The largest specialized exhibition for camping tourism, water sports and outdoor leisure is returning for the seventh time in a row and at a new location - Sofia Land. To host the event, the former capital amusement park opens its doors for the first time after ceasing its activities 18 years ago.

In the period April 12 to 14th, the Camping&Caravaning Expo takes place on its territory. "A real family festival awaits you. We will turn the old amusement park into a beautiful and green oasis with different themed areas and corners", the specialized platform camping.bg, organizer of the exhibition promise. Entrance is free for everyone, and good mood is guaranteed.

"The new things that visitors to the event can see are the latest models of caravans and campers, tents, and all kinds of equipment related to outdoor recreation and tourism in nature. This year we also have a record number of participants - 82. In addition, we also have a farmer's market. In it, people can get to know the products of more than 30 farmers and artisans, who participate. The event will not be only about camping tourism, but also about all kinds of supplies related to outdoor recreation and nature-friendly type of tourism, including equipment for fishing, water sports, etc.", Veselin Valev from camping.bg told Radio Bulgaria.

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The organizers will also present their latest guidebook with information on 60 campsites, distributed along 7 routes across Bulgaria with over 300 natural and cultural-historical attractions.

The theme of this year's edition of the Camping & Caravaning Expo is all about romantic retro camping times. A special installation with tents from the 1970s and 1980s was designed on the territory of Sofia Land.

"There is still a myth that there were more campsites back in the 1980s. This is not true! Those of you listening who come to the show will see that we have made an exhibition of retro maps and maps of the campsites. It turns out that in the 80s of the last century there were exactly 94 campsites in Bulgaria and to date there are more than 170," Veselin Valev says.

After the end of the pandemic, interest in camping tourism in the country experienced a real boom, not only among Bulgarians, but also among foreign travelers. "They come because of the wide variety of campsites in the country, "Mr. Valev says. He adds that the number of camping areas in Bulgaria is rising every year, as most of them fully meet European standards:

"In recent years, the growth of campsites has been around 10 percent. This means that on an annual basis, between 10 and 15 new campsites are opened in the country. About 30% of the campsites are by the sea and 70%, are located in the interior of the country. I can say that the areas with a greater concentration are the areas around Veliko Tarnovo, Melnik and Sandanski, as well as northwestern regions Bulgaria, in particular in the Iskar Gorge," Veselin Valev says.

Camping tourism gains momentum in Bulgaria

Photos: Camping.bg

Publication in English: Al. Markov