Bulgaria shifts tourism strategy toward high-end market

Bulgarian Tourism Minister Ilin Dimitrov has announced a strategic shift away from low-cost tourism, stating that the country will no longer position itself as a cheap destination. Instead, the government aims to focus on high-category tourism by improving infrastructure, urban beautification, and sector stability.

Dimitrov emphasized that providing stability for hotel owners and beach concessionaires is essential for growth. He also noted an increase in flights to Bulgaria and a focus on recovering the German market. Additionally, the Golden Sands resort is set to host a strategic meeting for TUI executives in September.

In collaboration with Regional Development Minister Ivan Shishkov, the government is initiating reforms to change how resort zones are managed. The goal is to integrate infrastructure, such as roads, cleanliness, and green spaces, directly into the tourism product. This reform seeks to create a unified legislative framework involving the state, municipalities, and the private sector to ensure better coordination across different institutions.