Surge in Bulgarian Travel Abroad with Preference for Card Payments, Survey Reveals

Bulgarians are increasingly planning vacations abroad, with a significant 44% intending to travel outside their country this year, according to the “Visa” survey “Intentions for Travel and Payments 2024.”

Notably, 92% of these trips are set within Europe, highlighting the continent’s continued allure for Bulgarian travelers.

Greece emerges as the top destination for 40% of Bulgarian tourists, followed by Italy with 22% and Turkey at 20%. Germany ranks fourth, attracting 13% of respondents.

This data is part of a comprehensive survey covering seven Central and Eastern European countries, including Bulgaria.

A striking trend is the reliance on card payments by Bulgarians during their travels. Card usage is highest in restaurants (78%), grocery stores (75%), and museums (65%).

Public transport (54%) and amusement parks (47%) also feature prominently among the top five categories for card transactions.

The survey also highlights the growing popularity of transactions via smart devices, with 71% using them in restaurants, 64% in grocery stores, and 60% in museums.

Over half (58%) of respondents use smart devices for public transport payments and 48% for transactions in clubs.

On average, Bulgarians plan to spend approximately 735 euros per person on their longest trip abroad. The primary motivations for using cards include convenience (69%), the risk of losing cash (64%), and speed of payment (38%).

Other advantages cited are increased control over expenses (36%) and favorable exchange rates (33%).

The survey provides insights into the preferred sources of information for travel planning among Bulgarians. Nearly half (47%) rely on recommendations from family and friends, while travel sites like TripAdvisor are consulted by 36%.

Travel agencies and brochures are trusted by 34%, and social networks such as Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok inspire 24% of travelers.

Independent travel planning is favored by a majority of Bulgarians, with 56% organizing their vacations without professional assistance. Online bookings dominate for accommodation (63%), transport (44%), and entrance tickets or excursions (20%).

Payment cards are the preferred method in all these categories. Package holidays account for over a third of trips (39%), with a fairly even split between bookings made at travel agency offices (51%) and those completed through online platforms or travel agency websites (49%).

Payment cards are again the leading method for online purchases of package holidays.

The survey also advises travelers to pay in local currency to potentially secure better exchange rates and to use cards over cash to benefit from various protective measures.

Visa cards, in particular, offer extensive acceptance, being honored in over 130 million establishments across more than 200 countries and territories.

These findings underscore the evolving travel habits of Bulgarians, reflecting a strong preference for European destinations and a growing inclination towards the convenience and security of card payments.

As travel resumes post-pandemic, these trends highlight the importance of digital payment methods in enhancing the travel experience and providing peace of mind to Bulgarian tourists.

This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members