site.btaBalneology and SPA Tourism in Bulgaria Are Destined for Success, Says Employer Organization Head

Balneology and SPA tourism in Bulgaria are destined for success, as the country has key advantages in this sector, according to Rumen Radev, Chairman of the Bulgarian Industrial Capital Association (BICA). He made the statement at the opening of the 12th Annual Congress of the Bulgarian Union of Balneology and SPA Tourism (BUBSPA), taking place on Tuesday at the Hyatt Regency Pravets Resort. BTA is a media partner of the event. 

Radev gave a vivid example, pointing to the hall where the forum is being held, which he estimated at around 8,000 cubic meters in volume. He invited the audience to imagine the space filled with Bulgaria's healing mineral waters. "We are using only a quarter of that potential," he noted. 

According to him, the opportunities for development are vast, but so are the challenges. Unlike traditional tourism, SPA tourism requires significant resources — particularly for equipment and its maintenance. He emphasized the importance of developing qualified personnel, both in the tourism segment and in medical services. 

"The business has a pressing need for specialized staff," Radev said, adding that BICA is firmly committed to promoting and supporting the training of such professionals, as well as the development of the necessary legal framework for the sector to grow and thrive.