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Under the pessimistic scenario, a total lockdown will cost BGN 1 billion for our winter tourism, but I strongly support the position of not reaching that option. This was stated by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Mariana Nikolova, in an interview with BTA.
According to her, restrictions in EU member states undoubtedly affect tourists’ plans, but control is underway and uncompromising, because Bulgaria’s prestige as a winter destination with many competitive advantages and as a center is at stake internationally recognized ski resort for professionals. and lovers.
Tourism will be included in the final version of Bulgaria’s National Plan for Reconstruction and Sustainability.
He explained that a working group has been created to prepare proposals for the “Next Generation EU” instrument, which includes representatives from the Ministry of Tourism and experts from sector organizations and higher education institutions. The group will form proposals later this year and we will talk more about them later. Your financial expression will be formed on this basis. “We are unanimous that significant funds are needed to support the industry and to restore it from the unprecedented pandemic,” said the Minister categorically.
The minister clarified that her main policy is to keep the Balkan borders open or, as a last resort, to pass a negative PCR test. He added that Bulgaria remains interesting as a year-round destination for our neighbors despite the pandemic, because we are connected by road.
There is certainly a big drop in early bookings, and for Bulgarians it is less. The late start of the season is logical, but the trust of the guests, lost by the pandemic, must be regained, said the deputy prime minister. According to her, it is expected to maintain interest in spa and spa tourism, which are very relevant in these times of illness.
I am convinced that anti-epidemic measures will help to have a relatively normal winter season, as long as the situation with the spread of the infection allows, as well as the general discipline of measures and social distance, explained Deputy Prime Minister Nikolova.
In a question related to the summer of 2021, the minister explained that work is already underway to prepare for the next summer season, but it is too early to make predictions because the situation is constantly changing. He added that an active policy should be planned in the traditional markets of our country, such as Russia and Germany.
We also work in 18 more markets, which choose Bulgaria for their summer holidays. At the moment, there is interest from Germany, Poland, Ukraine, Russia, the Czech Republic, Israel, Great Britain and other traditional markets. But everything is very dynamic and volatile. We will once again depend on national tourists to continue rediscovering our country as a favorite destination, whether at sea, in the mountains or somewhere in the interior of the country, concluded Deputy Prime Minister Nikolova.
