Minister Angelkova: Bulgaria reports a 7,3 % growth of international tourists during the January-November 2017 period

Bulgaria registered a 7,3% growth in the number of international tourists from January to November 2017 compared to the same period of last year, indicate NSI stats. During the year’s first 11 months our country welcomed 8 425 620 international visitors.

We welcomed the most tourists from Greece, Romania, Germany, Turkey, Russia, and Macedonia. Over 1 060 000 visitors came from Greece, which is an over 8 per cent growth, compared to the same period of last year. There is an over 12 % increase of tourists from Turkey. On another note, the travelers from Romania were 1 054 170. We welcomed over 853 120 guests from Germany, an over 5% growth, stats indicate further. In November alone, the total number of visits of international tourists in Bulgaria stood at 399 517.

„The stats are exceptionally good. If we maintain the pace, we have a genuine chance of exceeding the 9 mil. tourism mark on annual basis. It would be a record and we will be working hard to achieve it“, commented the Minister of Tourism, Nikolina Angelkova, adding that the Ministry of Tourism will remain proactive in transforming Bulgaria into a year-round destination.

„The reported that offer an opportunity and create an ambition for us to try to achieve 10 mil. international tourists preferring our country for their vacation or travel in 2018 ", Minister Angelkova indicated further.

Revenues from international tourism for the 10 months of 2017 exceed BGN 6.3 billion, according to data of Bulgarian National Bank. A 9.2% growth is registered for the January-October period, compared to the previous year’s same period. In October of this year proceeds from international tourism and travel amounted to nearly BGN 394 mil., a 6,6 per cent compared to October 2016.