Electronic Media Regulator Chair: Clear State Communication Needed to Highlight Bulgaria’s Tourism Advantages

Tatiana Marinova

Simona Veleva, Chair of the Council for Electronic Media, addresses the BG Tourism – Winter 2025/2026 forum, Pamporovo, December 6, 2025 (BTA Photo/Boyan Botev)

Pamporovo, Southern Bulgaria,

06.12.2025 13:50

(BTA)

There is a need for clear strategic communication from the state to position and highlight the advantages of Bulgaria’s tourist destinations for both domestic and international audiences, said Simona Veleva, Chair of the Council for Electronic Media (CEM), during the BG Tourism – Winter 2025/2026 forum held in Pamporovo on Saturday.

The forum is organized by BTA in partnership with the Municipality of Chepelare, the Bulgarian Union of Balneology and SPA Tourism (BUBSPA), and the resort of Pamporovo. The event is part of BTA's initiative to host forums twice a year – at the beginning of the summer and winter tourist seasons – to discuss the messages for the presentation of tourism in Bulgaria during the upcoming season with representatives of state and municipal institutions, the tourism business, non-governmental organizations, scientists, and experts.

“At the start of the tourist season, it is important to consider how our beautiful country is presented in the media and how it reaches every tourist who might choose it. The CEM monitors both traditional and online media,” Veleva added.

She noted a need for more positive content about Bulgaria’s tourist destinations, promoted through influencers. She also commented on disinformation campaigns that significantly harm Bulgarian tourism and the country’s image. “These campaigns are often coordinated and aim to damage our tourist destinations. However, we notice the current government’s efforts. There have been attempts to include Bulgaria in culinary tourism. I believe all of this can succeed only if we are coordinated. If we have unified, targeted and sustainable efforts, Bulgaria can showcase its wonderful people, nature, culture and hospitality. It is up to us to promote it in the best possible way,” she said.

BTA Director General Kiril Valchev, who opened the event, commented that the media are expected to provide a platform for meaningful debate on accessibility to the mountains, which should not turn into scandal, and to raise the topic of prevention as part of the broader discussion on health tourism.

Among those invited to participate in the forum are parliamentary Tourism Committee Chairman Desislav Taskov (BSP – United Left), Minister of Youth and Sports Ivan Peshev, Minister of Tourism Miroslav Borshosh, and deputy ministers. The forum will also include representatives of local authorities, heads of organizations in the tourism business and resort complexes, and educational institutions in the field of tourism. Veleva and leaders of media outlets that are members of the Union of Bulgarian National Electronic Media, of which BTA is also a member, have also been invited: Milen Mitev, Director General of Bulgarian National Radio and Chairman of the Union of Bulgarian National Electronic Media, Anton Andonov, Member of the Management Board of Bulgarian National Television, Gospodin Yovchev, Chief Operating Officer of bTV Media Group, Marta Evtimova, Chief Producer of News and Current Affairs at Nova Broadcasting Group, as well as other national and regional media outlets.

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