Bulgaria is a competitive destination on the health tourism map, says union chairperson

12th annual congress of Bulgarian Union of Spa Tourism is kicking off in Pravets

Monday 8 September 2025 08:28

Monday, 8 September 2025, 08:28

Siyka Katsarova

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Bulgaria is positioning itself on the health tourism map as a competitive destination, offering a quality product at the European level. This was stated to BTA by Dr. Siyka Katsarova, President of the Bulgarian Union of Balneology and SPA Tourism, in connection with the 12th annual congress of the union starting on September 9 in Pravets.

Katsarova pointed out that as of June 30, according to data from the Ministry of Tourism, Bulgaria has 44 medical spas, 110 spas, 35 relaxation centers. A large part of the medical spas and spa hotels offer their guests food from their own farms or from the region, wine from wineries in the region.

Among the leading destinations are Velingrad, Pavel Banya, Banya/Razlog, Hisarya, Sandanski, Sapareva Banya, Kyustendil, Belchin Banya, Ognyanovo, Devin, Pamporovo, Bansko, Borovets. The Bulgarian Black Sea Coast is also rich in spa destinations, namely "St. St. Constantine and Elena", Albena, Pomorie, Sunny Day, Golden Sands, Kranevo, Obzor, St. Vlas.

80% of the visitors to these centers are Bulgarians, and among the guests from abroad, the most numerous are those from Greece, the Republic of North Macedonia, Germany, Israel.

According to Siika Katsarova, one of the main challenges facing the sector is connectivity - flights to Burgas are seasonal, and to Varna outside the active summer season are extremely insufficient.

Edited by Miglena Ivanova
English: R. Petkova

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