulgaria, featuring all campsites in this country that have been legally categorized and listed in the National Tourism Register as of January 1, 2025, the Ministry’s press release said. Available in paper and digital formats, the guide is published by Camping.BG with support from the Tourism Ministry.