site.btaBulgaria and UK to Sign Agreement Outlining Long-Term Goals, Partnership in Tourism

Bulgaria and UK are beginning the preparation for signing an agreement in the field of tourism that will outline the long-term goals and partnership between the two countries. That transpired from an official meeting between Bulgarian Tourism Minister Zaritsa Dinkova and Sir John Whittingdale, Minister of State for Media, Tourism and Creative Industries of the UK, Dinkova's Ministry reported Tuesday.

The UK is among Bulgaria's priority tourism markets, and not just in the summer, Dinkova said. British tourists are among the preferred for the Bulgarian winter resorts of Bansko, Pamporovo, and Borovets. According to tour operators, there has been an increase in bookings for this winter season.

"I believe that our winter resorts will attract a bigger number of tourists not only with the excellent conditions for ski tourism but also with international events, such as the Alpine Ski World Cup in Bansko and the Snowboard Ski World Cup in Pamporovo in early 2024," Dinkova said.

In addition to winter and summer resorts, Bulgaria offers a rich variety of holiday opportunities, she said, mentioning spa destinations, golf, cultural, and culinary tourism.

Dinkova presented the first of its kind reform in the way public money is spent on advertising tourist services. In her words, this reform will help British and Bulgarian tour operators work more actively and with targeted efforts, thus not only improving the bilateral partnership but also restoring the trust in Bulgaria as a secure destination for year-round tourism.

Sir Whittingdale said that Bulgaria is still not very familiar as a market to British tourists, but that may change through the initiatives the Bulgarian Tourism Ministry is planning. "I understand that Bulgaria can offer much more than a summer holiday to British tourists. Personally, I am interested in cultural tourism as well as in the culinary and wine offers," he said.

In view of the significance of the British market for Bulgarian tourism, the Ministry's initiatives on that market will increase, the press release reads.

In early December, a road show for the UK will be held in cooperation with Aviareps and Fraport. Four events with a commercial focus will be conducted in Newcastle, Manchester, Birmingham, and London; there will also be one event with a media focus in London. Every event will feature bilateral meetings between Bulgarian and British tour operators and hotel owners, the Bulgarian Tourism Ministry said.