Russia and Bulgaria with collaboration protocol in tourism sphere

15.10.2013

Our country intends to offer diverse forms of medical, SPA and cultural-historic tourism

Branimir Botev, Deputy Minister of Economy and Energy has signed a protocol in Sankt Peterburg concerning the collaboration enlargement in the touristic sphere between the cultural Ministry of the Russian Federation and the Commonwealth of Independent States. Alla Manilova, Deputy Minister of Culture, has also endorsed the document. The signing was completed within the frameworks of the International Cultural-Historic forum, organized by the Russian Ministry of Culture on the 11-th and the 12-th October 2013.

By signing the protocol, both institutions declare their intention to create most favourable conditions for maximizing the volume of information and the availability of specialists in the touristic branch, mutual enhancement of destinations and routes, activation of contacts between the touristic companies and guarantee of the tourists’ interests and rights.

Botev, the Deputy Minister,focused during the meetings mainly on the possibilities of Bulgaria to offer various forms of medical, SPA and cultural-historic tourism .
‘Patterns will be sought and we will work on the issue regarding how to attract Russian insurance companies in the sphere of SPA and the medical business.’

The clients of these companies could come on holidays and for procedures in Bulgarian balneo-and SPA centers complying to insurance schemes, explained Botev, Deputy Minister. He highlighted that the mutual contacts for the creation of more relaxation centers for Russian children and adolescents will be enlarged.

The youth cultural-informative touristic programmes will also be enriched. Bulgaria concentrates its efforts to attract Russian regions that are willing to invest in touristic objects in various Bulgarian municipalities. A highlight in the document is the collaboration in the sphere of the Orthodox pilgrimage visits, the Bulgarian Deputy Minister sums up.
Branimir Botev has also met with Alexander Shapkin, Head of the Tourism Development Committee in the Sankt Peterburg government.

Our countries have a huge potential to enlarge their contacts in the touristic branch thanks to their historic and cultural proximity, their religious identity and the lack of language barrier, Mr Botev declares. According to data released by STIV-Sankt Peterburg the number of Bulgarian tourists in the region is rising and during the white nights period in Russia, it reaches 1500-200 people. According to Mr Shapkin there is a steady annual growth of tourists from Sankt Peterburg in Bulgaria and their number is most likely to increase.

The programme of the International Forum in Sankt Peterburg encompasses plenary meetings in three section round tables. The discussion topic is the creation of new touristic products, as well as international ones on the ground of cultural-historic heritage. The preparation of specialist in the touristic branch and the quality improvement of services via innovation were also main points in the discussion. Representatives of the Interparliamentary assembly of the Independent States Commonwealth, the Parliamentary assembly of the Black Sea Economic Collaboration, delegations from Latvia, Bulgaria, Kazahstan, Kyrgyzstan as well as cultural and scientific institutions have also participated in the conference. Among their lecturers are experts from the World Tourism Organization of UN and from other specialized international associations.

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