Minister Angelkova to David Ruetz, Executive Director of ITB Berlin: Germanyis in the top 3 of the leading tourism-generating markets for Bulgaria

Germanyis in the top 3 of the leadingincoming tourism markets forBulgaria. In 2017 German tourists in our countryexceeded 870 000, growing by 5.3 percent compared to a year before. Thus said the Minister of Tourism, Nikolina Angelkova,during a work meeting with David Ruetz, executive director of ITB Berlin. She noted that in 2017 the international visitors to Bulgaria exceeded by a million the country’s populace, reaching 8.882 mil. It is a 7.6 percent compared to the previous record breaking year of 2016.

Minister Angelkovaadded that results from the first month of 2018 were also promising. In Januarythe total number of international tourist visits toBulgariawas nearly 438 000, registering an 18.8% growth compared tothe same month of the year before. During the first month of 2018 visitors from Germany were nearly 12 000, increasing by 7.7% compared to January last year.

Minister Angelkovapresented to her interlocutor the tourismopportunities inBulgaria. Sea tourism is traditional for the country and is the type most in-demand among German tourists. There are more than 40 000artefacts in our country, which is a basis to successfully develop cultural-historicaltourism. The Minister also highlighted the natural riches in our country - nearly 600 mineral springs and some 40 mountain ranges. These provide the premises for marketing a high-grade product in spa, medical spa, wellness, winter, ski, eco, and rural tourism.

Mr. David Ruetz congratulated Bulgaria on the long-standing and consistent participation in ITB Berlinand indicated that it is a venue for Bulgaria to be promoted as a tourism destinationnot only to German professionals and amateurs, but also to representatives coming from countriesacross the globe.