Bulgaria mulls measures to attract Chinese tourists

Bulgaria mulled measures to attract Chinese tourists, such as relaxing the visa policy and offering combined packages to neighboring Balkan countries, an official said here on Saturday. "The country is ready to negotiate and sign agreements with neighboring Balkan countries to optimize the visa regime within the pan-European regulation and help create joint tourism packages and products to attract Chinese tourists to Bulgaria," Branimir Botev, Deputy Minister of Economy told a special seminar attended by state experts and over 40 local companies. Romania, Serbia and Macedonia could become Bulgaria's partners in this endeavor, as well as any other neighboring country, which shared its vision and interest on China, Botev said according to a press release published by the Ministry of Economy. Botev stressed that Chinese tourists were not particularly interested in sea and mountain tourism, but instead were impressed by places offering mineral water, cultural and historical heritage, shopping, entertainment and spa tourism.