Slight decline in tourist numbers in June and July

The number of tourists in June and July decreased by around 1.5% compared with the same period last year, Minister of Tourism Ilin Dimitrov told the Parliamentary Committee on Tourism.

Looking ahead to the next summer season, the goal is to start it around Easter, give it an additional boost through Bulgaria’s hosting of the Eurovision Song Contest in May, and continue well into the autumn. The aim is to approach the levels recorded in the pre-pandemic year of 2019.

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Regarding Eurovision, Ilin Dimitrov expressed confidence that accommodation facilities in the area would be able to accommodate visitors to the event. He said between 300,000 and 400,000 beds are available, while the expected number of visitors is around 90,000. “Transport connectivity could be a challenge, as some tourists will arrive in Sofia, while others will fly into Burgas and Varna”, Minister Dimitrov said.

The Tourism Ministry’s main task is to promote the destination through media trips. Around 1,000 reporters are expected to arrive for Eurovision and could generate around 400,000 articles and other online content, providing exceptionally strong publicity for Bulgaria, Ilin Dimitrov told MPs.

Edited by Diana Tsankova

Translated by Kostadin Atanasov