English 
Български
Bulgaria to be Presented on European Markets with the Message “Bulgaria - a Modern Four-season Destination”
The money for national advertising of tourism will increase by more than BGN 4 mln next year. The increase will be mainly at the expense of projects financed under Operational Programme Regional Development (OPRD). This became clear during the meeting of the National Tourism Council. The meeting was opened by Minister of Economy, Energy and Tourism Traicho Traikov, Klassa daily reports.
In 2011, the funds earmarked for national tourism advertising amounted to BGN 18.7 mln, out of which BGN 7.7 mln from the ministry’s budget and the rest under OPRD. For 2012, the amount will total BGN 22.8 mln – BGN 8 mln from the ministry’s budget and the rest under OPRD.
The Ministry of Economy, Energy and Tourism is already applying a methodology for assessing the effectiveness of the 
tourism products offered in Bulgaria, which shows the return on funds invested in them. The Tourism Council has to set up a panel of experts on marketing and advertising with consulting functions.
“Bulgaria has received proposals to be a partner country in the tourism exhibitions in Skopje and Baku, and to attend the 2012 Adventure Travel World Summit in Lucerne, Switzerland,” informed Deputy Minister of Economy, Energy and Tourism Ivo Marinov. As of next year, applications for projects on that kind of travel attractions can be submitted under OPRD.
In 2012, the main messages in the advertising campaign in the sector will be “Bulgaria - a Modern Four-season Destination” (for European markets) and “Discover Bulgaria” (for distant markets - Asia, America, the Far East and the Middle East). The focus will be on specialised products: cultural, balneo, SPA and wellness tourism and not only on competitive prices.
