Български
English
The Prime Minister Prof. Gerdzhikov and Minister Baltova opened the international exhibition HOLIDAY/SPA EXPO
The Prime Minister Prof. Ognyan Gerdzhikov and the Minister of Tourism Stela Baltova opened the 34th edition of the largest tourist exhibition in Bulgaria – the international tourist exchange “HOLIDAY/SPA EXPO”. It takes place from 15 to 17 February in the Inter Expo Centre in the capital under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism. At the ceremony were present the Deputy Minister Irena Georgieva and the Prime Minister’s Advisor in Tourism Georgi Nikolchev.
“It is a great honour and privilege for me to open the biggest tourist exhibition in Bulgaria, which gathers over 350 foreign and Bulgarian tourist firms, as well as representatives of 40 municipalities”, the Prime Minister Prof. Ognyan Gerdzhikov said at the opening of the exchange. He emphasized that tourism is a unique business, which is aimed at the people and which provides an opportunity for the different nations to get to know each other. According to him, in 2016 our country was visited by more than 8 million foreign tourists and that generated revenues of over BGN 6 billion. “The amazing results are due to our beautiful nature and favourable climate, and to the fact that we get better and better in using them”, said also Prof. Gerdzhikov. The Prime Minister commented on the exceptional richness of mineral springs in Bulgaria as a remarkable fact and noted that tourism is developing at robust rates.
The Minister of Tourism Stela Baltova welcomed the participants with the words that “tourism is an industry that brings emotions, experiences and new knowledge. It has to become a national cause because it affects the other sectors of the economy and has the potential to generate a higher growth in the gross domestic product.” She also added that in today’s dynamics, when young people are using more and more digital technology to acquire knowledge, tourism has to respond to the challenge.
In response to questions of the media Minister Baltova said that a favourable summer season was expected and that the forecasts were for a 7-10% growth compared to 2016. She also added that the early bookings from Russian and German markets were positive.
The Minister of Tourism announced that winter tourism was developing successfully, as this year it was accompanied by internationally significant sports events. After the opening ceremony of the exhibition the Prime Minister Prof. Gerdzhikov and Minister Baltova visited the stands and familiarized themselves with the offered products and services.
Please note that within the exhibition the Ministry of Tourism organizes two discussions, which will take place tomorrow – 16 February 2017 (Thursday) with the participation of Minister Baltova and Deputy Minister Georgieva. The topic of the first one is “How low-cost airlines change the tourist supply and demand” and will take place at 12:30 in Inter Expo Centre, “Musala” hall, 2nd floor. Mariana Kirilova, marketing manager of Sofia Airport EAD, Dimitar Popov, member of the Management Board of the Association of Bulgarian Tour Operators and Travel Agents (ABTTA), Tourism line, Denitsa Milosavlievich, marketing expert in business development in Fraport Twin Star Airport Management AD, will also take part in it.
On the same day at 15:00 at “Vitosha” hall, 1st floor, the second discussion panel will take place with the participation of Minister Baltova and Deputy Minister Georgieva. Its topic is “Short-term travelling – a prerequisite for all-year-round tourism”. Lyubozar Fratev, chairman of the tourist association “Trakia Tourist Region” and Plovdiv Municipal Council of Tourism, Daniela Stoeva, member of the Management Board of ABTTA, Toursm line, Zhulieta Serafimova, Director General of Grand Hotel Sofia and director for business development at Sofia Hotels Management, etc. will also take part.
Moderator of both discussions is Assoc. Prof. Sonya Aleksieva from New Bulgarian University.
HOLIDAY/SPA EXPO is organized by PRIM EXPO in partnership with Sofia Municipality, the Bulgarian Tourist Chamber, the Bulgarian Hotel and Restaurant Association, the Bulgarian Association of Travel Agents, the Association of Bulgarian Tour Operators and Travel Agents, Tourism Association and the Sofia Tourist Region. Over 350 tourist companies from 20 countries participate and they will present current offers for travel and vacation.
The Ministry of Tourism presents Bulgaria’s opportunities as an attractive tourist destination with a national stand of 150 sq.m. Co-exhibitors are 20 municipalities and tourist associations. The Ministry demonstrates the second stage of the project EDEN (Best European Destinations) and how the application IloveBulgaria works. For the first time tour operators from Georgia, the Maldives, Albania participate in the event. The profile of the exhibitors includes tour operator firms and agencies, hotels, balneological resorts and SPA centres, national tourist organizations and associations, software companies and firms for hotel equipment. More than 40 Bulgarian municipalities have their own stands.
