Minister Angelkova in Cairo: The exchange of experience and good practices in the field of digitalization will contribute to the sustainable development of tourism in Bulgaria and Egypt

Bulgarian Minister and her Egyptian colleague Dr Rania Al-Mashat opened a business forum in tourism

The focus of today's forum is the exchange of good practices in the field of tourism, in particular in the field of digitalization. The event is also a platform to promote our cultural and historical wealth and to share experiences for the sustainable development of the sector. This was stated by Tourism Minister Nikolina Angelkova at a business forum in Egypt. The Minister is on a working visit to Cairo, accompanied by a group of delegates, including representatives of local government and business, as well as members of the Parliamentary Committee on Economic Policy and Tourism. The discussion was opened by the Bulgarian Minister and the Minister of Tourism of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Dr Rania Al-Mashat. The forum was hosted by representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, local government, the heads of many industry associations and companies operating in the sector.

During the meeting, we had the opportunity to comment on the twinning between Bulgarian and Egyptian cities, which would further support the regional growth of the sector, said Minister Angelkova. She added that it is planned to hold thematic days of Bulgaria in Egypt and of Egypt in Bulgaria, which will help to increase the tourist visits in both countries.

I am glad to be here and I believe that today's forum will have a positive impact on the development of the sector in both countries, said Minister Angelkova. She also noted that in the recent years Bulgaria has achieved excellent results in tourism, and for the first time last year we reported more than 9.2 million foreign visits. She thanked Prime Minister Boyko Borisov and his cabinet colleagues for the assistance they provided to the sector. Minister Angelkova congratulated her colleague Dr Rania Al-Mashat on the achievements of Egyptian tourism last year.

During the forum, Minister Al-Mashat announced that Bulgaria could be an example in the management and growth of various tourism products. A very good model for progress is balneo and spa tourism in Bulgaria, so we would like to learn from your experience in developing and promoting it, she further informs. And he commented that in both countries tourism is structurally determining.

We could cooperate in the field of categorization of accommodation, said Ahmed el-Vasef, chairman of the Egyptian Tourism Federation. He stated that they were interested in our gourmet and culinary tourism products. It became clear at the forum that the introduction of uniform requirements for the all-inclusive is being prepared in Egypt.

The Chamber of Private Companies congratulated the ministers on the good work and the increase in the number of tourists in both Egypt and Bulgaria and reiterated the importance of the sector for GDP of both countries. They pointed out that Varna has been a well-known destination for Egyptian tourists over the years.

Egypt is a key country for us and I am glad that after some delay our economic relations are recovering, said Zhelyo Boychev, MP from the Committee on Economic Policy and Tourism. He added that tourism is a major economic sector for both countries and therefore it is crucial to work consistently to increase visits to the country. The deputy also said that there is a very good dialogue between the two ministries, which is the basis for beneficial work between Bulgaria and Egypt.

Member of Parliament Ivan Mihovski emphasized the fact that tourism in Bulgaria is a national priority and is supported by all government representatives.

Galina Stoyanova, Mayor of Kazanlak thanked for the opportunity to be among the delegates and to improve the economic relations of the municipality with Egypt. She presented to the participants in detail the tourism opportunities in the city and the sights in the Kazanlak region.

A further working visit was discussed during the forum to conduct a broader discussion on the exchange of experience and good practices, with investment as the main focus. Minister Angelkova invited all participants to be guests within the second investment forum, which the Ministry of Tourism will organize in Sunny Beach next year.