German Tour Operators, Travel Agents Have Positive Expectations about Bulgaria Programs – Tourism Ministry

Jerusalem, 13 February, 2023 (TPS) -- SOFIA, 13.02.2023 (BTA)
Bulgaria’s Tourism Ministry and tourism companies held a successful series of bilateral business meetings in several German cities aimed to strengthen and boost contacts and promote destination Bulgaria. German tour operators and travel agents have positive expectations about this year’s Bulgarian holidays and stressed the need of expanding the flights program. So far, German tour operators have seen an up to 20% increase in early bookings from a year earlier.

The February 6-10 meetings took place in Berlin, Leipzig, Munich, Frankfurt, Duisburg and Dusseldorf. This is the second roadshow after one in Poland late in 2022, the Tourism Ministry said.

The Bulgarian companies talked with representatives of more than 300 potential German partners who showed an interest mostly in seaside holidays. Other highlights of the talks were tours of the country, medical and health tourism, hiking and other specific forms.

Speaking at the opening of the initiative, Bulgarian Ambassador Elena Shekereltova stressed the importance of the German tourism market and its huge potential for Bulgaria.

Germany is one of the key priority tourism markets for Bulgaria. Visits and nights spent increased in the last two years but still are below pre-2019 levels. In 2022, German tourists accounted for nearly 15% of all nights spent in Bulgaria and were among those who spent the longest holidays, between 4.5 and 4.7 days on average. In general, they opt for package tours for seaside holidays, tours, health, SPA and wellness tourism, as well as for pre- and post-peak season bookings at the seaside. German tourists most often visit Varna, Nessebar, Sofia, Balchik, Pomorie and Sozopol.

The Bulgarian delegation of 15 representatives of tour operators and hoteliers was led by the Tourism Attache in Berlin, Tihomir Patarinski, who represents the Tourism Ministry in Germany. Fraport Twin Star Airport Management CEO Dr Frank Quante, who chairs the Board of the Bulgarian Black Sea Alliance, helped implement the business initiative.

In Berlin and Munich, the potential of destination Bulgaria was presented to tourism media. Discussions focused on year-round tourism and connectivity between the two countries. The meetings took place with the active participation of Bulgarian Consul General Dragomir Dimitrov (Munich), Honorary Consul Heiko Schmidt (Leipzig) and the heads of the trade missions.

In early February, Tourism Minister Ilin Dimitrov presented the priorities of the newly appointed caretaker cabinet. Saying that German tourist numbers had dropped threefold during the COVID crisis, he suggested that a stronger advertising campaign through tour operators should target that market. Companies winning public procurement contracts will be obliged to advertise through tour operators, he said.

A roadshow in Israel is upcoming.

Ilin Dimitrov said presentations would be scheduled in five countries for next year. The idea is to have tourism attaches organize such annual events in target markets.