FROM next year, the Economy Ministry will launch a new Executive Agency for National Tourist Advertising and Information, which, apart from presenting Bulgaria abroad, will have to build a reservation system and national electronic network, and a chain of tourist information offices.
This was stated in the issue of the State Gazette on November 29. Deputy Economy Minister Dimitar Hadjinikolov insisted on a budget of 20 million leva for tourist advertising in Bulgaria, bearing in mind the fact that for this year, a total of five million leva was envisaged. The agency, which will have the right to receive income from its own activities, will implement a programme for advertising, approved by the National Council on Tourism. It will comprise the minister and representatives from the municipalities' union, tourism, carriers and consumers. Representatives from private business said they were content with the establishment of the agency, as well as with the fact that its funds will be allocated along with the sector organisations.
The measures for improving tourism promotion put forward by National Movement Simeon II MP Dimitar Lambovski had been suggested by branch representatives, the Head of the Bulgarian Association of Tourist Agencies Donka Sokolova told Net Radio on Sunday. Professional associations welcomed the establishment of a new "ministry of tourism", she added. If they accept the part of the tender proposing the establishment of the new agency, this will have a positive effect on the development of the sector. Only then can there be any state policy involved, Sokolova stated.
Meanwhile, a programme for promoting eco-tourism will be launched next year with around 7 million euros provided by Phare, said Ljubomir Popyordanov of the Association of Alternative Tourism last Thursday.
Some 3500 foreign lovers of alternative tourism spent about half million euro staying in Bulgarian villages this year, said Popyordanov. France is a very important market as many French nature connoisseurs visit Bulgaria. People from the UK, the US and Australia have enquired about Bulgarian training in needlework, carpet and pottery making.
The potential market in Bulgaria is some 140 000 people, mostly comprising school tourists and university students, according to a survey by the Association.
As a result of this survey, 10 posters have been produced to advertise the Bulgarian mountains. They target a youth audience and will be put up in schools, community centres, cultural centres and sports facilities.
This was stated in the issue of the State Gazette on November 29. Deputy Economy Minister Dimitar Hadjinikolov insisted on a budget of 20 million leva for tourist advertising in Bulgaria, bearing in mind the fact that for this year, a total of five million leva was envisaged. The agency, which will have the right to receive income from its own activities, will implement a programme for advertising, approved by the National Council on Tourism. It will comprise the minister and representatives from the municipalities' union, tourism, carriers and consumers. Representatives from private business said they were content with the establishment of the agency, as well as with the fact that its funds will be allocated along with the sector organisations.
The measures for improving tourism promotion put forward by National Movement Simeon II MP Dimitar Lambovski had been suggested by branch representatives, the Head of the Bulgarian Association of Tourist Agencies Donka Sokolova told Net Radio on Sunday. Professional associations welcomed the establishment of a new "ministry of tourism", she added. If they accept the part of the tender proposing the establishment of the new agency, this will have a positive effect on the development of the sector. Only then can there be any state policy involved, Sokolova stated.
Meanwhile, a programme for promoting eco-tourism will be launched next year with around 7 million euros provided by Phare, said Ljubomir Popyordanov of the Association of Alternative Tourism last Thursday.
Some 3500 foreign lovers of alternative tourism spent about half million euro staying in Bulgarian villages this year, said Popyordanov. France is a very important market as many French nature connoisseurs visit Bulgaria. People from the UK, the US and Australia have enquired about Bulgarian training in needlework, carpet and pottery making.
The potential market in Bulgaria is some 140 000 people, mostly comprising school tourists and university students, according to a survey by the Association.
As a result of this survey, 10 posters have been produced to advertise the Bulgarian mountains. They target a youth audience and will be put up in schools, community centres, cultural centres and sports facilities.
