BTA :: Bulgaria Joining Schengen by Land Is Clear Sign of Security in Tourism

Bulgaria Joining Schengen by Land Is Clear Sign of Security in Tourism - Minister Miloshev

Dimitrina Solakova, Ekaterina Toteva

Caretaker Tourism Minister Evtim Miloshev speaking at the BG Tourism - Winter 2024/2025 forum, village of Banya, Razlog Municipality, Southern Bulgaria, December 13, 2024 (BTA Photo/Krassimir Nikolov)

Banya village, Southern Bulgaria,

13.12.2024 17:41

(BTA)

Today, more than ever, Bulgarian tourism needs to assert its identity with confidence and self-assurance after joining Schengen by land as of January 1, 2025, caretaker Tourism Minister Evtim Miloshev said here on Friday. For this reason, he believes that the the first message to be sent is that Bulgaria is a safe destination. Miloshev was speaking at a forum on BG Tourism - Winter 2024/2025, organized by the Bulgarian News Agency with the partnership of the Bulgarian Union of Balneology and Spa Tourism (BUBSPA).

"In the context of global crises and conflicts, Bulgaria is establishing itself as a safe and stable place for tourism. Here guests find peace, hospitality and safety - values that are of paramount importance in today's world. Bulgaria is a place where tourists can feel safe and welcome," the Tourism Minister said.

He underscored that Bulgaria offers a unique quality-price ratio. "Our tourist product has no equal in the region and beyond: a combination of affordable prices and high quality services," the Minister said. In his words, with regard to the abolished VAT discount for restaurants and sports facilities, which in particular affects the prices of ski passes, when looking at the entire tourist package, the quality-price ratio is a great advantage for Bulgarian tourism. This makes the country an attractive destination both for traditional markets and for new, more demanding tourists, Miloshev said.

He said that the focus in 2025 will be on Bulgaria being a destination where the experience surpasses the price, adding that this is also a message of sorts.

According to the Minister, what makes Bulgaria truly different is the diversity of experiences and rich cultural heritage. Bulgaria is one of the few countries that offer such a wealth of experiences gathered in one place. Bulgaria is nature, culture, history, traditions, cuisine, wine and modernity all rolled into one, Miloshev said and said that next year will continue the development of these unique assets: from the sea to the mountains, from ancient sites to modern festivals.

These three messages require institutions, businesses, and society to communicate with confidence and pride about what they are creating, Miloshev told the forum.

Miloshev underscored that it is important to have a regular government with a strong parliamentary majority; to have people who can state policies, which are primarily done through the budget, and to bring the conversation about tourism to the national level.

"Tourism can and always is an engine of economic development and growth, but it is also a source of national pride," the Minister summed up.

This is the sixth edition of BTA's initiative of forums, which are held twice every year at the beginning of the summer and winter tourist seasons to discuss the messages in the presentation of tourism in Bulgaria in the coming season with representatives of state and municipal institutions, the tourism business, NGOs, scientists and experts. The list of participants in the latest forum includes the President’s advisor for environment, Rossitsa Karamfilova-Blagova, BTA Director General Kiril Valchev, BUBSPA Ambassador Meglena Plugchieva, BUBSPA Secretary General Tsvetina Ivanova, and local mayors. Also participating were Bulgarian National Radio Director General Milen Mitev, Anton Andonov, member of the Board of Bulgarian National Television, Dimitar Anestev, producer of news at bTV, Alexander Raykov, producer of the newsroom planning at Nova TV, Council of Electronic Media member Gabriela Naplatanova, as well as rectors and representatives of three universities, hotel and restaurant businesses.

/DS/