Bulgaria increases incoming tourism

Bulgaria increases incoming tourism

Travel Daily News, 18.10.2004

In the area of Black Sea, Bulgaria implement a 10-year project to attract not only more tourists, but also a more affluent clientele. The number of foreign visitors increased by 17.3 percent in the first nine months of the year from the same period in 2003, with tourist revenues marking an even more rapid growth at nearly a billion euros (976 million dollars), according to the economy ministry. The Russians top the list of visitors so far this year at 117,000, followed by the Czechs at 100,500 (up 31.6 percent), the Polish at 97,000 (up 63 percent) and the Hungarians at 31,000 (up 56 percent). While the number of Germans tourists decreased by 5.7 percent to 535,000 so far this year, the country has seen British tourist numbers soar 63 percent to 239,000. "Bulgaria saw its best season for 20 years. The tourism industry is well on track and has a positive impact on the country`s whole economy. But, cultural, rural and eco-tourism are still a dream." Admitted Economy Minister Lydia Shouleva, while Vice Minister of Economy Dimitar Hadzhinikolov, mentioned that "The principal obstacle remains insufficient infrastructure". see source