Bulgarian tourism ready for the eurozone - The Ministers of Tourism of Bulgaria and Croatia discussed the benefits of introducing the single currency

The Minister of Tourism Miroslav Borshosh held a working meeting with his Croatian counterpart Tonči Glavina in Zagreb this week. The main topic of the conversation was the benefits of adopting the euro for one of the most important economic sectors in the two countries - tourism.

Minister Borshosh emphasized that the tourism sector in Bulgaria is ready for the introduction of the single European currency, which will make the country even more attractive to foreign tourists and competitive. Facilitated payments, price transparency, and predictability are just some of the benefits that will facilitate both tourists and businesses in the sector.

Minister Glavina presented the Croatian experience, emphasizing that the effect of the introduction of the euro has been categorically positive for the sector. Long before the official accession, the business in Croatia has started working with foreign partners in euros, which has facilitated the transition and contributed to a significant increase in foreign investments. As a correlative result of Croatia's entry into the Eurozone on January 1, 2023, an increase in the average salary in the country was mentioned, which in March 2025 reached 1448 euros, with a growth of 5.8% in one year and taking into account an inflation of 3.2%.

"Croatia is our strategic partner and an extremely useful example for Bulgaria on the threshold of our accession to the Eurozone. I am convinced that the introduction of the euro in our country will bring long-term benefits to Bulgarian tourism. The industry is prepared and has adapted its systems and processes for easy reservations and payments for services in hotels, restaurants, tourist products, payable also in euros. Bulgarian tourism is looking towards 2026 with readiness for growth - more tourists, new investments and stable development of the sector," emphasized Minister Borshosh.

Minister Tonči Glavina expressed unequivocal support for Bulgaria's accession to the Eurozone. He commented that the use of a single currency is an important advantage when choosing a tourist destination, as it eliminates the need for currency exchange and the associated fees and costs. According to the data of the Croatian government, this is what has made travels to Croatia more convenient and attractive for tourists from countries that already use the euro. He expressed confidence that the same positive effect will manifest itself in Bulgaria.

The Croatian Minister shared that foreign tourists outnumber domestic ones only during the summer season, while for the first quarter of this year, domestic tourism maintains higher levels and is in the lead. He added that after Croatia's accession to the Eurozone, an increase in Croatian tourists traveling within the country is being recorded, mainly as a result of the increase in incomes.

The meeting is part of the active foreign policy and European engagement of the Ministry of Tourism to position Bulgaria as a stable and predictable partner in the region.