site.btaTourism Minister: Northwestern Bulgaria Has Everything It Needs, the Point Is Who Will Promote It
Tourism Minister Miroslav Borshosh Saturday visited the Chiprovtsi Carpet Festival, where he met with Chiprovtsi Mayor Plamen Petkov, engaged with local artisans and spoke with traditional carpet weavers. During the visit, Borshosh talked about the region's untapped tourism potential.
"Northwestern Bulgaria has everything needed to develop tourism: outstanding natural assets, traditional crafts and hospitable people capable of offering a quality tourism product," Borshosh said. "The real question is what the state has done so far, and who is willing to work to make this visible. In recent years, we have seen the region completely neglected: poor infrastructure and no targeted marketing strategy to promote the product."
Borshosh announced his Ministry had been working on a detailed map to identify areas with strong tourism potential and ensure there are accessible routes leading to them.
For tourism to succeed and attract a consistent flow of visitors, the national and local governments and the tourism industry should pool efforts, he said. "Chiprovtsi is a great example, being a neat and orderly municipality with preserved crafts and adequate accommodation options. Now it is up to the state to promote the destination, showcase what we offer, and clearly define which markets are being targeted."
The Minister stressed that preserving traditional crafts, especially the production of Chiprovtsi carpets, is a top priority for his team, recognizing their value as part of Bulgaria's intangible cultural heritage. "This could not only increase tourist interest but could also help keep people in their hometowns and combat the demographic crisis," he added.
Mayor Plamen Petkov said the municipality is actively working to open a specialized class in carpet weaving at the local school. Interest has already been expressed by parents from across the country, and even from abroad, who would enrol their children to learn the centuries-old tradition of weaving Chiprovtsi carpets on the town's characteristic looms.
Earlier in the day, Borshosh participated in the opening of the 10th Chiprovtsi Carpet Festival.
/DD/
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