Bulgaria's image abroad is slowly improving, according to Temenuzhka Spirova from the Identity for Bulgaria foundation.

The expert points out that the concept of Bulgaria is often shaped mainly by Bulgarians living abroad because "the development and the positioning of the country as a cultural and tourism destination is very cumbersome, lacks the necessary digitization and has no long-term vision," Dnes.bg informs.

According to the latest data, over 2 million Bulgarians live abroad, and some 80,000 of them are students. “This means that if we adopt the right policy, we can unlock these young people's potential to work for the positive image of our country,” the expert said, as cited by Bulgaria's Telegraph Agency.

"The number of initiatives and projects abroad for the preservation of Bulgarian traditions, and the promotion of our identity among foreigners is growing" Spirova claimed.

In recent years, many Bulgarians have returned from abroad and are working for the promotion of Bulgaria's positive image, noted the expert.

Bulgaria should develop its own tourism brand introducing the places that make the country a unique destination, and to share the successes and the achievements of the Bulgarians abroad and at home, the expert insists.

Among the aims of the Identity for Bulgaria Foundation are to stimulate, collaborate and assist the development of the national identity and the shaping of Bulgarian society’s present-day aims and values. The foundation encourages the spread of knowledge, the development of professional and personal skills, the social integration and networking.