Tourism Expert Projects 50% More Foreign Tourists to Visit Bulgaria This Summer

Jerusalem, 18 August, 2022 (TPS) -- SOFIA, 18.08.2022 (BTA)
Foreign tourists in Bulgaria this summer season are expected to be 50% more compared to the same period last year, said Rumen Draganov, director of the Institute of Analysis and Assessment in Tourism (IAAT). “We are yet to hit the record levels from 2019 when July and August each saw over 2 million foreign tourists. This means that only in 2024 will Bulgaria be able to return to the previous summer levels throughout the entire country,” Draganov told BTA.

The number of Bulgarians visiting the country’s seaside resorts is expected to be around 27% higher. Expected revenues from tourism will be 7 to 11% higher compared to last summer season, mostly due to the higher prices. In 2019, the total number of foreign tourists was 12.5 million, while this year the number will be around 10 million.

One of the main reasons for these positive trends is the resumption of the charter programs and many of the regular services to the Black Sea getting more frequent. An increase in visits of foreigners is also reported in hotels offering spa and wellness services. More Bulgarians are traveling in the country and to the Black Sea coast in particular, which is a trend over the last two years, said Draganov.

According to Draganov, forecasts for an appreciation of 25 to 30% of holidays on the Black Sea coast this summer due to the high energy prices, did not come true. Holidays today are between 7 and 11% more expensive. “If last summer you were fine with BGN 100 in your pocket, this year you will need BGN 111,” the IAAT director commented.

Despite being relatively new in the tourism industry, food vouchers are getting more and more common as an accepted payment method, especially in hotels that offer spa and wellness services.