Bulgaria will increasingly attract tourists from China and other distant markets through joint Balkan routes involving several countries. This was stated by the Minister of Tourism, Nikolina Angelkova, in an interview with the bTV morning show. She described the first such meeting of EU tourism ministers on tourism and economic growth under the Bulgarian Presidency of the EU Council as very successful, adding that it was highly appreciated by Bieńkowska, European Commissioner for the single market, industry, entrepreneurship and SMEs, Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary General of the UN World Tourism Organization. The forum brought together a record number of more than 520 delegates.
We have discussed with EU member states ways to attract more tourists from China and distant markets to Europe as a single destination, with Turkey and the Western Balkans also to be included in the initiative. We are setting up a working group with representatives from ministries and municipalities to create itineraries that will attract Chinese tourists. Our idea of creating a map of the 100 main European tourist sites, which will initially include the monuments on the UNESCO lists, will contribute considerably to this. There was also discussion about the creation of a European Tourism Fund, which would help implement such ideas through financial and other mechanisms, Minister Angelkova explained.
Analyzes show that Bulgarians increasingly prefer to spend their vacations in Bulgaria because the quality of our tourism services is increasing sustainably. This is proof that tourists are satisfied with the product marketed, underlined the minister. According to polls, half of the Bulgarians surveyed will, for example, opt for the Bulgarian Black Sea next summer, while half of our compatriots will also stay in their home country for their ski vacation.
Minister Angelkova predicted some rise in prices for summer vacations, as the demand for high-quality and better hotels increases, but this entirely depends on the industry, because tourism in our country is 100% private . The minister, however, recalled that, according to Western media data, Bulgaria is among the leading destinations in terms of value for money for vacations.
She emphasized the need to ensure the management of sea beaches in order to provide visitors with a trouble-free summer vacation. Whether the procedures are governed by the Black Sea Spatial Planning Law or the new Concessions Law, beach concessions will be granted by the Ministry of Tourism, she explained, adding that it is a normal practice because the ministry is the responsible institution. I and Deputy Prime Minister Valery Simeonov are struggling to maintain order in the resorts. We fully comply with the law and monitor the transparent conduct of procedures. The problem of beaches in closed resorts will be solved by concessions because the highest price is not the criterion for determining the manager, unlike rental, it is a set of criteria.
Users demand that the beaches be allocated and oppose the total elimination of portable vending machines. 92% of those surveyed insist that beaches be supervised, while 60% demand that there be portable dispensers on the beach itself, for the convenience of tourists. We are preparing documents to make concessions as quickly as possible, in order to safeguard the interests of the government, Minister Angelkova said categorically.
She also drew attention to winter tourism, which is also expected to grow at an accelerated pace. In Pirin’s case, everything will go according to the rules. There is no risk of overdevelopment in the mountain, there is no way that this will happen on 48 percent of its territory. Only sports and technical facilities will be built. This applies not only to Bansko, but also to Borovets, Pamporovo, Vitosha, Stara Planina and the Rhodope Mountains, the minister commented.
There must be quick and environmentally friendly access, such as ski lifts, to our mountain resorts, she made clear from her words. However, change does not happen quickly: there needs to be an investment intention which will then be the subject of a public debate and an environmental assessment. It is a fact that we are recording an increase in the number of winter tourists, and this season should lead to an increase in their number of around 5-10%, Minister Angelkova summarized.