Bulgaria saw over 4.5% more visitors to its winter resorts in December 2023 compared to the previous year, the Tourism Ministry reported on January 14th.
The increase was led by a nearly 22% rise in travelers from Türkiye.
Bulgarian Tourism Rides Wave of Regional Interest
Other neighbors also contributed to the positive trend, with more tourists coming from Romania, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Greece.
Beyond winter destinations, cities like Varna attracted weekend travelers from Spain and Italy.
“The momentum within the tourism sector points to a need for timely preparations for the upcoming 2024 summer season,” Tourism Minister Zaritsa Dinkova said on January 13th.
She plans talks with Tourism Ministry colleagues to get ready for potential challenges.
Involving fellow ministers overseeing regional development, health, environment, and water is also under consideration.
Coastal Towns Benefit From New Tourism Support Program
On January 13th in Varna, Minister Dinkova introduced a program supporting Black Sea municipalities through joint efforts between her ministry, local authorities, and businesses.
The first phase will fund 21 projects, covering 60% of costs with nearly 5 million BGN budgeted.
Varna Region towns stand to receive about 2 million BGN.
Varna Mayor Asen Kotsev highlighted that the city secured funding for two tour operator-designed projects totaling nearly 48,000 BGN that will promote Varna as a year-round destination.
There will be an emphasis on spa, balneo tourism, and weekend visits, with Germany as a key target market.
ETIAS Eases EU Entry for Prospective Bulgaria Visitors
The positive momentum in Bulgaria’s tourism industry comes ahead of the launch of the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) in May 2025.
ETIAS will allow visa-free entry to the 27 Schengen Area countries for visitors from over 60 nations worldwide.
Travel analysts say ETIAS should further boost interest in eastern European destinations like Bulgaria among EU residents and third-country nationals.
The simplified process grants approved ETIAS holders 90 days of Schengen access in a 180-day period.
Outlook Promising but Preparation Vital
As the positive momentum within Bulgaria’s tourism industry continues, experts emphasize the importance of proactive planning and coordination to handle rising demand.
With visitor numbers swelling in both winter and summer destinations, strategic investments in infrastructure and targeted marketing will be key to managing growth while ensuring guest satisfaction.
If challenges are addressed cooperatively now, analysts predict the outlook for 2024 is strong across Bulgarian travel hotspots drawing both regional and more far-flung travelers.