site.btaLIK's Romanian Version Showcases Bulgaria's Spa Tourism Potential

The Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) presented Wednesday the first ever Romanian-language version of its LIK magazine titled BG SPA – Health Through Water at the Bookfest International Book Fair in Bucharest, where Bulgaria is this year's guest of honour. The special issue is dedicated to Bulgaria's spa, wellness and medical spa sector and is also available in Bulgarian and English language versions.

Following are highlights of the statements made at the launch:

BTA Director General Kiril Valchev: Today BTA is speaking Romanian. This is the first issue of LIK magazine published in Romanian. The publication features information on 128 certified spa, wellness and medical spa centres across Bulgaria and was produced in connection with HEALTHXCHANGE 2026, a European forum on sustainable health tourism. The issue aims to showcase Bulgaria's strengths as a health tourism destination, highlighting the country's more than 550 thermal and mineral water occurrences, over 1,600 mineral springs, climate therapy destinations and Black Sea resources suitable for thalassotherapy tourism. BTA is planning to begin publishing news in Romanian on its website and social media platforms.

BTA's Economic News Directorate head Tsvetomira Marinova: The Romanian version provides an occasion to discuss the growing importance of tourism contacts between Bulgaria and Romania. According to figures released by Bulgaria's Ministry of Tourism, Romanian visitors logged nearly 1 million check-ins at accommodation establishments in Bulgaria in 2025, up 8.5% from 2024 and more than 50% compared with the pre-pandemic 2019. Romania is one of Bulgaria's most important tourism markets and discussions are underway on joint tourism products and itineraries intended to attract visitors from more distant markets.

BTA's Correspondents Department Deputy Head Reni Nikiforova: The publication's findings show that Romanian tourists are increasingly regarding Bulgaria as a year-round destination rather than limiting their visits to summer seaside holidays and winter ski trips. According to the data presented, Romanian visitors are venturing beyond traditional resorts and border regions, with growing interest in spa destinations such as Velingrad, Hisarya, Pavel Banya and Sandanski, as well as cultural and mountain tourism. Bulgaria tends to attract ever longer stays from Romanian visitors, while Bulgarian tourism businesses are adapting their offerings to meet their preferences.

Romanian AGERPRES National News Agency Director General Claudia Nicolae: BTA's Romanian-language version of the LIK magazine on spa tourism is an example that Romania's national news agency could follow in promoting its own tourism sector. The partnership between BTA and AGERPRES includes a shared responsibility to promote their respective countries, particularly among neighbouring audiences. AGERPRES could undertake a similar initiative, highlighting what Romania has to offer Bulgarian tourists.

Bulgarian Ambassador to Romania Radko Vlaykov: 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. Bulgaria is considering appointing a permanent tourism representative in Bucharest. Efforts are being made not only to attract more Romanian visitors to Bulgaria but also to encourage more Bulgarians to travel to Romania. The event organized with the participation of BTA and AGERPRES is an example of how tourism and cultural cooperation contribute to bilateral relations. Congratulations to BTA Director General Kiril Valchev and his team on the magazine.