Minister Miroslav Borshosh participates in a discussion on a new sustainable strategy for European tourism in Warsaw

Bulgaria remains focused on strategic, inclusive, and regionally balanced development

Minister of Tourism Miroslav Borshosh insisted on a separate budget for the development of the sector in the EU during the informal meeting of tourism ministers held on June 23-24, 2025, in Warsaw, Poland. He explained that Bulgaria supports the development of a new, practical, and forward-looking strategy for sustainable tourism in the EU. The minister emphasized that it should take into account the interdependence of tourism with other sectors, such as transport, agriculture, construction, healthcare, and trade.
 
"We express our gratitude to the Polish Presidency for placing the future of sustainable tourism in Europe at the center of our common dialogue," said the minister, stressing that the implementation of this strategy should be accompanied by targeted financial support to ensure its effective implementation, the promotion of green investments, and the development of lesser-known destinations. Special focus should be placed on supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, which often face resource constraints in implementing innovation and environmental solutions.
During the meeting, Minister Miroslav Borshosh outlined our country's vision of the key priorities that are fundamental to the development of this strategy. These include accelerating the green transition by promoting practices that minimize negative impacts on the environment and contribute to the restoration of natural resources. Emphasizing the digital transformation of tourism is also a key priority, with a focus on the implementation of digital technologies that improve efficiency, accessibility, and the tourist experience without displacing the human factor. Another key priority is strengthening social sustainability and territorial cohesion to ensure that tourism development contributes to the well-being of local communities, the creation of quality jobs, and the reduction of regional disparities.

In his speech, the Minister of Tourism called for the expansion of statistical sources through the use of online content, mobile data, environmental and financial indicators. The introduction of a common European methodology and the integration of information from these sources into the European Data Space are essential for the comparability and transparency of analyses in tourism.
During the second panel session of the meeting, special attention was paid to the need to overcome imbalances in tourism development. In this regard, Minister Miroslav Borshosh described the discussion as timely in relation to one of the most pressing challenges in the sector, namely unbalanced development. Like many Member States, Bulgaria faces two parallel realities: a concentrated tourist flow in popular destinations and underdeveloped potential in others. Addressing this imbalance is essential for environmental, social, and cultural sustainability, the minister stressed.
Our country will continue to invest in integrated marketing communications and digital storytelling to showcase Bulgaria's hidden treasures and diversify its tourism offer. At the heart of this approach is the principle of community engagement. The Ministry works closely with municipalities and local authorities to coordinate tourism development with local priorities.
The Bulgarian position, presented by Minister Miroslav Borshosh during the meeting, emphasized the need for a pan-European approach to promoting destinations close to the conflict in Ukraine as safe, reliable, and welcoming.
The minister further explained that uneven development and security challenges are not obstacles but opportunities to rethink, strengthen sustainability, and unite efforts for more balanced and responsible tourism in Europe.
In conclusion, Minister Miroslav Borshosh addressed his European colleagues with the following words: "This meeting is more than a discussion – it is a renewed commitment to partnership, coordination, and transformation. Together, we will outline a strategy for the tourism sector that supports our communities, respects the environment, and prepares our economies for the challenges of tomorrow."