The financial dimension of full membership in the Schengen area is on average about 300 million leva additionally. This was told to BTA by the acting Minister of Tourism Evtim Miloshev.
He explained that a preliminary analysis was conducted in the "Tourism Policy" Directorate of the ministry, which shows that the direct benefits for tourism in the coming years amount to an average of about 300 million leva additionally.
"This is the financial dimension of the Schengen area. The security that it gives us that we are part of this space is something that is a very important factor for tourism. The best message that Bulgaria can send to the world for 2025 is that Bulgaria, in addition to being a wonderful tourist destination, is also a safe destination. Our presence in the Schengen area is a guarantee of this security“, Minister Miloshev pointed out and added that this is very important.
"Even the most beautiful place in the world, if it is not safe, if a person does not feel protected, especially if he goes on tourism and vacation, becomes unpreferred. So on the one hand this is security, on the other hand it is authority for our country. Undoubtedly this is a very big opportunity for tourism. This is a strategic priority, very long-awaited news, a very long-awaited decision - it has been 18 years. I must tell you that even the fact that we now have access to three seas, metaphorically speaking, is a good opportunity both for Bulgarians who can consume, travel freely and for foreigners who can come and enjoy the exceptional beauties that our nature offers, the exceptional cultural and historical heritage that we have and the legendary hospitality. "All this is very important for the development of sustainable tourism," the acting Minister of Tourism also said.