Tourism Ministry: Record year for Bulgarian tourism in numbers, revenue
Newswire
Sofia: Bulgaria is confidently moving towards its goal in tourism for 2024 – to attract 13 million visitors by the end of the year and achieve 14 billion in tourism revenue, which will set a new standard for success in the sector, the Tourism Ministry said.
National Statistical Institute (NSI) data confirm that 2024 is the most successful year in the history of Bulgarian tourism, the ministry said.
With a total of 10.7 million foreign tourists for the period January – September 2024, Bulgaria registered an increase of 2.5 per cent compared to the strongest year before the pandemic – 2019.
The Tourism Ministry said that with 10.7 million foreign visitors by the end of September 2024, Bulgaria is strengthening its position as a competitive destination on the European tourism market.
While Romanian tourists lead in the total number, Bulgaria is also increasingly preferred by tourists from the UK, Germany, Poland, Czechia, Spain, Italy, Türkiye and France, it said.
Bulgaria successfully attracts both local and foreign tourists, the ministry said.
In January to September 2024, 7.5 million tourists stayed in the categorized accommodation, representing an increase of 3.9 per cent compared to the same period in 2023 and 9.4 per cent compared to 2019.
“These data highlight the enduring popularity of Bulgarian tourist products for both Bulgarian citizens and foreign visitors,” the ministry said.
Tourism has a significant contribution to the country’s economy.
Revenues from overnight stays in the categorized accommodations reached 2.1 billion leva in the first nine months of the year, 15.4 per cent more than in 2023.
“These results not only reflect the increased number of visitors, but also greater confidence in the quality and variety of tourist services offered in our country,” the ministry said.
Against this background, forecasts indicate that Bulgaria will reach 13.1 million tourists by the end of 2024, surpassing the reported 12.6 million for 2023. This would set 2024 as the most successful year for Bulgarian tourism so far, the statement said.
