Comments on the Bulgarian tourism industry

The perspective for Bulgaria to host the Winter Olympics 2014 will be very good for the ski tourism, while the excellent reputation of the Black Sea resort benefit the sea tourism. The number of the services offered to the tourist is increasing, as for example Sunny Beach offers windsurfing, waterskiing, parasailing and hang-gliding.

For the last several years, the country's tourist industry has seen double-digit growth and in 2006 it accounts for 16% of GDP. Bulgaria is trying to claim its share of the global stream of tourists, but the country will need additional infrastructural development and improvement of services.

The Bulgarian authorities now have a greater understanding of the need to compete with rival destinations. In March, for instance, Bulgaria was promoted as a tourist destination at ITB Berlin and at the Beijing International Travel and Tourism Market. The results are evident and Bulgaria now features as an option for major tour operators around the world.

The figures presented by the Nation Statistics Institute show that 4 million foreign tourists visited Bulgaria in 2005. The World Travel and Tourism Council has predicted further growth of 6.3% for 2006 and 4.3% annually until 2016. EU accession next year could also lead to a further growth of tourism in Bulgaria.