Greece – Bulgaria Agree to Joint Tourism Initiatives in 2024-2026

Greece and Bulgaria are aiming to further strengthen cooperation in tourism and boost tourist flows between the two countries in the next two years, according to a joint action plan approved in Sofia this week.

The Bulgarian cabinet approved a joint action plan in tourism for the 2024-2026 period between the tourism ministries of Greece and Bulgaria.

Among others, under the strategy, the two ministries have agreed to work together to develop new forms of tourism including thermal, cultural, marine, mountain, and ecotourism. Additionally, the two countries have agreed to exchange tourism knowhow, to enhance tourism training opportunities and to participate in joint projects funded by the EU.

Greece and Bulgaria will also cooperate within the framework of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC).

Greece is a main source market for Bulgaria. In 2022, Greek travelers made 806,000 visits to the neighboring country, up by 211 percent, making Greece the second largest inbound market after Romania. In the same year, 1.3 million Bulgarians traveled to Greece.

Earlier this summer, Greece and Bulgaria agreed to launch joint initiatives to boost tourist flows between the two countries during the 68th meeting of the UNWTO Commission for Europe held in Sofia.

Bulgaria will be the honored country at this year’s Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF), set to take place on September 9-17 in Thessaloniki.