site.btaTourism Minister Discusses Opening of Direct Charter Line with Japan

Tourism Minister Evtim Miloshev held a series of meetings in Japan on September 27, 2024, aimed at expanding bilateral cooperation in the field of tourism, the ministry's press office said on Friday. The Speaker of the House of Representatives of Japan, Fukushiro Nukaga, received Miloshev at his official residence in Tokyo. The meeting was also attended by the Japanese Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Tetsuo Saito.

The main topic of the talks was the increase of Japanese tourists to Bulgaria through the launch of a direct air service between the two countries. In recent years, Bulgaria has reported minimal growth in Japanese tourist arrivals, which is grossly inadequate compared to the real potential and great opportunities in this market, the press release read. 

The possibility for Bulgaria to provide integrated tourism packages to include other Balkan countries was considered.

Miloshev raised the idea of creating a Japanese garden in Bulgaria to commemorate 115 years of friendship between the two nations.

During his visit to Tokyo, Miloshev also met with the President of the Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA), Hiroyuki Takahashi. In 2024, Bulgaria is participating with its largest ever national pavilion at a tourism exhibition in Japan.

Emphasis was placed on strengthening cultural and economic ties between the two countries, focusing on the partnerships between the twin cities of Plovdiv - Okayama and Kazanlak - Fukushima. They were identified as a good foundation for the development of tourist and cultural ties between the two countries.

In the framework of his visit Miloshev also met with Hanako Jimi, Japan's Minister for Expo Osaka 2025. Bulgaria is planning to participate in the expo, where it will also focus on tourism.

Miloshev gave special attention to the cooperation with the Japanese media and specifically with Fuji TV and Kanagawa TV, where he made official visits due to the significant role they play in promoting Bulgaria in Japan.