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On Bulgaria's Economy |
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Bulgarian-Austrian Company to Build Wind Energy Park on Northern Black Sea Coast
The Bulgarian-Austrian consortium "Wind Energy" presented on Thursday ... More>>
Sofia Mayor Plays Himself in Bulgarian Soap Opera
Sofia Mayor Boyko Borissov appeared in the role...More>> |
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About Bulgaria - Tourism |
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Millennia-old history, colourful folklore, preserved nature, state-of-the-art seaside and mountain resorts are Bulgaria’s image projected to the world as partial to the European tourism patchwork.
“Tourism is the face of Europe in the eyes of the world, and Bulgaria is one of the countries that add unique charm to that face”
Arthur Oberascher, chairman of the European Tourism Commission (ETC)
The UN World Tourism Organisation believes Bulgaria to be one of the most appealing 'new faces' in the tourism industry today and by 2010 expects 20 million tourists will be visiting the country per annum. Tourism is generating nearly 16 per cent of the country's gross domestic product, according to official data. (AFP) The Bulgarian tourism industry was and remains the driver of the country’s economy.
In the first year of joining the E.U. the Bulgarian tourism industry has reaped significant rewards in terms of tourism revenues. As interest in the country grows so too grow the flow of tourist from around the globe. The numbers prove it as well. In 2007 more than 5 millions of foreigners have preferred to spend their summer or winter holidays in Bulgaria, which is with about 7% more compared to 2006. Over 70% of the foreign tourists are from EU – mainly Greece, Germany, Great Britain, Sweden and Finland. Tourism in the last 12 months has increased by over 30%.
With the financial support of the EU in 2007 a lot of Bulgarian municipalities worked out and executed successful projects for stable development of tourism. Over 30 municipalities are receiving financial support worth 21 million euro for the implementation of the first phase of a Phare project for support of regional tourism development through related infrastructure, the project includes a total of 24 contracts, 12 of which for improvement of the road infrastructure, 10 for rehabilitation of water supply and sewerage infrastructure and two for construction supervision.
Other initiatives include popularisation of the regions as attractive tourist destinations through setting up eco paths, revival of the local folklore and crafts, and the restoration of old monasteries. There were trainings of mountain guides, animators and hostel owners, who want to develop a profitable tourist business at some places.
Rural tourism won new admirers among the foreign guests in 2007. Usually a holiday in a Bulgarian village is combined with horse riding, jeep safari and sightseeing to the neighbouring natural and cultural places of interest. Foreigners prefer Bulgaria mostly because of its preserved nature and centuries’ of cultural and historical heritage. Accommodation in Bulgaria is becoming more variable, providing higher quality of service. Apart from conventional hotels, an increasing number of guest houses have been adapted to match tourism standards. This way, customers are treated with genuine, warm hospitality.
Bulgarian tourism strategy entails priorities such as cultural tourism, health tourism, business trips, eco-tourism, sports and hunting. Bulgaria has over 8000 mineral springs and comes third in terms of preserved cultural monuments in Europe. Under the strategy tourism revenues should amount to EUR 6 billion in 2013. |
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