Strong investor interest could help develop Spa tourism in Bulgaria and increase the earnings from the sector. The problem that currently stops investment in this field is the lack of specialised legislation and a clear status of the mineral baths. This was said by Tsveti Milanova, chair of the Bulgarian Union of Balneology and Spa Tourism (BUBST), Dnevnik daily reported on June 11.
For a number of years, tourism representatives in Bulgaria have been pushing for the creation of specialised legislation to guarantee the status of the baths and the way they are maintained.
Currently, income from Spa tourism in Bulgaria makes up just three per cent of all tourism revenue. The idea is for the country to establish itself as an all-seasons destination through the development of Spa tourism. The owners of mineral water baths in Bulgaria are the municipalities and the Ministry of Health. If the baths are modernised, they could generate income for the owners, as well as to private investors, Milanova said. According to her, the BUBST has the guarantee of the Health Ministry, that there currently are plans for a change of legislation, and a change in baths’ status is to be expected soon.
Another issue not to be underestimated, is the lack of modern-road access to the mineral baths. The lack of regular direct flights to countries which are potential markets for the Bulgarian Spa tourism, such as Finland and Estonia, is also a big issue. Recently, the manger of a property agency and owner of a hotel in Velingrad (one of the most popular Spa destinations in Bulgaria), Angel Manolov, explained that poor infrastructure and difficult access to Velingrad, is precisely what stops investor interest.
Much more advertising abroad of the Spa tourism potential in Bulgaria is necessary.
Recently BUBST became a member of the European Spa structure and this gives access for Bulgarian companies to international know-how, Milanova said. BUBST will help its members to receive a stamp from the European Spa structure, and this way be included in its international registers.
BUBST was founded at the beginning of the year and already has about 50 members from the tourism sector.
