Bulgaria expects nearly 100,000 German airline seats
German tourists are returning to Bulgaria, with two major airlines having announced nearly 100,000 seats to the country for next year. The flights will begin on May 15, Tourism Minister Ilin Dimitrov told reporters here on Thursday. The Ministry of Tourism is also in talks with other carriers to increase air capacity, he added.
“We are carrying out our [governance] programme, which states that we will do everything possible to extend the season, and this is a wonderful start,” Dimitrov said. He noted that the arrival of German tourists next year will begin immediately after the conclusion of the Eurovision Song Contest in May.
Regarding the current summer season, the Minister commented that a final assessment will be made in October, when a comprehensive analysis of the data will be conducted. According to him, the season has been challenging and got off to a shaky start, but so far the figures are on par with last year’s levels, CE Report quotes BTA.
“If we are lucky with good weather in September - and we already have a strong advertising campaign for the final days - I think we can end up with a season similar to last year’s, despite the difficult start,” the Minister added.
He also commented on the possibilities for facilitating travel for tourists from Turkiye, noting that active work is underway on the issue. The Minister explained that specific details on this matter must be announced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Dimitrov also said that interest among tourists from Turkiye in the Eurovision Song Contest in Burgas is expected to increase, and that calls for an increased capacity of consular services.
In his words, Bulgaria is also hoping for support from the European Commission for the introduction of the so-called “visa at the border” for certain cases, which would allow tourists who have already entered the country to obtain a visa when crossing the border again. According to the Minister, this would reduce lines and allow consular services to process more documents.
In his words, Bulgaria is also hoping for support from the European Commission for the introduction of the so-called “visa at the border” for certain cases, which would allow tourists who have already entered the country to obtain a visa when crossing the border again. According to the Minister, this would reduce lines and allow consular services to process more documents.
Speaking to reporters ahead of the opening of the Apollonia Festival of Arts, he described it as an embodiment of the spirit of Sozopol and representing the type of tourism that Bulgaria wants to develop - namely, cultural tourism. He emphasized that tourists visiting Sozopol during the festival do not merely enjoy the sea, the beach, the fresh air, and the town, but also immerse themselves in a cultural environment.
It is no coincidence that 2026 has been declared the Year of Cultural Tourism by the Ministry of Tourism, Dimitrov stated, adding that the development of cultural tourism will be among the main priorities in the Ministry’s work. According to him, Apollonia is one of the events that contribute to the development of this type of tourism and to establishing Sozopol as a cultural and tourist destination.
Photo: Instagram/dimitrovilin
