“Bulgaria is evolving as one of the most attractive destinations for winter tourism”, Anelia Krushkova, Chairman of Bulgarian State Agency for Tourism (SAT), said during a press conference, held last week.  

Тhe number of foreign tourists, who chose Bulgaria as a travel destination for their winter vacation, increased by 23% during the first two months of 2008, comes to show a survey commissioned by the SAT. 

The revenues from international tourism amounted to € 97.8 mln over the period, registering a 19% Y/Y growth. Amongst the countries, forming the main markets for Bulgaria’s winter tourist product for 2008 are Greece, Russia and the UK.  

The foreign tourists were mostly attracted by Bulgaria’s beautiful nature, exquisite cuisine, as well as by the sports and travel opportunities the country offers. About 93% of the tourists took advantage of the opportunities to ski, snowboard and practice various extreme winter sports, and only 18% attended the national spa resorts. Internet and the travel agencies remain the main information source for foreign tourists.  

“The average age of the foreigners who came to Bulgaria is 35 years, i.e. those were young people, predominantly,” Anelia Krushkova said. “It seems that the average winter tourists are much younger than the summer holidaymakers, as nearly 65% of the ski resorts visitors were between 18 and 35 years-old. Another interesting fact is that Bulgaria has been visited mostly by highly educated people, with nearly 86% either working or still studying, which means that the tourists were mostly young and solvent people.”

Over two-thirds of the foreign tourists reported, that their expenses did not exceed their preliminary budget.  Almost one third of the total, chose travel services packages and their expenses amounted to € 82 per day, while standard travel services users’ expenses came to € 254 per day. About 67% of the foreign tourists, consider Bulgaria as a quiet and safe place. Most reassured on their holiday’s outlook in Bulgaria were the tourists from Germany, Russia and Ireland. More than 72% are pleased with the skiing areas, and 67% have evaluated positively the quality of the sector services.

According to Anelia Krushkova, over 62% of all foreigners expressed their satisfaction with their stay in Bulgaria. Almost 73% will intend to visit the country again, and 80% will definitely recommend it as an attractive tourist destination to relatives and friends. However, several foreign guests expressed their negative opinions toward the overbuilt resorts, some failings of the local banking system, and the neglected road infrastructure.  






Quoted sources: 
 
BNR (Bulgaria National Radio)
SAT (State Agency for Tourism)