site.btaTourism Deputy Minister: Euro Will Boost Sustainable Tourism and Attract Foreign Investment

The euro will create a more favorable environment for attracting foreign investment in sustainable tourism facilities – from energy-efficient hotels to eco-villages and educational centers – and such sites are becoming increasingly common in the country, said Deputy Minister of Tourism Irena Georgieva during a discussion titled The Euro, the Environment, and Sustainable Tourism: New Horizons in a Common Currency, held at the Ministry of Environment and Water here on Monday with the participation of mayors and municipal representatives. Its aim is to discuss the effects of the euro’s introduction on the development of sustainable tourism while preserving natural resources.

Easier access to Bulgaria and greater price predictability will attract tourists, especially to lesser-known regions, Georgieva added. According to her, there is also potential to encourage smaller groups of individual travelers to visit the country. She noted that the euro is the preferred currency in almost 40% of cross-border payments worldwide and for nearly half of the European Union’s global exports. She expressed the view that Bulgaria’s adoption of the euro in January next year will be well received by tourists, drawing a comparison with the country’s progress after joining the Schengen Area.

“Bulgaria’s entry into Schengen opened wide the doors for tourism, and our country continues to establish itself as a safe destination,” she said. Between January and May 2025, nearly 2.7 million tourist registrations were recorded at accommodation facilities, with more than 6 million overnight stays. Compared to the same period in 2024, the number of tourists increased by 6.8%, while overnight stays rose by 5.2%, Georgieva reported.

Against the backdrop of the numerous challenges facing the world today, tourism remains a key driver of economic development and cultural connection between people, the Deputy Minister of Tourism said. Building a positive image is crucial, she emphasized.

Bulgaria’s entry into the eurozone is not only an economic process but also an opportunity to forge a new identity for the country in the European and global context, Georgieva commented. The tourism sector, she said, views this process naturally and without mistrust or stress.