Bulgaria presented its candidature for a seat in the Executive Council (2023-2027)

Rural tourism

Rural tourism is given an important role in the strategy of the Bulgarian Ministry of Tourism. An important role is given to slow and rural tourism, which are seen as the key to differentiating the tourism offer of the destination.

• UNWTO Rural Tourism Development Programme - Best Tourism Villages of the World: International Label; Tourism Villages Upgrade Programme; Best Tourism Villages Network
  • Bulgaria has submitted the maximum number of applications (3) for the Best Tourism Villages Initiative.
  • One of the villages “Koprivshtitsa” has been chosen in the Upgrade Programme in 2021
  • Bulgaria has not submitted any applications for BTV 2022 and 2023

Digital transformation

According to the Strategy for Sustainable Tourism Development 2014-2030, Bulgaria highlighted the necessity of developing digital technologies in the field of tourism, including the area of destination branding

• Organization of Masterclasses focused on digital skills, such as Amadeus and Google, which is particularly relevant considering Bulgaria’s priority (Helping destinations to better promote themselves by using Google analytics).
• Organization of a Travel tech Adventure
• Introduce the UNWTO Start-up Competition, the world’s largest startup competition in tourism
• Introduce the Innovation Hubs Network worldwide

Enhance the tourism offer of Bulgaria

One of Bulgaria´s main objectives in tourism is to enhance the development of its strategic segments including mountain tourism, coastal tourism, culture tourism, gastronomy tourism and wine tourism

• Segments of interest: Support Bulgaria in the enhancement of its tourism segments of interest through capacity-building activities and exchange of best practices with other destinations. 
• Mountain tourism: Support Bulgaria in the development of this tourism offer by researching and sharing other member states best practices
• Spa and Health tourism: Supporting Bulgaria in developing promotion materials of Health and well-being tourism in their tourism offer.
• Coastal/Maritime tourism: Introduce the project on the development of sustainable maritime and coastal tourism in coastal destinations from a cruise/yachting perspective in the Mediterranean region. Possibility to replicate the study in the Black Sea.
• Meetings industry: Offer the possibility to organize Masterclasses delivered by ICCA, to enhance the development of the Meetings industry in Bulgaria.
• Silk Road/BSEC further enhances cooperation along the Silk Road initiative and within the BSEC regional framework

Education & Training

The enhancement of skills of the tourism workforce, along with the creation of jobs in tourism, is identified as an important priority for Bulgaria.

• Support through the UNWTO.Academy: UNWTO can assist Bulgaria in the development of tourism educational programmes (i.e, curricula), along with the delivery of tailored-made trainings (I.e., training for officials).
• UNWTO can support Bulgaria in collaboration with their universities for tailored-made courses for university 
• QUEST: UNWTO can support destinations in the creation of DMOs and assessment of existing ones

Attraction of foreign investment

(Match: The country is in need of investments to provide tourists with quality accommodation services and other tourism related services)

• Explore the possibility to provide support through the IDT programme, and the organization of investment forum with the support of UNWTO in Bulgaria.
• UNWTO can assist Bulgaria in developing master plans for separate regions of the country.
• UNWTO & fDi intelligence from the Financial Times - UNWTO Members can have limited access to world-class digital investment platforms at no cost

Sustainable Tourism Development Plan 2014-2030

Vision

To Become a destination that offers sustainable tourism year-around.

Mission

Create conditions for sustainable development in the touristic destinations. Increase the competitiveness in tourism sector, quality of the tourism product, and healthy partnership between all parties involved.

Main Goal:

Sustainable development of Bulgarian Tourism Industry

Strategic Goals:

1. Create sustainable business environment for sustainable future of Tourism
2. Development of competitive tourism sector
3. Successfully position Bulgaria on the world tourism map
4. Balanced development of different tourism regionsp

Source : Ministry of Tourism