Balgarianovinite.com The first-ever maps of Varna’s landmarks designed specifically for wheelchair users are now ready, Union of Bulgarian Tour Guides Chair Hristina Nedelcheva said, on Friday during a conference marking the organization’s 35th anniversary
The project, titled Varna for All, has been approved by the Municipal Council, with EUR 5,200 allocated for its implementation. Nedelcheva explained that two wheelchair-friendly routes have been developed so far. One covers the city centre, while the other runs mainly through the Sea Garden. The maps are available in both Bulgarian and English and will be distributed through the Tourist Information Centre. Hotels offering rooms adapted for guests with physical disabilities will also receive copies.
Nedelcheva added that a pilot tour was conducted with a wheelchair user, and the routes were carefully designed around accessible street crossings, eliminating the need for additional ramps or elevators. The idea is for wheelchair users to be able to navigate the routes independently, without requiring assistance. The maps also include a QR code providing additional information about the city’s historical and cultural landmarks.
As part of the project, a comprehensive assessment of Varna’s tourist sites will be carried out to determine their accessibility for people with disabilities. According to Nedelcheva, the organization’s report will be presented to the local authorities as well as to the public. She emphasized that Varna needs a development strategy focused on infrastructure and the urban environment to ensure free access for such visitors, whose numbers are expected to grow. Offering these facilities would help the city attract more tourists and comply with the relevant EU directive requiring accessible urban environments for people with physical disabilities.
Nedelcheva also noted that some individuals in Bulgaria practice as tour guides without proper certification, largely due to insufficient oversight. The Union’s position is that regulatory control should be transferred from the Consumer Protection Commission to the municipalities. In her view, local authorities are better equipped to monitor violations and impose fines when necessary. The organization plans to propose this legislative change to the newly appointed caretaker tourism minister.
Nedelcheva added that every tour guide must take personal responsibility for continuously improving their professional qualifications. The Union organizes a lecture series on various topics each winter. There are more than 1,400 certified tour guides in Bulgaria, just over 100 of whom are based in Varna. All licensed guides are listed in a public register. While there are occasional seasonal shortages of guides speaking certain languages, the sector generally does not face staffing problems. German and English remain the most in-demand languages. Union of Bulgarian Tour Guides: Maps of Varna Landmarks Routes Designed for Wheelchair Users Ready 2026 THE NEWS FROM BULGARIA – NEWS AGENCY 2009-2025 2026-02-20 18:42:00 Latest news World news Country news Most important news latest news most important latest of the day Justice Petar Nizamov Feathers Petar Nizamov- Feathers Justice bg iustitia.bg iustitia iusticia usticia investigation Burgas Bulgaria news news of the last hour news of the day news of today Bulgaria news The news from Bulgaria blitz news top news most important most commented latest news Boyko Borisov news weather coronavirus news news weather facebook youtube facebook instagram news today news of the last minutes news today today news news bg news leading news hot news bg news site for news all news news bg news of the last hour latest latest news bg news of today news today news today news of the last hour latest news today news bg news news 24 hours news vesti bg novini news world bird bg bivol bg bivol trud bg novini latest news today novinite bg news hello bulgaria political party coat of arms delyan peevski scandalous Bulgarian National Television Free Europe Television scandal exclusive live tv live right now tv tv online tv program bg live now tv news online tv online live court Burgas court Burgas district court Burgas court Burgas district court Burgas district court Burgas appellate court Burgas prosecutor Burgas prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Prosecutor General Ivan Geshev Prosecutor Geshev Tsatsarov Ministry of Internal Affairs Burgas ODMR Burgas ODPR Burgas police Burgas district police Burgas prosecutor Tsatsarov SGS cases Varna court chairman of the SGS court decisions on civil cases decisions on cases Plovdiv court decision of the court decisions cases Varna court criminal cases district district court decisions work in the court SGS chairman of the SGS judges Sofia court post judges Plovdiv court Plovdiv judges Plovdiv Supreme Court Inspectorate Supreme Court Supreme Judicial Council lawyer lawyer criminal cases lawyer civil cases lawyer marriage cases lawyer administrative criminal law criminal process civil law civil process administrative law constitutional law