Tag:bulgaria tourism

One of the most notable milestones is Bulgaria’s accession to the Schengen Area on January 1, 2025, which has eliminated border checks for travelers arriving from most European Union countries

Between January 3 and 5, fiscal inspectors identified 28 businesses in violation of reporting rules, with issues ranging from unrecorded cash transactions to the issuance of non-compliant sales documents

The sector saw an 11.5% reduction in employees compared to the previous quarter, while the overall economy experienced a smaller decrease of just 1%. This decline in tourism employment, however, stands in contrast to the sector’s financial performance, which showed positive growth signs

In recent years, Bulgaria’s mountains have gained significant popularity among tourists seeking tranquility, fresh air, and opportunities for outdoor adventures. Particularly in the winter, the country’s ski resorts experience a marked increase in international visitors

According to the survey, conducted for the second quarter of 2024, a substantial 71.3% of Bulgarians who traveled during this period chose destinations exclusively within Bulgaria

This trend was highlighted by Stanko Shterev, the regional representative of the Bulgarian Tourism Association, during an interview with BNR-Burgas. Shterev attributes the decline in part to the current geopolitical situation, which has deterred many potential visitors, especially Israeli tourists

This influx reflects a growing international interest in Bulgaria as a preferred travel destination. The total number of overnight stays also saw a substantial rise, reaching 611.1 thousand stays—an increase of 15.9% from May 2023

The proposal, which emerged from a recent meeting of the Advisory Council on Tourism in the capital, marks the first adjustment in several years. Currently modest compared to other European cities, Sofia's tourist tax has remained largely unchanged until now