“Revenues reported in the past winter tourist season amount at EUR 426 million,” Bulgarian Minister of Tourism Nikolina Angelkova said speaking at a sitting of the Parliamentary Committee on Economic Policy and Tourism.

“We held meetings with representatives of the biggest winter resorts – Pamporovo, Bansko and Borovets. We also met with the supervisory authorities. The number of violations reported in the sector has decreased, which means that the laws are observed more.

The past winter season was very successful in terms of number of tourists, who visited Bulgaria. There is 8.2% increase of the tourists. The revenues are estimated at EUR 426 million, which is some 4.5% growth.

I hope that the forthcoming winter tourist season will be even better,” Minister Angelkova remarked.

The minister added that for the first time the country would introduce signage systems.

“Speaking of the visas for Turkish citizens, I may say that there is great interest in Bulgaria as a tourism destination. We held the needed talks. We count on online advertising, including in the social networks,” Ms Angelkova commented further.

She explained that the Ministry of Tourism had worked out amendments to the Tourism Act to assist all types of tourism, especially the winter tourism.

“Bulgaria is in the top 6 of the winter destinations, which is a great achievement,” Nikolina Angelkova said, adding that the country was under negotiations with several low-cost airlines.

“I’ve always supported building new infrastructure to enable Bulgarian resorts expanding their potential when it comes to ski infrastructure,” Minister of Tourism Nikolina Angelkova said.

“We’ve never stopped working in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Talks are being held at European level for the visa waiver. We have envisaged the establishment of a tourism inspectorate. I can assure you that we are in constant touch with our colleagues in the branch discussing with them tourism related activities,” Minister Angelkova said.

“Chepelare - Asenovgrad road will be opened before the beginning of the winter season. Infrastructure is the main priority of the Cabinet. Struma motorway was inaugurated and Maritsa motorway is yet to be opened,” Nikolina Angelkova said.