On 30 January, representatives from the State Commission on Gambling as well as others came together to determine if adding gambling to tourism market could help drive additional tourism dollars into the country. Gambling law changes may be necessary though.
No decisions have yet been made. Bulgaria's largest gambling tourist group is that of Israel.
Putting together a national gambling program may help to boost the tourism industry here, many feel. Although gambling is not officially in the tourism strategy of the country as of yet, hotels here are already depending on gambling funds to support their hotels. Hotels within Sofia include Hemus, Rodina and Rila which offer casinos to their guests depend on incomes here.
With the World Bank pointing the finger of economic downturn on Bulgaria with the worsening global economy, the country must enhance and strengthen their tourism industry if they plan to avoid a costly fall. The World Bank noted several countries, which just became members of the European Union of likely costly increases in inflation and a weakened economic growth outlook was possible.
According to the World Bank, countries including Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland would need to make difficult decisions about how to reduce inflation and stay a growing economy.
Since much of Bulgaria's economy is tourism based, working to improve tourism and draw in additional tourists from Europe and Middle East and even Asia may be necessary.
