In a significant move to enhance economic ties, Albania and Bulgaria have signed a joint action plan aimed at fostering tourism cooperation. The agreement was reached during a meeting between Albania’s Minister of Tourism and Environment, Mirela Kumbaro, and her Bulgarian counterpart, Evtim Miloshev.

Why is this important: Key highlights of the meeting included discussions on restoring direct flights between Tirana and Sofia and the development of joint tourist itineraries. Minister Kumbaro emphasized the importance of creating shared tourist maps, particularly for attracting visitors from distant markets like Asia and America. Additionally, the joint plan aims to improve information sharing and promote sustainable tourism practices.

Minister Miloshev praised Albania’s impressive tourism performance, as confirmed by the World Tourism Organization’s barometer, and noted that this collaboration could serve as a positive example in the Balkans. He expressed hope that both countries could develop their economies together through tourism.

So far in 2024, around 57,000 Bulgarian visitors have traveled to Albania, highlighting the potential for increased tourism exchange between the two nations.