Bulgaria’s advertising agencies “Mag Advertising” and “Kres” have won a public tender to market Bulgaria as a tourist destination abroad, according to the public tenders registry.

The tender is for BGN 6.5 M and is financed by the EU “Regional Development” program. It is divided in three parts, corresponding to the concrete market to be targeted.

“Mag Advertising” owned by businessman Krasen Kralev is to promote Bulgaria in Russia over the next 14 months for the amount of BGN 1.5 M. The consortium between “Kres” of businessman Krasimir Gergov and the German “Media Consulta” will work the German market for BGN 2.9 M.

The tender for the UK market will be carried out again because none of the bids had complied wit the requirements of the Ministry of Energy, Economy and Tourism.

A total of 8 bidders submitted offers – 2 from Russia, 2 from Germany and 4 from Bulgaria. Russia, Germany and the UK are the largest Bulgarian tourist markets.

Businessman Krasen Kralev became known during the general elections last summer when he ran on the ticket of the Novoto Vreme (New Times) – LIDER coalition, which failed to win any parliamentary seats. The LIDER party was founded by Bulgaria's energy tycoon, Hristo Kovachki, who is investigated on tax evasion charges.

Krasimir Gergov is considered one of the wealthiest Bulgarians and the most influential person in the advertising and media sector, consulting the top investors in the country’s media market.