site.btaTourism Minister, Outgoing Italian Ambassador Look Back on Longstanding Bilateral Relations

Tourism Minister Miroslav Borshosh met with Italian Ambassador to Bulgaria Giuseppina Zarra and her deputy Edoardo Di Paolo on Thursday. The upcoming expiry of the Ambassador's term in April provided an occasion to look back on the successful, longstanding relations between the two countries, the Tourism Ministry said.

"Bulgaria and Italy have huge potential for joint work in tourism. We can offer Italian tourists new opportunities to discover our rich culture, nature and traditions," Minister Borshosh said.

Noting Bulgaria's significant tourism potential, Ambassador Zarra said: "Bulgaria has incredible natural and cultural resources which are worth being discovered and appreciated by tourists. There are countless opportunities to develop various types of tourism which can attract even more Italians and tourists from other countries." To use the existing potential, it is crucial to invest in Bulgaria's connectivity and upgrade the country's infrastructure to facilitate tourists' access, she said.

Bulgaria and Italy maintain sound and constructive trade and economic ties, and Italy remains among this country's leading partners, the press release said. Minister Borshosh sees considerable potential to expand cooperation in various fields, including tourism, and to boost Italian investment in the Bulgarian economy.

In 2024, Bulgaria recorded 164,000 tourist visits from Italy, with Italian guests at local accommodation centres increasing by 6.4% compared with 2023. Travellers from the Mediterranean country come here mainly for the purposes of cultural and business tourism, seeking a balance between authenticity and comfort, the press release said.