Spiritual Paths: Bulgaria with a New Strategy for Pilgrimage Tourism

A national conference dedicated to pilgrimage tourism brought together leading experts from various fields to outline the prospects for this specialized tourism segment. The event was attended by representatives of the clergy, religious communities, local authorities, academic circles, and tourism organizations.

A key moment was the presentation of a new guidebook that details ten significant Christian destinations in Bulgaria. The publication covers diverse geographical regions, including Sofia, Sofia Holy Mountain, the Thracian Plain, the Rhodope Mountains, and the Rose Valley.

Minister Miroslav Borshosh emphasized the exceptional potential of pilgrimage tourism, which shows a steady annual growth between 5 and 10 percent. According to him, modern travelers are seeking not just routes, but a deeply emotional and spiritual experience.

"Bulgaria has unique prerequisites to establish itself as a leading destination," the minister stated, highlighting the combination of rich spiritual traditions and cultural heritage. New generations of tourists are interested in authentic experiences with personal emotional value.

In response to this trend, the Ministry of Tourism is taking specific steps for institutional support. A specialized working group is planned, which will bring together experts from the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, religious communities, academic community, local administration, and the tourism industry.

The guidebook, developed in collaboration with the media platform "24 Hours" and "Trud" publishing house, is part of a larger strategy for developing year-round and specialized tourism forms. The main goal is to present Bulgaria as a significant spiritual and cultural destination on the international tourism market.

The participation of Anthony - Metropolitan of Western and Central Europe, further emphasized the significance of the initiative and its inter-regional potential for promoting Bulgarian cultural heritage.