site.btaTourism Minister Borshosh Discusses Prospects of Israeli Tourism Market with Israir Airlines Representatives

Tourism Minister Miroslav Borshosh held a meeting with representatives of Israir Airlines, a leading Israeli airline and part of IDB Tourism Group – the largest international tourism services provider based in Israel, the Bulgarian Tourism Ministry reported here on Wednesday.

During the meeting, opportunities were discussed for expanding the partnership with the airline and encouraging travel from Israel to Bulgaria. Minister Borshosh emphasized the efforts of the State and the Ministry of Tourism to establish a positive image of Bulgaria as a welcoming and safe destination in target markets. This image is a key factor in the recovery and sustainable growth of the Israeli market following a temporary decline due to instability in the Middle East region.

Israir Airlines expressed readiness and interest in deepening bilateral cooperation, as evidenced by the company's existing charter flights to Varna, which are aimed at visitors interested in gambling, cultural, and holiday tourism.

Israir transports over one million passengers annually, including to major airports such as Ben Gurion Airport (Tel Aviv), Ramon Airport, and Haifa Airport, which serve as the airline’s main hubs.

Minister Borshosh noted that Israel remains a strategic market for Bulgarian tourism. In the period from January to May 2025 alone, over 71,000 registrations of Israeli tourists were recorded at accommodation facilities in Bulgaria—an increase of more than 76% compared to the same period in 2024, and nearly 33% compared to 2019. Israeli tourists are primarily interested in visiting cities such as Sofia, Varna, Bansko, Nessebar, Samokov, and Velingrad.

At the end of the meeting, both sides emphasized their readiness to work together on attracting even more Israeli tourists, including through marketing campaigns, new travel routes, and improved flight connections to meet the growing demand and diverse interests of travelers from Israel to Bulgaria.