Tourists in Bulgaria will rate hotels and restaurants via QR code in real time

Tourists will be able to digitally rate the quality of the services they receive at hotels, restaurants and tourist attractions in Bulgaria. This will be done through a QR code that will allow them to rate their experience in real time. Polina Karastoyanova, Executive Director of the National Tourism Board, explained the initiative on NOVA’s “Intersection Point” programme.

According to Karastoyanova, the collected ratings will be combined into a common database. This will make it possible to see how tourists rate the services offered and where improvements are needed. “This common database will be the best mirror of Bulgarian tourism”, Karastoyanova said.

The system is still being prepared. The Ministry of Tourism is expected to announce when it will be introduced. Karastoyanova said the project involves a complex technological platform that must be capable of processing ratings from a large number of users simultaneously. It is not yet clear whether the system will be ready by the start of the winter season.

Karastoyanova also commented on a memorandum signed with a major international tour operator, saying the aim is to double the number of German tourists visiting Bulgaria. Around 200,000 German tourists spent their holidays in Bulgaria this year, and the expectation is for that number to reach 400,000 next season. Steps have already been taken to secure charter flights from six German airports, while the UK market is expected to be the next focus.

Karastoyanova described the past summer season as difficult but successful. She said Bulgaria should also pay more attention to presenting Bulgarian food and wine to tourists. She also described the return of Tsar Samuel’s remains to Bulgaria as good news not only for culture but also for tourism, saying that such events provide an opportunity for the country to tell more about its history and cultural heritage.