SOFIA - Bulgaria and Romania are planning to set up a joint tourist information center in China, Bulgaria's government information service said in a press release Wednesday.

According to a protocol of intention between Bulgaria and Romania, approved by the Bulgarian government, the two neighboring Balkan countries identified various areas of cooperation and exchange of information in the field of tourism.

The aim is to increase the potential for growing tourist flow from countries outside the European Union, focusing mainly on China.

"The establishment of a Bulgarian-Romanian tourist information center in China, which will promote common products, is among the most important measures," the government said.

The specificity of the Asian markets, particularly China, required the development of cultural routes, and Bulgaria and Romania together could offer interesting products as The Route of Roman Emperors, according to the statement.

The number of Chinese visiting Bulgaria has been increasing, reaching 13,986 people in 2014 from 6,251 in 2011.