Minister Angelkova presented the priorities and strategy in tourism before representatives of the Christian Democratic Union in the Stuttgart area

Germany was a top market for international tourists in our country last summer, we are expecting a circa 5% growth in summer 2018

The Minister of Tourism, Nikolina Angelkova, presented the priorities and strategy in tourism before representatives of the Christian Democratic Union in the Stuttgart region. The delegation was led by the Chair of the provincial CDU chapter, Dr. Joachim Pfeiffer, the participants also include a Union chair for the Stuttgart area, as well as former and current mayors.

Germany was a top market for international tourists in our country last summer. During June-September 2017 over 700 000 German visitors came to our country. This summer we are expecting a circa 5% growth of German tourists, stated Minister Angelkova before the guests.

During the first four months of this year travel of international tourists from Germany were over 18 000. Last year they exceeded 870 000, registering a 5.3% growth. Thus, our country ranks third in the top markets for inbound tourism to the country.

The minister noted that Germany is a priority market for us and that we are working actively to develop it. We have fruitful cooperation with the large-scale tour operators, as well as a dedicated marketing campaign. She outlined to the guests Bulgaria’s ability to offer a rich tourism product, from sea and winter tourism, through cultural-historical and spa tourism, to golf and adventure tourism.

Minister Angelkova also touched upon the share of Bulgarian tourism in the country’s GDP – circa 13%, noting that the sector is a top 5 industry. In 2017 revenues from international tourism travel to Bulgaria amounted to EUR 3.5 bill., registering a 9.3% growth compared to 2016. It is very important that our country is a secure destination, which gives us solid ground for sustainable development of the sector, the Minister noted further. 

One of the government’s priorities is to reduce the administrative burden; in pursuance of that policy the Ministry of Tourism introduced changes in the secondary legislation, thus considerably relieving the operation of businesses, explained Minister Angelkova. She clarified that amendments to the Tourism Act removed 19 types of documents, thus facilitating certification and the registration regimes.

Jointly with 11 countries in the Balkan regions we are developing a tourism product to attract remote market tourists, Minister Angelkova informed further, explaining that through the Balkan Route project the region will promote its cultural-historical heritage. That initiative is one of the successes achieved during Bulgaria’s presidency of the EU Council, the Minister commented further.

Responding to questions from the guests about the tourism strategy, Minister Angelkova said that there are plans to attract more guests to the country’s regions and interior. The institution’s purpose is to establish our country as a year-round destination. Both the Ministry and local governments have a number of activities conducive to the development of high-grade tourism product, Minister Angelkova said further. She cited as an example the multitude of sporting events on a global scale, which are hosted in our country, as well as the selection of Plovdiv as a European Capital of Culture next year. These help promote the opportunities for diverse tourism in Bulgaria, we have many initiatives to that end, added the minister.