Press articles about Bulgaria
Bulgarian Tourism in Facts and Figures
4 873 150 foreign tourists in Bulgaria in 2005 [excluding transit visitors] – 4.5% more than in 2004.
The largest number of tourists from: Greece - 665 894 (-11.34%), Germany - 582 315 (-2.43%), Macedonia – 581 139 (-14.79%), Serbia and Montenegro – 534 474 (-10.53%), Great Britain – 374 494 (+36.11%), Turkey – 271 160 (+36.73%), Romania – 187 311 (+46.78%), Russia – 175 295 (+17.39%), The Czech Republic – 126 666 (+13.46%), Poland – 113 544 (+4.37%), Israel – 103 523 (+23.85%), Sweden – 101 332 (+2.42%), Slovakia – 89 226 (+7.69%), Ukraine – 83 746 (+12.06%), Finland – 83 056 (+39.35%), France – 74 019 (+24.69%).
The largest number of tourists from: Greece - 665 894 (-11.34%), Germany - 582 315 (-2.43%), Macedonia – 581 139 (-14.79%), Serbia and Montenegro – 534 474 (-10.53%), Great Britain – 374 494 (+36.11%), Turkey – 271 160 (+36.73%), Romania – 187 311 (+46.78%), Russia – 175 295 (+17.39%), The Czech Republic – 126 666 (+13.46%), Poland – 113 544 (+4.37%), Israel – 103 523 (+23.85%), Sweden – 101 332 (+2.42%), Slovakia – 89 226 (+7.69%), Ukraine – 83 746 (+12.06%), Finland – 83 056 (+39.35%), France – 74 019 (+24.69%).
4 873 150 foreign tourists in Bulgaria in 2005 [excluding transit visitors] – 4.5% more than in 2004.
The largest number of tourists from: Greece - 665 894 (-11.34%), Germany - 582 315 (-2.43%), Macedonia – 581 139 (-14.79%), Serbia and Montenegro – 534 474 (-10.53%), Great Britain – 374 494 (+36.11%), Turkey – 271 160 (+36.73%), Romania – 187 311 (+46.78%), Russia – 175 295 (+17.39%), The Czech Republic – 126 666 (+13.46%), Poland – 113 544 (+4.37%), Israel – 103 523 (+23.85%), Sweden – 101 332 (+2.42%), Slovakia – 89 226 (+7.69%), Ukraine – 83 746 (+12.06%), Finland – 83 056 (+39.35%), France – 74 019 (+24.69%).
2 845 075 foreign tourists in Bulgaria between January and July, 2006 – 4.82% more than in the same period in 2005, including 64 062 tourists from Poland [+7.34%]. Tourism is the leading sector of the Bulgarian economy, an export branch no. 1 in terms of income and employment – over 400 000 posts. 170000 are directly employed in the tourism sector. 9% of NGP – tourism income [with local tourism – 12.5% of NGP]. Estimated data: about 1888.2 million EUR income in 2005 [excluding transportation] – (8.13% in relation to 2004) Expenses of Bulgarian citizens leaving the country – 802.2 million EUR in the same period of 2004 [+3.43%].
Net income from international tourism – 1086 million EUR in 2005, over 1 billion EUR in August 2005 [+11.9% in relation to 2004]
Estimated data: international tourism income in the first 5 months of 2006 – 450.1 million EUR [-0.2% less than in the same period of 2005].
The European Union – Bulgaria
The number of EU tourists in Bulgaria is growing faster than the number of tourists from other parts of the world. In 2005, there was a 4.48% growth of a general number of tourists, the number of EU tourists – growth of 5.65% [a 5.4% rise [EU], a 6.99% growth [other countries]. The EU is still the largest tourist generating market - for Bulgaria.
Investments in Bulgarian Tourism
In 2005, the foreign investments in tourism as a part of a general inflow of foreign investments reached the level of 1.4%. Investments in tourist branch: over 650 million USD – almost 100 million USD more than in 2004. Over 200 million EUR – invested in the Black Sea resorts [construction of new hotels, repairs of the existing hotels]. Over 160 million EUR – business investments; the remaining amount – the investments of global companies [TUI, Thomas Cook, All Tours, etc.]. New and most modern hotel offer is a result of these investments. According to the tourist industry organizations, the number of beds in the northern coast has increased by a number of 7000 in 2005 in relation to 2004. New hotels were built along the coast, even outside the famous resorts. Primorsko, Sinemorets and Diuni have both 4-star all-inclusive hotels and small B&B family hotels. Over 100 million EUR was invested in ski resorts – Bansko, Borovets and Pamporovo. Three new projects are developed in the Rhodopes and Rila – the investments exceed 500 million EUR. Golf courses are also constructed in Bulgaria. Two courses are being built near Balchik and one near Bansko. Three new courses are being designed. There are three open golf fields in Bulgaria at the moment.
New Investments in Tourism
The largest hotel complex in Sunny Beach – the Majestic Hotel and Residence – was opened this summer. An architectural gem – the rooms and apartments are located at the back, and a magnificent garden [0.4 ha] with a swimming pool and greens smoothly goes out and joins with the beach. The smell of the flowers, fruits and herbs gives energy to the guests of the ultramodern Spa Center in ‘Riviera’. This new attraction for almost a million EUR was built with using German technologies; the staff was trained. The center is one of a kind and the first one in Bulgaria, built in a Mediterranean style. A new 4star hotel, ‘Flamingo’, all-inclusive and open all year round, was built in Albena. There are three more 4star hotels in this resort: ‘Dobrudga’, ‘Laguna Beach’, and ‘Ralitsa Superior’. The Albena SA company constructs three airports – near Albena, Primorsko, and Lesnovo. The company is to become the forerunner of small aviation in Bulgaria. The airport base will be used for tourist flights and as an attraction. The investment program of the Zlote Piaski SA company includes a development of a new summer holiday village. The Akacja and Gladiola hotels were renovated. A new Kempinski chain 5star hotel called Grand Ermitage was built in the resort. A development of playgrounds and attractions is expected in Nessebar. About 6 million EUR will be invested in the doplhinarium in Nessebar. 10 estates are constructed near Sozopol. The largest one is called Santa Marina. The area of the Chernomorets village is also very attractive for investors. New holiday villages are built there. The St Nikola complex offers 80 apartments, 70 to 170 m2. Karevo was chosen by German TUI as the main center of investment on the southern coast of the Black Sea. The German travel agent invested 5 million EUR in a hotel complex in Nestinarka camping – it is its first direct investment in Bulgaria. A 4star hotel called Serenity Bay [which is a part of a global chain of 285 hotels] was built in Karevo as a part of this investment. The hotel has 220 apartments, 600 beds altogether. Another hotel complex on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast became a part of the international hotel chain – RIU. The Clubhotel RIU Miramar near Obzor is the second RIU hotel built outside large resorts – Sunny Beach and Golden Sands. The complex consists of 25 buildings and gardens [total area of 14000 m2]. The hotel will have 500 rooms.
Balneology and Spa Tourism
Tourism has many dimensions but one has become very popular recently – the Spa. Spa literally means ‘health through water’, but there is much more to it – relaxation, prophylactics, beautifying, pleasure… or anything else that can be related to a natural lifestyle. Spa hotels offer a cocktail of treatments for a healthy body. Special programs offered in the new Bulgarian Spa hotels are endless – mineral baths, inhalations, algae treatments, therapeutic mud treatments and sand treatments. The construction of modern Spa complexes with luxurious equipment, high class service and a large number of procedures of biological renewal is one of the most actively developing investment practices in tourism.
SPA AND WELLNESS RESORTS:
The Sea Resorts – “Albena”, “Golden Sands”, “Riviera”, “St Constantine”, „Sunny Day”, „Sunny Beach”, Pomorie. The Mountain Resorts – Bansko, „Pamporovo”, Devin, Troyan Health Resorts - Hisaria, Velingrad, Bankya, Sandanski
Source: Bulgariaonline.pl (December 27, 2006)
The largest number of tourists from: Greece - 665 894 (-11.34%), Germany - 582 315 (-2.43%), Macedonia – 581 139 (-14.79%), Serbia and Montenegro – 534 474 (-10.53%), Great Britain – 374 494 (+36.11%), Turkey – 271 160 (+36.73%), Romania – 187 311 (+46.78%), Russia – 175 295 (+17.39%), The Czech Republic – 126 666 (+13.46%), Poland – 113 544 (+4.37%), Israel – 103 523 (+23.85%), Sweden – 101 332 (+2.42%), Slovakia – 89 226 (+7.69%), Ukraine – 83 746 (+12.06%), Finland – 83 056 (+39.35%), France – 74 019 (+24.69%).
2 845 075 foreign tourists in Bulgaria between January and July, 2006 – 4.82% more than in the same period in 2005, including 64 062 tourists from Poland [+7.34%]. Tourism is the leading sector of the Bulgarian economy, an export branch no. 1 in terms of income and employment – over 400 000 posts. 170000 are directly employed in the tourism sector. 9% of NGP – tourism income [with local tourism – 12.5% of NGP]. Estimated data: about 1888.2 million EUR income in 2005 [excluding transportation] – (8.13% in relation to 2004) Expenses of Bulgarian citizens leaving the country – 802.2 million EUR in the same period of 2004 [+3.43%].
Net income from international tourism – 1086 million EUR in 2005, over 1 billion EUR in August 2005 [+11.9% in relation to 2004]
Estimated data: international tourism income in the first 5 months of 2006 – 450.1 million EUR [-0.2% less than in the same period of 2005].
The European Union – Bulgaria
The number of EU tourists in Bulgaria is growing faster than the number of tourists from other parts of the world. In 2005, there was a 4.48% growth of a general number of tourists, the number of EU tourists – growth of 5.65% [a 5.4% rise [EU], a 6.99% growth [other countries]. The EU is still the largest tourist generating market - for Bulgaria.
Investments in Bulgarian Tourism
In 2005, the foreign investments in tourism as a part of a general inflow of foreign investments reached the level of 1.4%. Investments in tourist branch: over 650 million USD – almost 100 million USD more than in 2004. Over 200 million EUR – invested in the Black Sea resorts [construction of new hotels, repairs of the existing hotels]. Over 160 million EUR – business investments; the remaining amount – the investments of global companies [TUI, Thomas Cook, All Tours, etc.]. New and most modern hotel offer is a result of these investments. According to the tourist industry organizations, the number of beds in the northern coast has increased by a number of 7000 in 2005 in relation to 2004. New hotels were built along the coast, even outside the famous resorts. Primorsko, Sinemorets and Diuni have both 4-star all-inclusive hotels and small B&B family hotels. Over 100 million EUR was invested in ski resorts – Bansko, Borovets and Pamporovo. Three new projects are developed in the Rhodopes and Rila – the investments exceed 500 million EUR. Golf courses are also constructed in Bulgaria. Two courses are being built near Balchik and one near Bansko. Three new courses are being designed. There are three open golf fields in Bulgaria at the moment.
New Investments in Tourism
The largest hotel complex in Sunny Beach – the Majestic Hotel and Residence – was opened this summer. An architectural gem – the rooms and apartments are located at the back, and a magnificent garden [0.4 ha] with a swimming pool and greens smoothly goes out and joins with the beach. The smell of the flowers, fruits and herbs gives energy to the guests of the ultramodern Spa Center in ‘Riviera’. This new attraction for almost a million EUR was built with using German technologies; the staff was trained. The center is one of a kind and the first one in Bulgaria, built in a Mediterranean style. A new 4star hotel, ‘Flamingo’, all-inclusive and open all year round, was built in Albena. There are three more 4star hotels in this resort: ‘Dobrudga’, ‘Laguna Beach’, and ‘Ralitsa Superior’. The Albena SA company constructs three airports – near Albena, Primorsko, and Lesnovo. The company is to become the forerunner of small aviation in Bulgaria. The airport base will be used for tourist flights and as an attraction. The investment program of the Zlote Piaski SA company includes a development of a new summer holiday village. The Akacja and Gladiola hotels were renovated. A new Kempinski chain 5star hotel called Grand Ermitage was built in the resort. A development of playgrounds and attractions is expected in Nessebar. About 6 million EUR will be invested in the doplhinarium in Nessebar. 10 estates are constructed near Sozopol. The largest one is called Santa Marina. The area of the Chernomorets village is also very attractive for investors. New holiday villages are built there. The St Nikola complex offers 80 apartments, 70 to 170 m2. Karevo was chosen by German TUI as the main center of investment on the southern coast of the Black Sea. The German travel agent invested 5 million EUR in a hotel complex in Nestinarka camping – it is its first direct investment in Bulgaria. A 4star hotel called Serenity Bay [which is a part of a global chain of 285 hotels] was built in Karevo as a part of this investment. The hotel has 220 apartments, 600 beds altogether. Another hotel complex on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast became a part of the international hotel chain – RIU. The Clubhotel RIU Miramar near Obzor is the second RIU hotel built outside large resorts – Sunny Beach and Golden Sands. The complex consists of 25 buildings and gardens [total area of 14000 m2]. The hotel will have 500 rooms.
Balneology and Spa Tourism
Tourism has many dimensions but one has become very popular recently – the Spa. Spa literally means ‘health through water’, but there is much more to it – relaxation, prophylactics, beautifying, pleasure… or anything else that can be related to a natural lifestyle. Spa hotels offer a cocktail of treatments for a healthy body. Special programs offered in the new Bulgarian Spa hotels are endless – mineral baths, inhalations, algae treatments, therapeutic mud treatments and sand treatments. The construction of modern Spa complexes with luxurious equipment, high class service and a large number of procedures of biological renewal is one of the most actively developing investment practices in tourism.
SPA AND WELLNESS RESORTS:
The Sea Resorts – “Albena”, “Golden Sands”, “Riviera”, “St Constantine”, „Sunny Day”, „Sunny Beach”, Pomorie. The Mountain Resorts – Bansko, „Pamporovo”, Devin, Troyan Health Resorts - Hisaria, Velingrad, Bankya, Sandanski
Source: Bulgariaonline.pl (December 27, 2006)