During meetings with business representatives and local authorities along the Black Sea coast, key issues were discussed ahead of the tourist season

Minister of Tourism Irena Georgieva conducted a series of meetings along the Northern and Southern Black Sea Coast with representatives of the tourism sector and local authorities. The discussions focused on preparations for the upcoming summer season, transport connectivity, infrastructure-related matters, and coordination among public institutions and private sector entities.

In Varna, the Minister met with representatives of the Varna Tourist Chamber, "St. St. Constantine and Helena Holding”, the Bulgarian Union of Balneology and SPA Tourism, the Association of Incoming Agencies, the Association of Beach Concessionaires, the Varna Association of Travel Agencies, the National Tourism Board, and representatives of the hotel industry. In Sunny Beach, Sunny Beach AD, the Hoteliers' Club – Nessebar, the Tourism Alliance in the Southeastern Region, the Bulgarian Hotel and Restaurant Association, the Burgas Regional Tourism Association, the Owners' Union – Sunny Beach, the Bulgarian Hotel Association, and other industry organizations participated.

"Sustainable tourism cannot be achieved in the absence of sustainable policies." "In our limited mandate, our responsibility is to ensure predictability and legal certainty in preparation for the upcoming summer season," Minister Georgieva stated.

Among the principal topics addressed at the meetings were the planning of summer flight programs and the need to undertake preparations for the subsequent season at an earlier stage in order to provide greater predictability for the business. Regarding Burgas Airport, it has been confirmed that the runway repairs will be completed in April in accordance with the established schedule, thereby permitting the normal resumption of flight operations. The initiative by municipalities along the southern Black Sea coast to establish a fund to promote flights outside the peak season as a means of improving year-round connectivity was also noted. A similar readiness to coordinate and jointly undertake efforts to expand air connectivity was also expressed by business representatives on the Northern Black Sea Coast.

During the meetings, matters concerning the regulation of the movement of individual vehicles within resort complexes, the legal status of national resorts, and the procedures for issuing visas to workers from third countries were raised. The business sector further emphasized that maintaining high standards of cleanliness, beach safety, and seawater quality is a key factor in preserving the image of the Bulgarian destination.

Minister Georgieva also held meetings with the leadership of Varna Municipality and Burgas Municipality. Discussions were held with Varna’s deputy mayors regarding the city’s international marketing campaigns, participation in tourism fairs, and preparations for the anniversary edition of the “Varna Summer” International Music Festival, as well as the readiness of the infrastructure ahead of the season. In Burgas, Mayor Dimitar Nikolov discussed potential measures to extend the tourist season, including increasing the number of flights outside the summer months and hosting large-scale events.

Representatives of the business community and local authorities on both the Northern and Southern Black Sea coasts stated that ensuring continuity in the operations of the Ministry fosters stability and confidence within the sector in anticipation of the forthcoming peak tourist season.