Bulgaria is mainly popular abroad with the opportunities it provides for coastal and mountain recreation. However, this county is also becoming popular as a destination for medical, balneological and spa tourism. The rapid development of some fields in medicine such as dental and aesthetic medicine as well as the country’s strong traditions in heart surgery, in-vitro procedures, ophthalmology, oncology, dermatology, in combination with a rich balneological infrastructure, attract thousands of foreign tourists each year.
Statistics shows that the medical services in Bulgaria are 50% cheaper as compared to other European countries. For instance a cataract surgery in Germany costs between EUR 1,300 and 1,700, whereas in Bulgaria it costs around EUR 700. In-vitro procedure in Turkey can reach up to USD 3,000-4,000. In the city of Varna it costs only EUR 1,000. Bulgaria is particularly popular as a destination of medical tourism amongst the Germans, the Brits, the Greek and the Macedonian citizens. Aesthetic medicine services are among the most desired ones. For example a liposuction in Bulgarian hospitals costs EUR 600 to 1,200. A rhinoplasty costs EUR 1,300 and breast augmentation can be done for as much as EUR 3,000 which is way under the average price in other European countries. Dental surgery in Bulgaria costs foreigners much less as compared to one made in their own countries. Besides, the medical tourism in this country is in most cases combined with recreation in some Bulgarian Black Sea or mountain resorts and balneological centers which offer perfect opportunities for rehabilitation and recovery after surgeries. Here is what deputy-chairwoman of the Bulgarian Union of Balneology and Spa Toursim Siyka Katsarova told RB.
“When speaking of balneology and SPA tourism, the increased investments in this sphere were accompanied by growing interest by individual foreign clients who found a new tourist destination or spa hotels on their own, or by organized groups which are brought here by tour agencies or private Bulgarian health funds. Highest interest is shown by Russians and Israeli tourists, followed by ones from Greece, Macedonia and Romania. We also registered an increased demand by organized tourists and patients from Cyprus. The hotels which offer balneological and spa products are open all year round and provide extremely high-quality services.
How can Bulgaria compete with neighboring countries offering similar services?
“Bulgaria places second worldwide with regard to the number of its mineral springs”, says Siyka Katsarova. “There are over 600 mineral springs in this country. The climate here is also very favorable. The mineral springs in Bulgaria are of different composition and characteristics which is quite unique. Motion disorders or illnesses of the peripheral nervous system can be healed in the towns of Devin, Velingrad and Pomorie. On the other hand, the mineral waters in Kustendil are perfect for sterility treatment procedures. The diversity of our mineral waters is one of Bulgaria’s biggest natural wealth. What is also good in this country is the big number of modern spa and balneological hotels, which offer various high-quality spa procedures. However, a lot more can be done with regard to the surrounding infrastructure, because the access to a particular tourist destination is among the main requirements of the potential tourists.”
In May, 2013, Bulgaria hosted the annual congress of the European SPAS Association in the coastal town of Pomorie. It was part of the campaign which aimed at promoting the medical, spa and balneological tourism in this country.
English version: Kostadin Atanasov
