Tourism Minister Evtim Miloshev opened the forum "Bulgaria - Discover and Share" in Istanbul, Turkiye, reports the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA). The forum aims to explore opportunities for interaction between the Bulgarian and Turkish tourism products.

"I believe that there is a serious potential to further develop the tourism exchange between the two countries," Minister Miloshev said. He also added that the Bulgarian winter tourism destinations are well known in Turkiye, and Bansko is in their range, stressing that over 53,000 Turkish tourists visited Bulgaria in the period 1 December 2023 - 25 March 2024, and there is a potential for many more in the upcoming winter season.

"There is a need to create a common tourism product between Turkiye and Bulgaria. Our countries are interested in establishing common tourist itineraries based on our common history, culture and culinary traditions," Tourism Minister Evtim Miloshev said during his meeting with representatives of the Association of Turkish Travel Agencies (TURSAB) in Istanbul.

During the meeting, TURSAB shared data that Bulgaria is currently number one in inquiries and demand from Turkish tourists for visits to winter and spa resorts in the country.

The focus of the joint work of the National Tourist Representation of Bulgaria in Turkey and TURSAB is on the promotion of destination Bulgaria among the 25 million people who live in the areas of Istanbul, Bursa, Izmir and Çorlu, due to the excellent transport connectivity that has been built in recent years and significantly reduces the travel time by car.

Minister Miloshev also held a working meeting with Turkish Airlines. The focus of the talks was on expanding opportunities for attracting tourists to Bulgaria from Turkiye, as well as from destinations in China and Japan. Turkish Airlines expressed its willingness to promote destination Bulgaria as part of a common tourism product with Turkiye.