Money for tourism marketing and advertising in next year's budget will double, tourism minister Ilin Dimitrov said in a TV interview. He said global tour operators are showing more and more interest in Bulgaria.
Every mayor will have to put 50% of tourist tax revenue into advertising and air links. The minister expects each euro spent on advertising to bring back 20 euros. The aim is to attract mid-range and high-end tourists.
A QR code is also due to be introduced, letting people rate venues, restaurants, bars, hotels, museums and sights.
Dimitrov was at a travel fair in London, where he met the five biggest tour operators. He said they see Bulgaria as a safe destination. He also said Bulgaria offers quality at an affordable price.
Spain and Italy have overtourism, but Bulgaria does not, he said. Bulgaria has both budget places and high-quality ones, and each tourist decides where to go and how much to pay.
Last summer brought about as many tourists as the summer before, but revenue was 19% higher, the minister said. He said the previous government failed to handle a dispute in January between a large German tour operator and an airline, which cost 220,000 seats. He said the current government did everything it could to save the season.
The minister explained how the season runs: German tourists come first and hotels open earlier, then others arrive. He said the situation is much harder in neighbouring countries, because prices there are higher and tourists cancel more often. He said Bulgaria remains stable.
Drone attacks in the Black Sea have not harmed the reputation of Bulgarian tourism, Dimitrov added.
In October we reported that hotels in Burgas and Pomorie were listing rooms for Eurovision at prices several times higher than usual. According to the website of a five-star hotel in Pomorie, six nights in May cost €1,100, while the week of the contest cost €3,750.
No one has asked about security during Eurovision in Bulgaria, the minister said. He said the event will put the country in the focus of Europe, and the aim of the work is to show the beauty of Bulgaria.