BTA presents catalogue on Bulgarian spa tourism in Ankara

The Turkish-language edition of ''BG SPA - Health through Water'', a thematic publication of the Bulgarian News Agency, was presented at BTA’s National Press Club in Ankara.

The event, held on June 22, was attended by BTA Director General Kiril Valchev, Deputy Minister of Tourism Mariela Modеva, Bulgaria’s Ambassador to Türkiye Angel Cholakov, Bulgarian Union of Balneology and Spa Tourism (BUBSPA) representative Georgi Bogdanov, Bulgarian National Radio representative and editor-in-chief of Radio Bulgaria Krasimir Martinov, as well as representatives of Bulgaria’s tourism sector, the Bulgarian community in Ankara, diplomats and guests from Bulgaria and Türkiye.

As part of the presentation of the catalogue, published under BTA’s LIК brand, the agency’s press club in the Turkish capital hosted a gallery exhibition featuring drawings by children from the “Prikazen Svyat” (Fairly World) art studio in Sofia. The artworks depict Bulgaria and Bulgarian traditions.

The catalogue “BG SPA – Health Through Water” was published with the institutional partnership of the Ministry of Tourism and the organizational support of the Bulgarian Union of Balneology and Spa Tourism (BUBSPA). In the publication, BTA, which marked the 128th anniversary of its founding in February, features information about 128 certified spa, wellness, and medical spa centers in Bulgaria, out of more than 200 nationwide.

“Türkiye is a market with a well-established culture and traditions in health, spa, and wellness tourism, creating conditions for Bulgaria’s advantages in the sector to be highly valued by Turkish citizens”, BTA Director General Kiril Valchev said during the presentation of the catalogue. He also noted that “with more than 550 explored thermal and mineral water deposits and over 1,600 mineral springs, Bulgaria ranks first in continental Europe and second in Europe after Iceland in terms of naturally occurring mineral and spring water resources.”

“This is a unique publication that showcases Bulgaria’s enormous potential to welcome tourists from the Republic of Türkiye”, Deputy Minister of Tourism Mariela Modeva said at the presentation of the catalogue.

She also noted that recent years have seen a steady increase in interest among Turkish tourists in Bulgaria. “In the first months of 2026 alone, the number of registered Turkish tourists staying at accommodation facilities in Bulgaria exceeded 95,000. In 2025 their number surpassed 295,000 — an increase of 61% compared with the previous year”, Deputy Minister of Tourism Mariela Modeva said.

“Bulgarian spa, wellness, therapeutic, and balneotherapy centers are certified under strict quality and safety standards. As a result, they maintain a high level of service and provide excellent conditions for both Bulgarian and international guests”, Deputy Minister Modeva said.

Translated by Kostadin Atanasov