Bulgaria, German tour operator TUI plan to double tourist numbers by 2030

Bulgarian Tourism Minister Ilin Dimitrov and Sebastian Ebel, Chief Executive Officer of German tour operator TUI Group, have signed a memorandum of cooperation. The agreement aims to double the number of tourists travelling to Bulgaria through the tour operator, bringing the figure to 400,000 visitors a year.

“As a result of this long-term cooperation, we hope to attract tourists from the United Kingdom as well,” the minister said.

He pointed out that the recovery of the German market is one of the key priorities for the upcoming tourist season. “We want it to be significantly stronger, starting as early as the beginning of May and, weather permitting, continuing until the end of September,” the minister said.

Bulgaria will also be promoted to European audiences through cultural, spa and wellness, nature, wine and gastronomy, sports and congress tourism, he added.

Earlier in the day, a naming ceremony was held at Varna Airport for an aircraft that was given the name of Bulgaria’s maritime capital, VARNA, the Ministry of Tourism reported. The Boeing 737-8 is operated by the German tour operator, while Tourism Minister Ilin Dimitrov served as its godfather at the ceremony.

“Today, Varna is gaining wings, and we will be able to become increasingly active on the international stage,” he said.

Edited by Miglena Ivanova