Tourism Minister Ilin Dimitrov highlighted the positive news from the National Statistical Institute (NCI) for the tourism sector of Bulgaria. The NCI claims that a 70% increase in revenues in accommodation facilities in February 2023 is observed, and they will reach 92.4 million. Tourists are 50% more compared to 2022.
Tourism Minister Ilin Dimitrov emphasised that the number of tourists staying at accommodation in February 2023 increased by 48.7% compared to the same period in 2022.
This is indicated by the official statistics of the National Statistical Institute (NCI), published yesterday. Bulgarians who chose to rest in the country in February numbered 329.5 thousand, spending an average of 2.2 nights, and foreigners numbered 140.7 thousand, with an average of 3.2 nights. Seventy-six per cent of them chose four or 5-star hotels.
The total occupation of beds in accommodation facilities has increased by 6.5%, the statistics for the same period also report. In February 2023, 34.7% of all registered places were employed. The most visited sites were 4 and 5 stars – nearly 50%, followed by those with three stars – 32.3% and with 1 and 2 stars – 19.7%.
In February, record revenues of 92.4 million were also reached. lv. , which is 70.6% more than in 2022. The increase is higher among foreign nationals – with 75.4% and for Bulgarian – with 66.7%.
According to NCI data, the total number of overnight stays at all accommodations has increased by 50.6% compared to the last year, reaching 1,195.9 thousand. The most severe jump was observed in housing with 1 or 2 stars, with 62.8%. In 4 and 5-star hotels, 77.1% of the total number of overnight stays for foreign tourists and 42.3% of Bulgarian.
In February 2023, Bulgaria operated 2072 sites with over ten beds, including hotels, motels, cottages, campsites and short-term accommodations. They have 60.2 thousand rooms with 124 thousand beds in them. The increase compared to 2022, statistically reported, is up 23.7%.
Minister Dimitrov said, “This is the place to say we have discrepancies between the NSI and ESTI data. We are trying to correct them. We also have a working group formed”.
He commented that after the budget vote, if he remains tourism minister, Dimitrov will assign an analysis and hope to improve the method of measuring tourism contribution to GDP.