Minister Prodanov: We are increasing the promotion of balneo tourism in Poland

“We are deepening the partnership between Bulgaria and Poland because the tourism potential of both countries is extremely high. Immediately after the end of the active summer season, we will launch a campaign to promote health tourism in Poland and make Bulgaria a year-round destination. This is a policy for the country, a business opportunity and health for the people.” This was announced by the Minister of Tourism Hristo Prodanov at a briefing after a meeting with the State Secretary at the Ministry of Sport and Tourism of the Republic of Poland Andrzej Gut-Mostowy.

“Over the years there was an outflow of Polish tourists, then this changed and last year there was a serious increase in visits. According to preliminary forecasts, charter flights will be operated from 12 Polish cities to the Black Sea coast,” Minister Prodanov announced and added that he expects a double increase of tourists.

On his part, Gut-Mostowy noted that hard work is being done to exchange tourists between the two countries. According to him, the Bulgarian mineral springs will be promoted among Polish tourists and expectations are for an increase in visits between the two countries. 

Minister Prodanov and Minister Gut-Mostowy opened a Bulgarian-Polish Business Forum and participated in an expert meeting of the two ministries in Sofia. Secretary of State Gut-Mostowy highlighted the opportunities for Polish tourists for holidays in Bulgaria, which not only offers a good holiday on the Black Sea, but also has many other riches in other areas - the mountains, healing mineral waters and active tourism, as well as a very rich culture and history, which adds a perfect complement to the tourists’ stay in Bulgaria.

Minister Prodanov sent a message to the tourists from Poland that Bulgaria is a safe and peaceful place for holidays. Secretary of State Gut-Mostowy noted that the security of tourists is one of the fundamental factors that we want to highlight so that tourism in our two countries can be safe and secure.

Bulgaria will use the Polish experience to introduce a voucher system for holidays. “We are in complete agreement with our coalition partners that the voucher system should be introduced in our country and we are actively working to make it happen. Another important topic is the creation of a unified tourism organisation, because business and the state need to work together to achieve good results. At the moment there are more than 200 organizations in the tourism industry,” the Bulgarian minister said.

Among the topics discussed by the two delegations was the introduction in Bulgaria of a guarantee fund to compensate tourists in case of failed trips and holidays. Minister Prodanov was adamant that during the coronavirus crisis the need for the creation of such fund was proven, especially with the sudden suspension of travel and in cases when tour operators fall into difficulties.

In the talks of the expert group, apart from Minister Prodanov and his colleague Andrzej Gut-Mostowy, took part Deputy Minister Irena Georgieva, Ilin Dimitrov - Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Tourism, Nikolay Kostov - Attaché for Tourism of the Republic of Bulgaria in Poland, Karol Biedrzycki - Advisor to Secretary of State Gut-Mostowy, experts from the Bulgarian and Polish side.