Our country is a destination known to American consumers mainly for cultural, natural, eco- and ornithological tourism. However, the opportunities we offer are much more, and there is enormous potential and excellent prospects to increase tourists from both countries. This became clear at the Bulgarian-American Tourism Forum, which was attended by the Minister of Tourism Nikolina Angelkova, the U.S. Ambassador to Bulgaria His Excellency Mr. Eric Rubin, Deputy Mayor of Sofia Dr. Todor Chobanov, representatives of the National Tourism Board, Bulgarian Industrial Association, Bulgarian Union of Balneology and Spa Tourism, representatives of business, etc.
The Minister of Tourism Nikolina Angelkova noted the record industry results achieved jointly by business and municipalities in recent years after the establishment of the separate Ministry of Tourism. "Last year's number of foreign tourists’ visits for the first time exceeded the 9 million mark, in fact exceeding 9.2 million. The country enjoyed 27 million nights in accommodation places with at least 10 beds, and ranked among the top five in the European community in overnight stays growth according to Eurostat. Revenues exceeded a total of BGN 8.4 billion. This shows how important tourism is for our economy and we are willing to exchange more good practices that will establish Bulgaria as a destination with high quality of services and hospitality", the minister emphasized.
"Bulgaria is the hidden diamond on the Balkans. Our country is known for its amazing beaches, its mineral springs, its four seasons, and the culture having over 10 thousand years of history. We have a lot to offer to foreign tourists. That is why the promotion of the country as a destination is a key prerequisite for the successful positioning of the Bulgarian tourism market," Zhivko Ivanov, Asset Management Director at Galaxy Investment Group, said during the forum. He added that the U.S. market is extremely important for our country. "These are our business travellers, these are the investors and the companies that see Bulgaria as a modern country that can provide a successful product not only in tourism but also in every sphere. Galaxy Investment Group has many years of experience in attracting big international brands, with the company's investment portfolio including over the years brands such as InterContinental Sofia, Hilton Sofia, Radisson Blu, Barceló Royal Beach, and others. These are high-end assets with exceptional potential, which have a strong positive impact on the country's image. I can say that after the opening of InterContinental for example, tourists in Bulgaria receive a world-class service, and the hotel in Sofia is ranked third in quality of service among the 150 most luxurious hotels of the chain in Europe. It attracts the interest of many new foreign visitors, including the loyal guests of the chain from all over the world, diplomats and representatives of high-level international delegations," Ivanov added.
At the forum, the experts discussed more ideas and mechanisms for raising the interest in our country and increasing the two-way flow of tourists.