Minister Miloshev: Austrian citizens would be able to benefit from the natural riches of our country all year round

The Minister of Tourism and the Ambassador of Austria Andrea Ikić-Böhm discussed the possibility of carrying out recovery procedures for Austrian citizens in Bulgaria

‘Austrian citizens would be able to benefit from the natural riches of our country all year round. Medical tourism in our country is an extremely positive opportunity for Austrians. Bulgaria ranks second in Europe in terms of mineral springs, these geothermal waters have enormous healing potential and have been exploited in our lands for centuries’, said Minister of Tourism Evtim Miloshev during his meeting with the Ambassador of Austria H. E. Andrea Ikić-Böhm.

At the meeting, opportunities for cooperation in the field of spa and medical tourism between the two countries were discussed. Minister Miloshev highlighted the exceptional opportunities that Bulgaria presents in the field of balneology and SPA tourism. ‘I believe that any effort that is motivated by good intentions always finds a good result. The Bulgarian state has created the conditions for private initiative in the country to create exceptional hotel complexes that are linked to cultural heritage’, the tourism minister added.

‘I can assure you that Austrian citizens value Bulgaria highly. I myself am convinced of the great prospects that Bulgaria offers in the field of health tourism. We have presented your proposals to the relevant authorities in Vienna, who are considering this possibility very carefully. I well understand that this concept is aimed at year-round tourism, but it will take time to get the opinion of the Austrian authorities’, emphasised Andrea Ikić-Böhm.

Already in 2019, Bulgaria was included in the official list of countries with which the Association of German Health Insurance Funds recognizes the costs of rehabilitation in our country. The ambition now is for Austrian citizens to also get the opportunity to benefit from recovery procedures in our country.