Bulgarian Tourism
The World Tourism Organisation describes Bulgaria as one of the most appealing “new faces” in the tourism industry today, and it is true that this industry in particular has gone from rags to riches over the past 5 years. Figures for 2004 show that 4.6 million tourists visited Bulgaria. However, despite global trends, in 2002 Bulgaria underwent immense tourism growth at 20%, while other countries saw tourist numbers fall drastically.
Bulgaria has benefited from a great increase in international exposure as a desirable holiday destination and this has created an increasingly exclusive market.
Statistics gathered by the Bulgarian Ministry for the Economy show that in 2004 Bulgaria attracted a far greater number of visitors from the 15 major EU states. For example, tourists numbers from the UK rocketed by over 62% and Irish visitor figures grew by an astonishing 84%! Despite these figures, there remains a great growth potential in Bulgarian tourism for the coming years. The government is currently driving forward plans for this growth sector which currently accounts for some 12% of the Bulgarian GDP. The government has examined other successful tourism markets of a similar type and uses their example as a way forward, eg. Austria has a high volume of visitors throughout all seasons to its mountain resorts, a trend which Bulgaria is keen to emulate by bidding for the 2014 Winter Olympics.
According to studies, during the four-year period to 2004, the number of foreign tourists visiting Bulgaria increased by almost 50%, with the number of EU originating visitors growing by nearly 90%. A forecast by the World Trade Organisation indicates that by the year 2010, the number of tourists visiting the country will annually exceed 20 million, making Bulgaria one of the world's greatest emerging tourism markets. This has obvious positive repercussions for property investors.
· Tourism receives great support by the Bulgarian government
· Ongoing increase in the number of tourists visiting Bulgaria
· Bulgaria is currently bidding for the 2014 winter Olympics
· The Government is currently investing EUR 20 million to bring the infrastructure to European standards
· Bulgaria has many impressive historical sights, including the recent discovery of the first temple in Bulgarian territories from the period of Hellenism and perfectly preserved buildings from the age of Troy and Mycenae
· Many new attractions are being developed in and around the coastal regions
· As well as being a beach resort Bulgaria also has impressive skiing facilities during the colder months
· Bulgaria has 9 World Heritage Sites, including the Srebarna Nature Reserve & Rock-hewn Churches of Ivanovo in the North East.
· The number of UK tourists visiting Bulgaria stands at a year-on-year increase of 65.75%
