Foreign tourist arrivals up 30% in 2007
27 December 2007
The number of foreign tourists, who visited Bulgaria in 2007, is expected to total 6 million by the end of the year, marking a 30% increase over 2006, Sofia News Agency reports.
The forecast was made by Blagoy Ragin, head of the Bulgarian hotel and restaurant association.
Bulgaria remains a preferred destination for tourists from Germany, the United Kingdom and Russia and is experiencing a steady growth in tourists from neighbouring countries, whose citizens do not need a visa, such as Romania and Greece.
The number of tourists from neighbouring FYROM and Serbia, however, is decreasing, Ragin said, adding that Bulgaria is failing to cash in on tourists from these countries due to the sluggish visa system.
Estimates have set the incurred losses at EUR 250 million.