DOBRICH – The inclusion of Bulgaria in the Eurozone is not just an administrative step, but a long-awaited and desired change, especially for the key tourism sector. This was stated by the Minister of Tourism, Miroslav Borshosh, during an informational meeting in Dobrich, which is part of the large-scale National Information Campaign for the introduction of the single European currency in the country. The event, which attracted the attention of the local community, was met with emphasized interest, as the topic directly affects both businesses and the daily lives of citizens.
According to Minister Borshosh, the tourism industry has long operated under the conditions of a single currency, as the euro has established itself as a familiar, stable, and reliable unit of exchange. He stressed that using the euro eliminates the need for complicated calculations and lengthy persuasion when working with foreign partners and markets.
When you enter foreign markets, you don't have to calculate for a long time, talk, or persuade, he noted, highlighting the facilitated communication and trade that will result from joining the Eurozone.
The minister explained that the current information campaign is aimed at a genuine and human dialogue to reach all layers of society. He acknowledged the existence of propaganda against the euro but emphasized that the campaign seeks to address the legitimate concerns of more conservatively-minded citizens.
Part of our idea is for the human conversation to reach everyone, because when we remove all the propaganda against the euro that exists, we realize that there are also more conservatively-minded people for whom the change is a problem, who have grown up and live with one currency, of course, these concerns will exist, said Borshosh. He added that the campaign's goal is to dispel these fears and present the benefits of introducing the euro in an accessible way.
In the context of tourism, the minister highlighted that two things are key for a destination: security and image. According to him, security includes both the physical safety of tourists and financial stability. He defined joining Schengen and the Eurozone as the two biggest positives for Bulgarian tourism, which will increase the country's trust and attractiveness. According to Borshosh, the other important condition is the image and the perception that foreigners have of Bulgaria.
The minister stated that the real challenge is not the adoption of the euro itself, but the preparation and execution of the next state budget.
This budget, which will be our first in the Eurozone and in euros, will be the answer to many of the questions that our country faces in economic and political terms, he explained, emphasizing the strategic importance of the upcoming financial plan. He expressed positivity and stated that the next year will provide an opportunity to begin major sectoral changes in the economy, which are essential for the country's development.
The informational meeting in Dobrich was held in collaboration with a number of responsible institutions, including the Ministry of Finance, the Bulgarian National Bank, the Ministry of Economy and Industry, the Commission for Consumer Protection, the National Revenue Agency, the Financial Supervision Commission, and the National Social Security Institute. The wide range of participants underscores the inter-institutional nature of the preparation for Eurozone membership and the significance of the topic for the entire state administration.