site.btaBulgarian Ambassador: Stronger Cultural Exchange and Tourism Links between Bulgaria and Romania Help Drive Growth in Travel

Stronger cultural exchange and tourism links between Bulgaria and Romania are helping drive growth in travel between the two countries, Bulgarian Ambassador to Romania Radko Vlaykov said at the presentation of the Romanian-language edition of BTA's LIK magazine, BG SPA – Health Through Water, during the Bookfest international book fair in Bucharest.

"The more we get to know each other, the more Bulgarian tourists there will be in Romania and Romanian tourists in Bulgaria," Vlaykov said. He noted that over the past 35 years Bulgarians and Romanians have come to better understand each other, with tourism and cultural exchange playing a key role in the process. "What mattered most was that we started getting to know each other better and, as a result, understanding each other better and realizing how close we are," he added.

Vlaykov said Bulgaria is considering appointing a permanent tourism representative in Bucharest and stressed that efforts are being made not only to attract more Romanian visitors to Bulgaria but also to encourage more Bulgarians to travel to Romania.

He described the event, organized with the participation of BTA and Romania's national news agency Agerpres, as an example of how tourism and cultural cooperation contribute to bilateral relations.

Commenting on the Romanian-language edition of LIK, the ambassador also highlighted the continuing value of printed publications. "There is something different about holding paper in your hands," he said, congratulating BTA Director General Kiril Valchev and his team on the magazine.