Bulgaria's Minister of Tourism Nikolina Angelkova announced on Friday that the division of the country into 9 tourist regions will take place until the end of January.

Angelkova said that the topic will be discussed in detail at the next meeting of the National Tourism Council which will take place next week, electronic daily Dnevnik reports.

Following the discussion, the nine tourist regions – North Black Sea, South Black Sea, Rose Valley, Danube, Rhodopes, Rila, Pirin, Stara Planina and Sofia will be finally approved.

Angelkova added that the Ministry will be ready with a proposal on the legal classification of the resorts in the beginning of February, which will be then submitted for public discussion.

The Minister clarified that at present research was undertaken to establish whether resorts can become beneficiaries under some of the operational programmes.

Angelkova stated that the creation of tourist observatories in Bulgaria is to begin shortly.

In her words, the project will be carried out in partnership with Romania and with the support of the European Commission (EC) and the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

Angelkova added that these observatories will be tasked with the collection of statistical data and the production of innovative tourist products.

According to her, their activities will be supported by the universities and local authorities.

Angelkova said that the state will aid the development of cruise tourism, which will happen through the reduction of port fees for these types of sailing vessels.