In 2018 more than half a million Russians visited Bulgaria

Bulgaria released official statistics on tourist arrivals in the country for 2018. Russia is on the sixth position in Bulgaria among ten source markets.  

According to the Ministry of Tourism of Bulgaria, a foreign tourist flow to the country has been growing for the third year in a row. Last year, Bulgaria hosted a record number of foreign guests - almost 9.3 million people. This is 4.4% more than it was recorded in 2017. 

“For the first time, visits of foreign tourists to Bulgaria overcome the mark of 9 million and reach record levels for the past two years. The result is an incentive and a starting point for more active policy to promote Bulgaria as a tourist destination,” the tourism minister Nikolina Angelkova comments the results of 2018. 

Last year the number one market of inbound tourism in Bulgaria was Romania (more than 1.3 million people). Greece (1.12 million) and Germany (more than 850 thousand tourists) turned out on the second and third places. The TOP-5 also includes Turkey and Macedonia. 

By the end of 2018, Russia was on the sixth line among the ten key entry markets in Bulgaria: 511 thousand arrivals. This is 10% less than it was recorded in 2017. 

As it was previously reported, that among the main factors which led to a decrease in demand for tours to Bulgaria are World Cup 2018, strong competition with other resorts and fluctuations of Ruble exchange rate. 

Currently, an early booking action is in progress on Bulgarian destination, within which you can buy tours to Bulgarian resorts with a discount of 15-20% of the cost of living.