site.btaBulgarian Tourism and Transport Ministers Discuss Destination Balkans Vision with Montenegrin Counterparts

A meeting was held in Sofia, on the Bulgarian Tourism Ministry's initiative, to mark the beginning of talks on Destination Balkans and the creation of a common tourism product and direct air connectivity between Sofia and Podgorica, the Bulgarian Ministry of Tourism said here on Saturday.

At the meeting, Minister of Tourism Miroslav Borshosh and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Communications Grozdan Karadzhov discussed with Montenegro's Tourism Minister Simonida Kordic and Transport Minister Maja Vukicevic the steps to open a direct flight between the two Balkan countries. The ministers from both countries agreed to form a working group from the four ministries to actively work towards the opening of such a flight.

Minister Borshosh stressed that cooperation between the Balkan countries is an important condition for better positioning of the region and building its positive image on the global tourism stage.

"With the signing of the joint plan with Montenegro and the concept of Destination Balkans, we show that we can work together to create an integrated tourism product that will attract tourists from distant markets," he said. 

Minister Borshosh added that the Balkans are not just a geographical region - they are a bridge between cultures, history and traditions. Proof of this are the UNESCO monuments, which include ten nature and cultural sites in Bulgaria alone.

It was underlined at the meeting that an integrated tourism product between the Balkan countries will be beneficial not only for tourism, but also for the overall economic development of the region. 

Destination Balkans aims to unite the efforts of the Balkan countries in offering common tourism packages aimed at attracting visitors from distant countries, such as Japan, USA, China, India, Latin America, etc. In addition, the initiative to create air connectivity between the Balkan capitals, such as the opening of a direct Sofia - Podgorica line in 2025, will facilitate not only tourist travel but also business links, consolidating the region as a single, competitive and sustainable destination.

Bulgarian Transport Minister Karadzhov said that at the level his Ministry, he would provide full support and assistance for the launch of a direct flight between Sofia and Podgorica. 

"The European market is liberalized and we have all the conditions for a flight between us, and it would significantly help the development of tourism and economic contacts," Karadzhov stressed. 

He noted that the aim is to attract more passengers so that the flight is economically viable. "On the other hand, Sofia Airport offers price reductions for services when travelling between newly developing destinations, which is a good incentive for companies," Grozdan Karadzhov added.

Montenegro's Tourism Minister Kordic, stressed that authenticity, hospitality and contact with nature are only part of what the Balkan tourism product can offer to tourists. "Tourists need a digital detox that the Balkans can offer them," she said. 

"Air connectivity is very important for us and it is important for this to happen as soon as possible," said Montenegrin Transport Minister Vukicevic.

The meeting between the tourism and transport ministers of the two countries is an important step towards the implementation of the Destination Balkans vision and is a key element for the sustainable development of tourism in the region.