Foreign tourists in Bulgaria increased by 3,644,000 m

Data of the Bulgarian Statistical Institute shows the number of foreign tourists in Bulgaria has increased by 3,644,000, Minister of Tourism Nikolina Angelkova told reporters in Bourgas on 17^th of August. The data was revealed in relation to a statement by former Deputy Minister of Tourism Branimir Botev who said that Angelkova’s management gives tourism to the thick-necks in Bulgaria.

Angelkova said that over the past few years the tourism sector has achieved a lot, and all these actions and attacks will not bring anything positive for the image of Bulgaria as a tourist destination.

I understand that some people are looking for media appearances, but I do not think this is the way, especially by someone who worked for the Bulgarian tourism, Angelkova said. At first she thought Branimir Botev's statement was a joke.

If there is any evidence, the relevant institutions should be alerted. Otherwise, such comments undermines my prestige and that of the institutions, and that is why I am taking legal actions, Angelkova said.

The Minister of Tourism informed that at the moment all beaches on the territory of the country have been inspected. Most of them are checked two or three times. There was a case of a beach, where 10 checks were carried out for the season, added Angelkova.

According to her, the tourist flow data for July was expected. The tourism ministry's expectations are to maintain the growth, which will show that Bulgaria is a sustainable destination.

Today she was in the seaside city of Bourgas to take part in a round table to discuss the project for 12 wine-culinary destinations. Representatives of the local authorities and the tourist and agricultural sector in the region discussed the destinations "Dobrudja and Northern Black Sea" and "Southern Black Sea Coast".

The Round Table is part of the initiative to create and validate destinations, on which the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forestry jointly work.

The Mayor Dimitar Nikolov and the Executive Director of the Executive Agency for Vine and Wine Krassimir Koev also took part in the discussion in Bourgas.