site.btaDeputy Chair of Bulgarian Tour Operators: Tourism Collaboration is Strengthening

Collaboration between businesses, tour operators, local authorities, and the media is improving, said Daniela Stoeva, Deputy Chair of the Association of Bulgarian Tour Operators and Travel Agents and the association's representative in the European Travel Agents' and Tour Operators' Associations. She was speaking at the 10th Working Meeting between tourism businesses and local authorities, held here from November 13 to 15.

"The fact that we are meeting for the tenth year in a row shows the event's sustainability and its recognition by businesses, Bulgarian tour operators, and municipalities in Bulgaria that are developing tourism products," Stoeva said. "We have come together for the anniversary meeting in the town of Sandanski, which provides a great mix of cultural and natural attractions for tourism development, such as mineral water, cultural heritage, fine wines, and stunning nature," she noted.

She added that a key goal of the event was to support the process of collaboration among businesses, tour operators, local authorities, and the media to ensure successful partnerships. "I definitely see progress. Effective communication is crucial. Sometimes a municipality has a tourism product it isn't even aware of. We understand what tourists are looking for, both in Bulgaria and around the world," Stoeva said. 

Also attending the meeting were BTA Director General Kiril Valchev; Sandanski Mayor Atanas Stoyanov; Daniela Mihalkova, an expert from the Ministry of Tourism; Anton Penev, Director of the Tourism municipal enterprise in Sofia Municipality; and representatives from various municipalities, including Sofia, Varna (on the Black Sea), Burgas (on the Black Sea), Vidin (on the Danube), and Gabrovo (Central Bulgaria). 

The forum is supported by Sandanski Municipality and the Ministry of Tourism.