Tourexpi
UN Tourism Launches Investment Guidelines Highlighting Bulgaria’s Tourism Potential
UN Tourism has officially launched Tourism Doing
Business: Investing in Bulgaria, a new set of guidelines outlining investment
opportunities in the country’s tourism sector. The publication comes as
Bulgaria enters a new investment cycle, supported by macroeconomic stability,
full EU integration and strong tourism performance.
The guidelines were formally presented to Bulgaria’s
outgoing Minister of Tourism, Miroslav Borshos, during his official visit to UN
Tourism headquarters in Madrid.
A diverse and competitive tourism landscape
Presenting the publication, UN Tourism
Secretary-General Shaikha Al Nuwais highlighted the country’s broad appeal. She
described Bulgaria as one of Europe’s most exciting destinations, citing its
mix of cultural heritage, nature-based tourism, spa and wellness offers, urban
experiences and year-round travel opportunities. According to UN Tourism, the
guidelines also underline Bulgaria’s commitment to transparency,
competitiveness and a stable fiscal framework within the European Union.
Investment-friendly environment
The publication notes that Bulgaria has developed a
system designed to simplify permitting procedures, reduce project risk and
improve predictability of returns on investment. The country has established
itself as a year-round destination, combining sun-and-beach tourism with winter
travel, wellness and cultural heritage. Key assets include 25 Blue Flag beaches
and 10 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, positioning Bulgaria as a differentiated
alternative within the European tourism market.
Strong performance and growing investor interest
Tourism Doing Business: Investing in Bulgaria provides
data-driven insights into market performance and regulatory processes.
According to the report, Bulgaria welcomed a record 13.3 million international
visitors in 2024, exceeding pre-pandemic 2019 levels by 5.6 percent. Domestic
tourism also recorded strong growth, with spending reaching €1.14 billion in
2024, an increase of 89 percent compared with 2019. International tourism
receipts totalled USD 4.3 billion in 2024, with growth continuing into 2025.
The guidelines also point to increasing interest from
international hotel groups. Major brands including Hyatt, Marriott, Hilton,
Meliá, Radisson, IHG and Accor are expanding through rebranding and new
developments in destinations such as Sofia, Plovdiv, Albena, Burgas and Obzor.
Pipeline projects, including the Marriott I Tower and the anticipated entry of
luxury brands such as Nobu, further strengthen Bulgaria’s positioning as an
emerging premium tourism market.
With the release of these guidelines, UN Tourism aims
to provide investors with greater clarity and confidence, reinforcing
Bulgaria’s role as a competitive and increasingly attractive destination for
tourism investment in Europe.
Image
Credit: © AA
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