The Ministry of Tourism has initiated an active dialogue with the Ministry of Transport and Communications, Black Sea municipalities, municipalities with international airports, and airport operators to improve connectivity and promotion

“Tourism and transportation go hand in hand. The issue of connectivity will be key next year as we work to improve Bulgaria’s accessibility and increase tourist traffic.” This was said by Minister of Tourism Dr. Ilin Dimitrov during a meeting with Minister of Transport and Communications Georgi Peev, mayors and representatives of local authorities from Sofia, Plovdiv, and the Black Sea municipalities, as well as with the heads of the country’s leading airport operators—“SOF Connect,” “Fraport Twin Star Airport Management,” and “Plovdiv Airport.”

Minister Dimitrov presented the Ministry of Tourism’s vision for the development of air connectivity and tourism marketing. Among the measures discussed was the creation of a central fund for connectivity and advertising, through which, in collaboration with municipalities, marketing initiatives would be implemented to attract airlines, launch new air routes, and promote Bulgaria in key international markets.

“We are taking the first decisive steps toward cooperation between the tourism and transportation sectors, which is of key importance. Our goal is to support the tourism sector and the municipalities with all the resources at our disposal,” said Georgi Peev, Minister of Transportation and Communications. He pledged to support the program to boost airport traffic, which includes discounts and financial incentives for airlines.

They discussed ways to use revenue from the tourism tax more effectively to support marketing and transportation connectivity for tourist destinations. Planned changes to the Unified Tourist Information System (ESTI) were also presented, aimed at improving accountability in the sector and implementing European requirements for short-term rentals of accommodations.

The Minister of Tourism, Dr. Ilin Dimitrov, presented the large-scale measures aimed at revitalizing the strategic German market through more flights and increased advertising. The “Marshall Plan” includes active collaboration with tour operators, hoteliers, airports, and influencers.

“We are also expanding our activities in the markets of Poland, the Czech Republic, Israel, the United Kingdom, and Romania,” the minister said.

He also highlighted Bulgaria’s upcoming hosting of the Eurovision Song Contest, which will raise the country’s profile among an international audience. More than 1,000 journalists are expected to visit the country.

The two ministers committed to holding meetings with municipalities and airport operators every six months to review progress in tourism and regional development and to plan future joint actions.