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Alternative Forms of Tourism Can Save the Sector - Experts

Friday, Oct 09, 2015

Bulgaria has a tourist potential which should be developed by alternative
forms of tourism, experts say. The focus should be shifted from
the Black Sea coast to the inland, Dimiter Popov, an expert in
the field and tour operator, commented. Popov is a member
of the Board of the Association of Bulgarian Tour Operators and
Travel Agents.

The difficulties in the sector are related to decreasing
overnights, revenues, decline of the tourist product, and
particularly to the development of the Black Sea coast. That is
why high-value-added alternative forms important for the economy
and the regions should be developed.

There is a potential to develop trekking, biking and skiing,
hydrotherapy, climbing, horseback riding, and even dental
tourism in Bulgaria. These forms can rely on skilled staff and
can be provided the year round, Popov said. The most
sustainable product targets small groups or individual tourists
who visit Northwestern Bulgaria, the Fore-Balkan and the Eastern
Rhodope Mountains. They are accommodated in small boarding
houses. Trekking or mountain-biking routes are offered.

Bulgarians are not a travelling nation because of their low
purchasing power and they prefer bus excursions in Europe.
However, the number of excursions with an educational element is
increasing compared to simple holidaying. The problem of tour
operators is that many Bulgarians avoid their services and
organize their trips and stays themselves, but this is also
observed on an international scale.

In order to improve the quality of the tourist product the
Ministry of Tourism has suggested a halving of the fees for
administrative services under the Tourism Act.

Zoning is an important condition for the development of tourism
and the Council of Ministers has already developed a concept to
this end, Deputy Tourism Minister Irena Georgieva told.

Nine tourist regions have been designated in Bulgaria, and now
the organisations for their management should be developed. The
idea is that they will function at the local level and will be
able to accumulate funds for development of local tourist
products, local brands mainly under EU programmes.

The development of spa and medical tourism is yet another
priority of the Ministry.

The tourism industry revenues shrank during the past summer
season, although the results for August and September have yet
to be calculated. The number of Russian and Ukrainian tourists
has declined, but the interest of French tourists has increased
by 11 per cent. The decline of foreign tourists is about 20 per
cent, Georgieva said. There is also a decline from the Central
European markets, but the number of tourists from Israel and the
Middle East has increased.

Interest on the part of Chinese investors is also increasing.

Source: www.bta.bg