Minister Angelkova conversed in Buenos Aires with the president of Emirates Airline, Gary Chapman

Tourism can contribute to the global economy’s growth because it is a leading sustainability factor. Traditionally, it has been one of the top drivers of welfare and prosperity, developing at accelerated rates in recent years. Thus said the Minister of Tourism, Nikolina Angelkova, during a meeting with the president of Emirates Airline, Gary Chapman. The two conversed in Argentina’s capital, Buenos Aires, during the summit meeting of the World Travel and Tourism Council.

The minister emphasized that Bulgaria is reporting a nearly 17% growth in international tourists during the December 2017 - January 2018 period. She pointed out that the growth in revenues from international tourism during the December 2017 - January 2018 period was over 11 percent. This, revenues during a large part of the winter season reach nearly BGN 796 mil.

It was made during the meeting that the Emirates company may schedule flights between Dubai and Bulgaria in its new flights program. Minister Angelkova explained that the Fly Dubai company is already active on the Bulgarian market, while Mr. Chapman commented that his company is cooperating closely with Fly Dubai. In his opinion, there is room to increase the flights to the United Arab Emirates via Fly Dubai and other airlines. Nikolina Angelkova emphasized that the Ministry of Tourism is working in close cooperation with the Ministry of Transport, Information Technologies, and Communications, as good transport links and aviation in particular are crucial to the development of tourism and to attracting visitors from near and remote markets.

Minister Angelkova introduced to her interlocutor the Ministry of Tourism’s initiatives to develop high-grade tourism product to establish Bulgaria as a four-season destination.