Back in May, the Ministry of Tourism predicted a record summer tourist season, but so far that has not been the case. Even though there were overnight stays by more than half a million tourists in the country in June, generating revenue of over EUR 81 million, the number of foreign tourists coming to Bulgaria has not reached 2019 pre-pandemic levels, when their number was 620,000, the National Statistical Institute says. The reasons given are the cooler weather, the fact that the country is close to the war in Ukraine, as well as the 30% rise in prices. In mid-June, the specialized website Travel News reported that the big Bulgarian resorts were emptier than usual. Data also show that the highest number of tourists coming to Bulgaria are from Romania, Turkey, Ukraine, Germany, Greece, Poland and Serbia. 

Compiled by Yoan Kolev

Translated and posted by Milena Daynova