Minister Angelkova discusses the development potential of the tourism sector in Stara Zagora with local businesses

The National Program for Support to the Municipalities for the Effective Management of Mineral Water Sources can provide a fresh development boost in the tourism sector for municipalities such as Stara Zagora. Thus said the Minister of Tourism, Nikolina Angelkova, at a meeting with tourism businesses in the region.

The region is starting to regain its reputation as a balneo- and spa centre. This is also confirmed by the data for the period of January-September 2016 – nearly 100 000 visitors have made night-stays in the region, a 6% growth compared to last year, Minister Angelkova announced. The night-stays for the same period of 2016 totalled 278 000 – a circa 7% growth (Bulgarians being some 235 000 – a 9% growth). Total revenues from night-stays in the region exceed BGN 10,5 mil.

Stara Zagora Municipality has good facilities in the hotel complexes in the city, at the Stara Zagora Mineral Baths, and at the village, with the average annual occupancy rate being 16% for the village hotels and 40% for the rest. In recent years a trend has been observed in the reorganization and modernization of former sanatoria and prophylactic treatment establishments of the Stara Zagora Mineral Baths, which transform into state-of-the-art spa hotels, it was announced during the meeting. „We will support the Municipality’s efforts to align the СПА tourism with the cultural-historical one – this will keep tourists longer in the region and is the basis for attracting more international tourists“, Nikolina Angelkova added.