Minister Miloshev: The Danube connects Vidin to the heart of Europe

The town has potential for the development of cultural, historical, SPA and adventure tourism in the region

The Minister of Tourism Evtim Miloshev was a guest of the most north-western regional center — Vidin to discuss current issues and problems related to the development of the tourism sector in this part of Bulgaria. The progress of North-West Bulgaria and Vidin goes through the development of tourism and, above all, through the improvement of road infrastructure and transport connectivity — especially with the advantages provided by the ‘water highway to the heart of Europe — the Danube’. This is what Minister Evtim Miloshev told the participants in the round table on ‘Tourism in North-western Bulgaria’, organized by Vidin Governor Ani Arutyunyan, with the participation of mayors of municipalities and representatives of the tourism business in the region. The meeting was also attended by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Rositsa Kirova, who was among the initiators of the visit to Northwest Bulgaria, inviting the caretaker Minister of Tourism during a parliamentary scrutiny.

‘Vidin is special for me because I have visited the city many times in connection with the filming of the series ‘The Tree of Life’, which is a very successful project of high cultural and artistic value. Historically Vidin was the gateway of Bulgaria, through which all the novelties from Europe entered. And now the city has a lot of potential in a cultural, historical and archaeological context.’

With these words Minister Miloshev opened the discussion.

Vidin has many assets — cultural and historical sites, authenticity and natural phenomena in the vicinity such as the Belogradchik Rocks, it is only necessary to create the specific national tourist product for the region to give a real boost to the development of tourism in this unique place, Minister Miloshev further said.

He pointed out that last year tourist registrations for Vidin were 25% more than the previous year and significantly exceeded the data from 2019.

Vidin region is the second in the country after Plovdiv in terms of cultural and historical attractions, said the regional governor Ani Arutyunyan. With its rich cultural program and concert activities, such as the summer festival ‘Opera on the Peaks’ at the Belogradchik Rocks or the summer musical evenings of the Vidin Symphony, the town has a great future for the development of cultural and festival tourism.

In Vidin is located the second largest church in Bulgaria — the Orthodox Church of St. Dimitar Solunski’, named after the patron saint of the city, as well as the mosque and library of Osman Pazvantoğlu. In this regard, it was stressed that the region has a great potential for the development of religious tourism.

Special emphasis was placed on the development of spa, wellness and health tourism.

‘Bulgaria and your city in particular have a very great balneological potential and this is a huge wealth, commensurate with the mountains and the sea, which will give a different perspective and great opportunities for the development of your city’, the minister said.

He pointed out that the cruise ships, which connect Vidin with the heart of Europe, are also a perspective that should be seriously worked on. The destination is favoured by Romanians, Germans, Poles and Hungarians, and the minister encountered American tourists visiting the city.

The position was expressed that the Mineral Baths of Vidin could be the centre around which the town could develop and give year-round livelihood to the whole region. Medical tourism will provide new opportunities and attract many new tourists who will not only disembark from the cruise ships to admire the sights for a short time, but also stay for a complete stay.

A major investment related to the healing springs will also boost eco and rural tourism.

During the meeting the possibility of developing sports and adventurous adventures on the river as a promising form of tourism was also discussed. There is exceptional year-round potential in this — such as cycling, regattas and other water sports, and a campsite could be created along the river.

‘This is inspiring, it has its potential as natural resources and I encourage you not to waste this energy, but to work in this direction’, Minister Miloshev said.

After the meeting, the Minister visited Vidin's city garden, the renovated synagogue, the Baba Vida fortress and a number of local landmarks together with the Governor of Vidin Ani Arutyunyan and the Speaker of the National Assembly Rositsa Kirova. During the tour they commented on how to better manage and protect the tourist sites and treasures, which are a real asset for developing modern and authentic tourism.

During the day Minister Miloshev visited the town of Kula. He was welcomed by the mayor Vladimir Vladimirov with bread and traditional local colourful salt, called here ‘myashano’ — and got acquainted with the preservation and care of the local landmark — the fortress ‘Castra Martis’, whose tower gives its name to the town.

The tour continued with a visit to the fortress ‘Kaleto’ and the impressive Belogradchik rocks, together with the mayor of the town Boyan Minkov.

The Minister also visited a modern local winery, which is successfully developing culinary and wine tourism on the Danube.

The Ambassador of Mongolia H.E. Mrs. Lhagvasuren Sayanaa also attended some of the meetings.