On 2 April 2024, Bulgaria’s Ministry of Environment and Water (MoEW) and Ministry of Tourism, alongside leaders from the Bulgarian Tourist Chamber, BlueLink Information Network, the Association of Parks in Bulgaria, Bulgarian Association for Alternative Tourism, and other key stakeholders, officially signed the Charter for Sustainable Tourism in Bulgaria. This landmark event at the MoEW marked the culmination of a process initiated in 2013 and revitalized during 2023–2024.
Vision & Mission
The Charter presents a shared vision:
- Position Bulgaria as a year-round sustainable tourism destination.
- Safeguard authentic natural and cultural heritage while supporting local communities.
- Promote modern, eco-friendly infrastructure, public transport accessibility, and high-quality tourist experiences.
Its mission commits signatories to:
- Align with Bulgarian and EU laws on tourism and environment.
- Ensure transparency, public accountability, and collaborative governance.
- Improve destination competitiveness while preserving natural and cultural heritage.
Core Principles
Signatories pledge adherence to these guiding values:
- Shared values & timely stakeholder involvement
- Integrated planning for public interest
- Expert-informed decisions
- Community-centered growth
- High added value for civil society
- Conservation and zero environmental impact
- Environmental & digital accessibility
- Promotion of best practices
These principles align with global efforts such as the UN SDGs, EU Green Deal, and the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism.
Inclusivity & Ongoing Participation
The Charter remains open for accession by public agencies, local governments, businesses, NGOs, and community organizations. To join, interested parties submit a formal statement of support to MoEW, affirming their commitment to applying the Charter’s principles. BlueLink, together with the Tourist Chamber, serves as co-leaders in promoting and managing stakeholder participation.
Historical Context & Collaborations
- The Charter’s roots trace back to 2013, led by then-Minister Julian Popov under a caretaker government.
- The renewed drafting process (August 2023–March 2024) involved broad actor engagement: MoEW, Ministry of Tourism, BlueLink, Park Associations, ALT, and tourism experts.
- Final text reviewed in February 2024 during a public roundtable, with contributions from NGOs, business associations, and experts.
Notable Endorsements
Julian Popov, Minister of Environment and Water:
“The Charter is an ethical code for tourism stakeholders… It fosters dialogue between municipalities, businesses, and communities to prevent investment conflicts in nature.”
Deputy Minister Irena Georgieva:
“With political will and action, we support the Charter’s adoption and its practical implementation.”
Pavel Antonov, BlueLink executive editor:
“BlueLink was among the first signatories… we’re dedicated to maintaining and promoting the Charter.”
Why It Matters
- Embeds sustainability in tourism planning, balancing economy, environment, and community well-being.
- Encourages collaboration across sectors and levels of government.
- Supports SDG alignment, EU biodiversity strategy, and climate action.
- Offers a unified ethical framework to guide future tourism development consistently.
In Summary
The Charter for Sustainable Tourism in Bulgaria sets a national benchmark for ethical, inclusive, and eco-conscious tourism. It incorporates modern governance, environmental safeguards, and community focus — all under the guidance of a green code aligned with international sustainability leaders.