Minister Angelkova holds talks in Washington with Paul McCarthy, Regional Deputy Director for Europe of the International Republican Institute

Bulgaria is playing an increasingly active role on the Balkans and could be a crucial factor for the region’s economic development, including via various tourism initiatives. This was stated by the Minister of Tourism, Nikolina Angelkova, before Paul B. McCarthy, Regional Deputy Director for Europe of the International Republican Institute - IRI. Their meeting was held in Washington D.C., within the framework of the minister’s work visit to USA.

Minister Angelkova showcased the demanding mission now being performed by Bulgaria as president of the EU Council in regards to the security, prosperity, and modern-era development of the Community countries. The EU Presidency’s important focuses also include integration of the Western Balkans, which still have untapped economic, social, and cultural potential.

Together with other countries in the region we are developing infrastructure projects, which are key to the development of tourism as well, said the minister, emphasizing that common products and itineraries were being set up, which will attract more tourists to that part of Europe, including tourists from remote markets, such as USA.

Tourism contributes to the global economy’s growth because it’s a key factor of sustainability. Traditionally, it is among the more important drivers of wellbeing and advancement of countries, developing at accelerated pace in recent decades, added the minister, reminding that this month an informal meeting was held in Sofia of the EU tourism ministers entitled Tourism and Economic Growth. The forum was attended by some 520 delegates, discussing these matters and Europe’s role as a leading tourism destination globally.

The minister reminisced that according to the European Travel Commission in 2017 international tourism travel on the continent exceeded 670 mil., growing by 8.4 per cent compared to the year before. Bulgaria is also registering excellent results in the sector. In 2017 the total number of international tourism visits to the country was nearly 8.9 mil., way over a million more than our populace. We are increasingly attracting investors to tourism, offering high-grade, competitive services, stressed Minister Angelkova.

IRI is a non-partisan, non-governmental international organization for the development in democracy. Since 1983 it has been active in over 100 countries – in Africa, Asia, Eurasia, Latin America and the Caribbean, Middle East and North Africa – it now has offices in over 30 countries. Its operations include support to political parties and their nominees for the development of their values and institutional setups, good governance practices, civil society, education, youth leaders, election reforms, election monitoring, etc.