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TouristMedia interviewed Deputy Economy, Energy and Tourism Minister Ivo Marinov
What can you tell us about World Travel Market (WTM) tourism fair in London?
The Bulgarian stand has area of 252 sq m. The presentation was good and Bulgaria was represented by 15 companies and two municipalities – Sofia and Plovdiv.
Yet, we felt the effects of the financial crisis. Most of the presentation booths were simple and probably depending on limited budgets.
Traditionally, Greece, Turkey and Croatia presented their marketing materials outside the fair. Their promotional materials could be spotted throughout London.
How do you compare Bulgaria’s market position, taking into consideration the Greek and Turkish tourism product? Some of the exhibitors we talked to said that Bulgaria should compare itself to Romania rather than to Greece and Turkey?
Talking about advertising, Romania managed to allocate serious funding to that aim during WTM. This, however, speaks about financial capabilities. I do not believe that Bulgaria should compare itself to Romania, we should aim higher. Taking that into consideration, Bulgaria should compare itself to Greece, Turkey and Croatia – the countries that are its direct competitors. Romania’s tourism opportunities cannot compare to those in Bulgaria, maybe except for winter resort options.
Starting January 1 2010 Bulgaria cancels visas for Macedonian and Serbian travelers. Do you believe that tourists from the countries can compensate for the decrease in the number of British visitors?
Most probably, visa cancellation will take place on December 19. If this truly happens, we will have the chance to experience some tourist inflow during the opening of the winter season. Chepelare resort will open the season on December 4, Pamporovo’s season opening is scheduled for December 5. We hope that this will compensate for the eventual decrease in the number of British visitors.
We plan to schedule a presentation of Bulgarian companies in Skopje since the embassy there will provide exhibition area. This will improve business contacts between Bulgarian hotel owners and tour operators and Macedonian companies in the sphere of tourism. Such type of communication could increase the number of Macedonian visitors to Bulgaria.
What can you tell us about World Travel Market (WTM) tourism fair in London?
The Bulgarian stand has area of 252 sq m. The presentation was good and Bulgaria was represented by 15 companies and two municipalities – Sofia and Plovdiv.
Yet, we felt the effects of the financial crisis. Most of the presentation booths were simple and probably depending on limited budgets.
Traditionally, Greece, Turkey and Croatia presented their marketing materials outside the fair. Their promotional materials could be spotted throughout London.
How do you compare Bulgaria’s market position, taking into consideration the Greek and Turkish tourism product? Some of the exhibitors we talked to said that Bulgaria should compare itself to Romania rather than to Greece and Turkey?
Talking about advertising, Romania managed to allocate serious funding to that aim during WTM. This, however, speaks about financial capabilities. I do not believe that Bulgaria should compare itself to Romania, we should aim higher. Taking that into consideration, Bulgaria should compare itself to Greece, Turkey and Croatia – the countries that are its direct competitors. Romania’s tourism opportunities cannot compare to those in Bulgaria, maybe except for winter resort options.
Starting January 1 2010 Bulgaria cancels visas for Macedonian and Serbian travelers. Do you believe that tourists from the countries can compensate for the decrease in the number of British visitors?
Most probably, visa cancellation will take place on December 19. If this truly happens, we will have the chance to experience some tourist inflow during the opening of the winter season. Chepelare resort will open the season on December 4, Pamporovo’s season opening is scheduled for December 5. We hope that this will compensate for the eventual decrease in the number of British visitors.
We plan to schedule a presentation of Bulgarian companies in Skopje since the embassy there will provide exhibition area. This will improve business contacts between Bulgarian hotel owners and tour operators and Macedonian companies in the sphere of tourism. Such type of communication could increase the number of Macedonian visitors to Bulgaria.
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