Bulgaria strengthens its position as a leader in balneology and SPA tourism
During a special event in Ankara, Deputy Minister of Tourism Prof. Mariela Modeva presented Bulgaria as a key destination for health and wellness tourism. The focus was on the new catalog "BG SPA – Health through Water", translated specifically into Turkish.
"Bulgaria has a lot to offer Turkish guests, not only as a nearby destination but also as a place for high-quality prevention and health care," stated Prof. Modeva.
The catalog provides Turkish citizens with detailed information on 128 certified SPA, wellness, and medical SPA centers in the country. The main advantages attracting tourists from Turkey include:
- Mineral springs with healing properties;
- Modern medical SPA centers;
- Excellent value for money;
- A unique combination of sea, mountains, and cultural heritage.
Growth in interest in Bulgaria during 2025-2026
Data show a steady upward trend in the Turkish tourism market. In 2025, our country welcomed over 295,000 Turkish tourists – a growth of 61% compared to the previous year. The momentum continued at the beginning of 2026 with over 95,000 registered visits.
During her visit to Ankara, Prof. Modeva held a productive meeting with the Ambassador of Bulgaria to Turkey, H.E. Angel Cholakov, to discuss future initiatives for promoting the Bulgarian tourism product.