Minister Angelkova meets Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Finance, Mohammed al-Jadaan

The Minister of Tourism, Nikolina Angelkova, talked with Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Finance, Mohammed al-Jadaan, during the Global Economic Forum in Davos. They discussed the investment opportunities and confirmed the agreements reached during the Riyadh visit of the Bulgarian delegation led by the Prime Minister, Boyko Borisov. The progress made in the cooperation between the two countries was also discussed.

Over 8,4 mil. international tourists visited Bulgaria during the January-November period of last year, said Minister Angelkova. She explained that a 7,3 percent growth was registered, compared to the same period of the year before. Revenues from international tourism amount to BGN 6,6 bil., growing by 9,1 per cent, compared to the January-November period of 2016.

Bulgaria also registered one of the most significant GDP growths in Europe - 3,9% on an annual basis for Q3 of 2017, noted the Minister of Tourism, adding that the Ministry is working actively to promote the country as a year-round tourism destination. Another major objective is attraction of investors in tourism. For that reason, the institution created a Map of Investment Projects, which is intensively promoted by the Ministry of Tourism to international investors. The map includes over 30 sites.

Opportunities to promote the cultural-historical heritage of Bulgaria and Saudi Arabia were discussed during the meeting. The two countries will exchange experience in regards to a number of marketing projects and advertising in tourism.

In October 2016 a Memorandum of Understanding for Cooperation in Tourism was signed between Republic of Bulgaria and Saudi Arabia. The document’s objective is for the countries to present their tourism potential, encourage mutual investments, support joint tourism and culture events, and actively cooperate on initiatives of international institutions, such as the UN World Tourism Organization.