Minister of Tourism Dr. Ilin Dimitrov held an official meeting with his French counterpart, Serge Papen, during the International French Travel Market (IFTM) Top Resa 2026 in Paris, held from September 15 to 17. The discussions between the two ministers focused on opportunities for closer cooperation and stimulating tourism exchange between the two nations. "The French market is traditional for us, but it has lost its luster over the years. Our goal is to restart our relations and upgrade our partnerships," stated Minister Dimitrov, as quoted in a press release from the tourism ministry.
Bulgaria is actively participating in the exhibition with its own stand, which was officially opened by Dr. Ilin Dimitrov. The Ambassador of the Republic of Bulgaria to France, Radka Balabanova-Ruleva, was also in attendance. Bulgaria's presence in the French market was further highlighted by reporting from the French publication "Le Figaro," which noted last month that Bulgaria is gradually becoming a more important destination in French travel plans, offering itself as an alternative to traditional Mediterranean resorts.
French tourists are showing interest in business and cultural tourism, as well as seaside holidays in the Northern Black Sea region, with a particular emphasis on the "Albena" and "Golden Sands" resorts. To further expand Bulgaria's presence in this market, directions related to wellness, spa, and balneo-tourism are also being identified.
As part of the exhibition program, the Minister held two other important meetings:
- With the team from Le Petit Futé – an authoritative French publication for guidebooks and travel information; the discussions focused on how Bulgarian tourism products can be more widely presented to the audience in France.
- With Thomas Drechsler, Head of Tourism at "AVIAREPS" – an international company that partners with destinations and tourism organizations in development processes and market marketing representation.