Bulgaria has exceptional potential in cultural tourism, Minister Evtim Miloshev said in Veliko Tarnovo

Veliko Tarnovo is the heart of cultural tourism, said the Acting Minister of Tourism Evtim Miloshev during his visit to the old capital, where he attended the opening of the “Sofia Film Fest”. It is something that even for myself I recognize as a personal cause, because I still come from this sphere. At the Ministry of Tourism, our main task is to promote Bulgaria as a tourist destination, so we can do many things. This is about specific programs and this is our main task. And Veliko Tarnovo is in our heart, he added.

The official minister pointed out that cultural tourism has not stopped and the Municipality of Veliko Tarnovo has a very serious concept in this regard. With the mayor, Daniel Panov, they discussed programs related to joint financing by the Ministry of Tourism, Municipalities and tour operators for the promotion of our country abroad. Such are already taking place along the Black Sea, and the goal is to enter the interior of Bulgaria as well.

These are programs that are up to BGN 400,000, but now this threshold has been raised to BGN 600,000. This is something that is coming and will happen, regardless of whether with the official cabinet or with the next ones, but it is a matter of work, Miloshev emphasized. He clarified that it is about tourists coming and consuming cultural tourism in itself, and not those who came along the Black Sea to be led to Veliko Tarnovo, because cultural tourism is something that is worth developing independently.

Cultural tourism in general on a global scale is something that has developed very strongly in the post-covid period, and our country has exceptional potential in this regard, said the official minister. According to him, the main problems of the tourism business are mainly related to the lack of personnel and the quality of people who work in tourism, and it is necessary to raise the prestige of the professions that are related to this sector. Miloshev also met with representatives of the High School of Tourism, as well as the two universities in Veliko Tarnovo, noting that this is something worth investing in.

The fact that in tourism we need labor from third countries means that there is a problem with the people who are employed and working in this field. It was a good discussion and a conversation that I appreciate as very positive, Miloshev said.