Minister Angelkova showcases destination Bulgaria to the WACA President, Bill Clifford

During her work visit to the US, the Minister of Tourism, Nikolina Angelkova, held talks with the President and CEO of the World Affairs Councils of America - WACA, Bill Clifford. Bulgaria is an attractive destination offering diverse and competitive services, both mass and niche, to millions of tourists, she said, pointing out our country’s role as a regional factor for the promotion of good quality and sustainable development of tourism in Europe.

Nikolina Angelkova reminisced that only days ago Sofia hosted a large-scale meeting of the EU tourism ministers, entitled Tourism and Economic Growth, which involved participants and observers from over 30 countries. It was a class A event in Bulgaria’s rotational presidency of the EU Council, which will last until June 2018. One of the most significant messages of the forum was that countries must use joint efforts to promote durable economic growth and work on Europe’s image as a leading tourism destination worldwide, having generated over USD 440 bil. of revenues in the sector during 2016.

According to latest stats, South-Eastern European countries have drawn in over 115 mil. international tourists, accounting for 9% of the global tourist flow, having generated revenues amounting to USD 57 bil., or 5% of the global proceeds from tourism. Bulgaria’s contribution in this regard is noticeable, it was proposed during the meeting to set up, based on Bulgaria’s experience, a Map of 100 European Tourism Sites, which will cause even more tourists to have interest in the continent, announced Minister Angelkova.

She added that our country is registering two record-breaking years in a row for the sector ever since national statistics have been available. The upgrade is a fact, we have registered nearly 8.9 mil. international tourist visits for 2017, a 7.6% growth compared to 2016, while revenues from international tourism stand at circa BGN 6.9 bil., a 9,3% growth, added Minister Angelkova. It is pleasing that guests are now arriving from even more remote markets, which is a testament to the country’s increasing recognition as an attractive destination, stated Minister Angelkova, citing as an example our success on the US market. Last year almost 88 000 American tourists travelled to Bulgaria, which is some 10% more, compared to 2016.

Thus, USA ranks 20^th among the countries generating incoming tourism to our country. A successful campaign using billboards and digital screens was already held for Bulgaria as a destination in some of the biggest US cities, and it yielded very good results, it was made clear by the minister.

Nikolina Angelkova also provided detailed information about the large diversity of tourism services, which make Bulgaria attractive to visitors – winter and summer vacations, spa and medical spa packages, cultural-historic tours, golf, gourmet, ecotourism, adventure tourism, etc. She also reminisced that in late 2016 Bulgaria’s capital successfully hosted the first International Congress on World Civilizations and Creative Tourism jointly with the UN World Tourism Organization. It will have its second edition next November, again in Sofia, but now as an International Congress on World Civilizations and Ancient Routes, and will again be carried out in partnership with UNWTO. The CNN anchor, Richard Quest, has already been invited as a moderator.

The World Affairs Councils of America is an independent, nonpartisan organization dedicated to engaging the public and leading global voices to better understand the world, America's international role, and the policy choices that impact our daily lives and our future.

Bill Clifford has been President and CEO of WACA since 2013. He was previously a reported in international finance, economy, and politics in Asia and a correspondent in Tokyo. He has an MA from the John Hopkins University in International Studies, a BA in International Relations and French Literature from the Tufts University, as well as C.E.P. in Public Policy from the Science Po in Paris.