Ukraine ambassador to Minister Angelkova: Tourism in Bulgaria is developing great

We are witnessing a very positive change in Bulgaria’s tourism, which is undoubtedly due to the efforts of the Ministry of Tourism. This was stated by the Ukraine ambassador in Bulgaria, HE Mikola Baltazhi, during a work meeting with the Minister of Tourism, Nikolina Angelkova. We are observing a steady growth of the number of tourists visiting Bulgaria and of Bulgarian visitors to the Ukraine, revenues from Ukrainian tourists in your country are also on the rise, added Baltazhi.

His words were also confirmed by the Minister of Tourism, Nikolina Angelkova. She presented to her guest the reported growth of tourist inflow from Ukraine into our country. The total number of visits of Ukrainians in Bulgaria from year’s start to October is 285 697, NSI data indicate. We are registering a 15,4% growth, compared to the same period of last year, said Minister Angelkova. During the winter 2016/2017 season we registered a nearly 24% growth of guests from the Ukraine. „We are hopeful that this year we will not only solidify the results achieved, but also build on them“, added the Minister of Tourism. She also indicated that many Ukrainians are employed in Bulgaria owing to relaxed hiring procedures. Last year amendments to the Labour Migration and Labour Mobility Act were adopted, enabling issuance of work permits under relaxed terms. In June this year the requirements to the hiring of third-country workers were further relaxed via reduction of the set of required documents. The changes enabled employers in the tourism sector to hire workers in a timely manner. As at July, nearly 2 900 Ukrainians were working in our country. Over a 1 000 staff were employed at the Albena resort alone”, explained Minister Angelkova.

She presented to the guest Ministry of Tourism’s plans going forward. Both countries are members of the Organization for Black Sea Economic Cooperation (OBSEC). Bulgaria is a coordinator of the Organization’s Task Group for Cooperation in Tourism from July 2016 to July 2018. „I thank you for the impeccable arrangements in this context“, stated Baltazhi.

Apart from our active work associated with Bulgaria’s upcoming presidency of the EU Council in 2018, at the end of next year we will also host the second International Congress on World Civilizations and Creative Tourism of UN’s World Tourism Organization (WTO). „I wish you success. I believe Bulgaria’s presidency will be very successful. Bulgaria has huge potential“, Baltazhi said further.