Bulgaria likes tourists so much it’s sending thank you cards to them

MANY of our favourite European destinations are turning against us. But this country likes visitors so much it’s sending thank you cards to them.

WHILE most of Europe is actively turning on tourists, staging widespread anti-tourism protests, one country in the region’s southeast is going out of its way to encourage foreign visitors.

The Balkan nation of Bulgaria, bordered by Greece, Romania, Turkey and Serbia, is so chuffed by people wanting to visit that it’s sending thank you cards to those who do.

Bulgaria’s Minister of Tourism, Nikolina Angelkova, has promised to send more than 400,000 cards to foreign tourists who visited over the summer.

Bulgaria is probably best known for its beautiful Black Sea Coast.

The initiative aims to thank the guests for choosing Bulgaria as the destination for their holidays, according to Bulgarian English-language news publication, Sofia News Agency. It has been reported that the card will even be signed personally by Ms Angelkova.

The latest statistics from the Ministry of Tourism show that nearly 5 million foreign tourists visited Bulgaria in the period from January to July 2017. That’s a 7.2 per cent increase compared to the same period of last year — and something the Ministry is very happy about.

Boosting year-round tourism to the country has been a major focus for Ms Angelkova and her department this year.

In August, Ms Angelkova announced a new postage stamp to promote Bulgaria as a holiday destination. The stamp depicts two of Bulgaira’s most popular sightseeing spots, Rila Monastery and Kazanlak Tomb — both of which are UNESCO cultural heritage sites.

Rila Monastery is a famous monastery in Bulgaria.

Ms Angelkova said the postal publication would be shown during the 22nd session of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation General Assembly in China, which takes place this month. “There I will personally have the opportunity to present the publication to high-ranking figures from around the world”, she told The Sofia Globe.

She also said that the department has increased the budget for advertising Bulgaria as a tourist destination.

WHY GO TO BULGARIA?

Bulgaria has a very diverse travel experience on offer but it is probably most well-known for its beach tourism. The country’s Black Sea Coast can rival tourist hot spots Spain and Greece, where you can soak up the sun and sea in the luxurious, purpose-built resorts along the coastline.

One of the Black Sea Coast’s top highlights is Sozopol, with its pristine beaches, cobbled streets and traditional wooden houses. Varna and Burgas are also both famous for summer festivals and night-life.

Inside the famous Rila Monastry.

But Bulgaria’s beauty does not stop at beaches. It also has epic mountains. The Rila mountains were called the “mountains of water” by the ancient Thracians because around 200 glacial lakes and hot springs glisten between the peaks.

Rila is also home to the Rila Monastry. Founded in the 10th century by St John of Rila, it is the largest and most famous Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria and referred to as the country’s spiritual nucleus. Inside its stone walls you’ll find breathtakingly colourful architecture and religious art.

Sofia is the bustling capital of Bulgaria.

And no trip to Bulgaria would be complete without visiting its capital, Sofia. Sofia is Europe’s second-oldest city, founded 7000 years ago. In fact, recent construction of the city’s metro uncovered ancient Roman ruins from nearly 2000 years ago, so it’s normal to walk past Roman brickwork incorporated into new infrastructure. Sofia is also home to many of Bulgaria’s finest museums, galleries and restaurants.