Minister Miroslav Borshosh: The Covid crisis can no longer be an excuse, but a bad memory to be rid of

Bulgarian tourism continues to be one of the hardest hit sectors after the pandemic. Despite the reported growth in travel in 2024, our country has not yet reached the levels of 2019. This became clear during today's meeting of the National Tourism Council, chaired by the Minister of Tourism Miroslav Borshosh.

According to the Minister, the main growth in the sector is due to the activity of Bulgarian tourists, which have increased significantly. "Obviously, we have not yet recovered from Covid, which should not be an excuse, but a bad memory to get rid of," said Minister Miroslav Borshosh.

An analysis of the 2024 results was also presented during the meeting. The report confirms that Bulgaria has not yet recovered its position compared to 2019, especially in the inbound tourism segment. About 50% of the country's districts have recovered to pre-pandemic levels. Among the markets with high growth, Romania stands out, while other key markets, such as the United Kingdom and Germany, have seen a clear decline. It was pointed out that the summer is shaping up to be a strong one, but the key question remains how long the season will be and how it can be extended through events and targeted campaigns.

Specific challenges facing the sector were discussed during the council, including the lack of labour, the issuing of visas for tourists and seasonal workers, and the need to extend the tourist seasons. It was stressed that success in tackling these issues depends on a coordinated effort between institutions, the legislature, local government and the tourism industry. "Only with good relationships can we achieve a good result. Without joint efforts we cannot start working," the minister added.

The necessary legislative changes were also a highlight of the discussion. According to the minister, the state of the sector is good, but there are serious accumulated weaknesses that can be overcome with a clear horizon and will. Work on amendments to the Tourism Act, establishment of a consumer protection guarantee fund, introduction of regulation for short-term rentals, status of national resorts, etc. was identified as urgent.

Minister Borshosh also highlighted the serious problem of administrative procedures and long deadlines for issuing visas, which hinder the possibility of a flexible response to demand. The Ministry is working on speeding up procedures in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and with additional funding for consular services.

The Minister indicated that the National Tourism Council will be an active tool for proactive policy making. "Our aim is to look ahead and build a sustainable model. Tourism will no longer be a sector of survival, but a source of national self-confidence and modern connectivity," Miroslav Borshosh added.