At the opening of the HealthXchange Summit 2026, held in Varna, Mrs. Dr. Yordanka Chobanova delivered remarks on behalf of the European Commissioner, highlighting Bulgaria’s growing role in European health and spa tourism. She noted the country’s 15% increase in foreign spa visitors, its rich natural assets, and the momentum created by its recent accession to the eurozone. The Commission believes that healthcare systems should embed personalised prevention. With this, they will reduce costs and become more efficient. Because now, chronic diseases cause 90% of deaths and 85% of disabilities in Europe.
Mrs. Chobanova emphasised that Europe’s strength in health tourism rests on four pillars: exceptional natural resources, skilled professionals, strong cultural and physical infrastructure, and supportive governance at local, national and EU levels. She underlined that these elements must work in synergy to ensure sustainable development of the sector.
Representing the European Commission, she reaffirmed the EU’s readiness to support the industry through investment, innovation and policy initiatives. She highlighted opportunities in personalised prevention, green and digital transition, rural revitalisation, and health innovation — including Horizon Europe partnerships, the Innovation Fund, Digital Europe, and cohesion policy instruments.
She also encouraged stakeholders to engage actively in EU programmes such as PROPHET, the European Partnerships for Personalised Medicine, and entrepreneurship initiatives like EIT Jumpstarter and Women TechEU, which foster innovation in wellness, active ageing and health technologies.
Mrs. Chobanova concluded with a clear message:
“Collaboration is key. She invited the sector to build strong consortia, use EU instruments, and transform early‑stage ideas into impactful projects that strengthen Europe’s leadership in health, prevention and wellbeing.”