Officials Map Health Tourism Priorities at Bulgarian SPA Congress

Kaloyan Kirilov

Panel on strategic planning in health tourism at the 12th Annual Congress of the Bulgarian Union of Balneology and SPA Tourism (BUBSPA). From left: Deputy Tourism Minister Irena Georgieva, BUBSPA Ambassador Meglena Plugchieva, BTA Director General Kiril Valchev, Pravets, September 9, 2025 (BTA Photo/Milena Stoykova)

Pravets, Western Bulgaria,

09.09.2025 18:46

(BTA)

Balneology, climatotherapy and regular physical activity were identified as key pillars for a healthier society and as catalysts for year-round health tourism, according to speakers at the 12th Annual Congress of the Bulgarian Union of Balneology and SPA Tourism (BUBSPA) on Tuesday.

"Over the years, prevention and prophylaxis have demonstrated their vital role in this process. In combination with medical tourism, they have proven to be key factors not only in improving health outcomes but also in enhancing overall quality of life," Health Minister Silvi Kirilov said in an address delivered by Deputy Health Minister Dobromira Kareva.

"We believe that climatotherapy is an inseparable part of health tourism, and when combined with balneology, it becomes a key element of the modern concept of healthy living," Deputy Tourism Minister Irena Georgieva said. She cited 2024 data showing that the most visited destinations with well-developed balneology and SPA tourism were Velingrad with over 340,000 registrations, Razlog with over 170,000, and Hisarya with over 150,000, and outlined efforts to build Bulgaria's image as a year-round destination through regulatory improvements and a plan for medical tourism.

Forum participants heard that Bulgaria's mineral-water potential remains underused. "We are using only a quarter of that potential," Bulgarian Industrial Capital Association (BICA) Chair Rumen Radev said, after inviting the audience to picture the conference hall's volume filled with healing waters. "The business has a pressing need for specialized staff," he said, adding that the employer organization backs training programmes and a supportive legal framework.

Bulgaria's sectoral visibility will extend to the European Spas Association congress in Estonia from October 7 to 10, where BTA will be a partner, BTA Director General Kiril Valchev said. BTA is committed to systematically showcasing BUBSPA's activities, he said, referring to forums that BTA holds every summer and winter on the eve of the respective tourist season. One such forum sent the message that Bulgaria is not just a beach or ski destination, but the richest country in continental Europe in terms of mineral springs and tourism opportunities.

BTA is a media partner of the 12th Annual Congress in Pravets.

/KT/