site.btaTourism Ministry: Bulgaria and Romania Pool Efforts to Boost Joint Tourism Initiatives

Bulgaria's caretaker Tourism Minister Evtim Miloshev and Romania's Minister of Economy, Entrepreneurship, and Tourism, Ștefan-Radu Oprea, discussed opportunities for joint tourism development between the two countries during an official meeting in Bucharest, the Ministry of Tourism said here on Monday.

Miloshev spoke of the importance of regional cooperation. "For the world, the Balkans are a unified destination with a rich history and cultural heritage that we can offer together. The Thracian and Byzantine heritage, along with UNESCO sites, represent a huge potential for a joint tourism product that can attract visitors from Asia and America. Together, our opportunities know no borders."

An agreement was made to set up a Tourism Committee between Bulgaria and Romania, as suggested by Miloshev. This committee will bring together institutions, regulatory bodies, and the private sector from both countries to create and promote shared tourist routes. The goal is to market Bulgaria and Romania as one destination for cultural, religious, and winter tourism.

"Our cooperation in winter tourism also has some serious potential," Miloshev added. As a sign of deepening cooperation, he invited Oprea for a joint opening of the winter season in Bulgaria, with the Bulgarian minister set to also attend the opening of the winter season in Romania. Additionally, Romania will host Bulgaria during the upcoming Târgul de Turism al României exhibition in Bucharest in November 2024.

From the Romanian side, Oprea spoke of the importance of an integrated product and encouraged joint efforts: "Together, the world will hear us better. Joint tourism packages will allow us to reach a wider range of tourists. I believe our cooperation in tourism will bring significant benefits to both countries."

Key decisions were made at the meeting, including the signing of a memorandum of cooperation in tourism between Bulgaria and Romania. Both ministers expressed their readiness to unite efforts to establish sister relationships between Bulgarian and Romanian resorts.