Minister Zaritza Dinkova held a working meeting with H.E. Kenneth Merten, US Ambassador to Bulgaria

Bulgaria has the potential to attract more American tourists. Around this opinion agreed H. E. Kenneth Merten, US Ambassador to Bulgaria, and the Minister of Tourism Zaritza Dinkova. Our country has many cultural and natural attractions to offer that will pique the interest of American tourists. There are still untouched places in Bulgaria that need to be shown and preserved, Minister Zaritza Dinkova said.

The team of the Ministry of Tourism is considering a new marketing strategy, which will also be aimed at expanding the markets, Minister Dinkova further stressed.

The USA is a promising and desirable tourism partner and market for Bulgaria. In 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 104,000 American tourists travelled to Bulgaria. For the first 5 months of 2023, the number of U.S. citizens visiting our country was 30,469, an increase of 41% over the same period in 2022.

Combined travel products have great potential, as traditionally American tourists prefer to combine visits to as many tourist sites as possible with one trip. In this sense, combining the main summer and winter tourist products with opportunities for spa and wellness tourism, as well as visits to cultural and historical sites, would be an increasingly significant factor in shaping the preferences of American tourists to our country. Minister Dinkova added and suggested that Bulgaria be presented as a destination on the American market or B2B forum as early as next year, if this is of interest to the American market.

The development of the Bulgarian tourism sector is a national priority, Minister Dinkova further said. According to the WTTC (World Travel and Tourism Council), last year the contribution of the travel and tourism sector grew by 25% to BGN 10 billion, representing 6.5% of Bulgaria's economy, approaching the 2019 high of 9.9% of the economy.