Working group to speed up visas for tourists and workers

"Bulgaria's Schengen membership is a huge opportunity, but also a challenge. To make the most of this opportunity, we need to remove the administrative barriers that hamper the tourism sector. That is why the Ministry of Tourism is setting up a working group that will coordinate the efforts of all institutions involved in speeding up the processes of issuing tourist and work visas," said Minister of Tourism Miroslav Borshosh during a round table on "Bulgaria in Schengen - challenges and opportunities for tourism".

Minister Borshosh emphasized that the working group will focus on finding sustainable solutions to facilitate the access of foreign tourists and personnel to Bulgaria. "Schengen gives us a competitive advantage, but if we do not act decisively, we could miss this opportunity. I am committed not just to coordinate the processes, but to be the driver of the necessary changes. Business will have in my person an adequate and business partner," he added.

The Minister expressed confidence that through active coordination with the institutions, the process of issuing work visas for third-country nationals could be streamlined. "We need to facilitate the procedures for hiring workers to ensure the long-term competitiveness of Bulgarian tourism. The establishment of the working group is a step in the right direction. Now is the time to take real action for the development of tourism in the new conditions of Schengen," the Tourism Minister further said.

The event was organized by the Bulgarian Union of Balneology and Spa Tourism (BUBSPA) and brought together key figures from the sector and government institutions. The discussion was attended by Yordanka Fandakova, Chairperson of the Foreign Policy Committee of the National Assembly, Dr. Siyka Katsarova, Chairperson of BUBSPA and Dr. Ilin Dimitrov, Secretary to the President for Education, Culture and Tourism. Ms. Meglena Plugchieva, who is an ambassador of the Bulgarian Union of Balneology and Spa Tourism, took the role of moderator of the round table discussion.

The President of BUBSPA Dr. Siyka Katsarova stressed that the organization has the necessary expertise and will continue to be a partner of the Ministry of Tourism in developing effective policies.