More Than One in Three Bulgarians Aged 18 or Over Have Practised Some Form of Health Tourism

Diana Dukovska

Deputy Tourism Minister Irena Georgieva at the 11th Annual Congress of the Bulgarian Union of Balneology and SPA Tourism (BUBSPA), Burgas, Sept. 9, 2024 (BTA Photo/Hristo Stefanov)

Burgas, on the Black Sea,

09.09.2024 16:58

(BTA)

Slightly over 35% of Bulgarians aged 18 or over have practised various forms of health tourism in this country, Deputy Tourism Minister Irena Georgieva told the 11th Annual Congress of the Bulgarian Union of Balneology and SPA Tourism (BUBSPA). It is taking place in Burgas on September 9 and 10 under the patronage of President Rumen Radev.

Georgieva quoted a two-year survey which found that health tourism is one of the top five most preferred forms in Bulgaria. The survey also found that health tourism gets five points on a scale of two to six.

Georgieva said: "Many people seek ways to invest in their health. Health tourism is a way to offer a quality tourism product. It is part of our strategy for developing tourism until 2030."

Staff shortages are a challenge to the sector, the Deputy Minister said. In her view, Bulgaria needs to pursue a consistent targeted policy to solve this problem.

А Tourism Ministry survey conducted in 16 municipalities actively developing SPA and wellness tourism in the interior of the country found that they were visited by nearly 850,000 tourists in the first eight months of the year.

/RY/