Tourist numbers are rising, but not at the seaside

The number of tourists arriving in Bulgaria this summer has increased by 2%, but most of them are visiting Sofia and Plovdiv, Rumen Draganov, Director of the Institute for Analysis and Assessment in Tourism, told Nova TV.

The strongest months for tourism are now outside the summer season and seaside resorts. In January this year, we recorded 800,000 visitors, which is double the number compared with previous years. This is due to low-cost flights from Europe and the development of other forms of tourism in Bulgaria, the expert added.

Ivelin Kichukov, Chairman of the Bulgarian Tourist Association, supported his comments, noting that from Monday to Thursday, occupancy rates at seaside resorts are 50–60%, which is 15–20% lower than last year. However, occupancy is expected to increase next week. On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, resorts are fully booked.

Edited by Ivo Ivanov

Translated by Kostadin Atanasov