site.btaBusiness Is Fully Prepared to Join the Euro Area, Tourism Board Member Valkanov Says

Business is fully prepared and eager to join the euro area, Nikolay Valkanov, a member of the Board of Directors of the National Tourism Board (NTB), said here on Tuesday, speaking at a discussion on Bulgarian Tourism and Bulgaria’s Accession to the Euro Area, organized by the NTB.

"Businesses have been prepared to operate in euros for a long time; in practice, we are already doing it," Valkanov said, recalling that the tourism sector has in the past conducted business in Deutsche Marks, US dollars, and euros. He noted that a large share of the sector’s activity now involves partners in Europe and worldwide, where the euro is the principal currency.

Turning to Bulgaria’s readiness for entering the eurozone, Valkanov was optimistic but underscored the need for an effective information campaign. 

Among the advantages of adopting the euro, he highlighted increased investment flows and a rise in tourist arrivals to Bulgaria.

At the same forum, Tourism Minister Miroslav Borshosh said Bulgaria is behind schedule in implementing its information campaign for the euro changeover, while Polina Karastoyanova, the head of the National Tourism Board, said that joining the euro area is the government’s number one priority and would represent a dramatic change for the Bulgarian society and economy.