Increase in foreign tourism in Bulgaria for May 2010
The number of Bulgarians travelling abroad in May 2010 fell sharply compared to the same period last year, the National Statistics Institute said in a media statement on June 28 2010.
About 325 000 Bulgarians left the country last month, 34.1 per cent fewer than in May 2009, while figures suggest that travel to the European Union had decreased by nearly 50 per cent. The worse hit destination was Greece, as 57.8 per cent fewer Bulgarians decided to spend their May holidays south of the border because of ongoing strikes. Reportedly, about 73 000 Bulgarians travelled to Greece and back in May 2010.
About 123 000 Bulgarians went to Turkey last month, a 0.2 per cent decrease on last year.
Foreigners coming to Bulgarian accounted for a modest increase of 6.2 per cent, or 593 000 people arriving in the country in May.
Romanian accounted for the largest amount of foreign tourists with 143 000, an increase of 22.4 per cent on last year. There were 65.8 per cent more Russian tourists, or more than 18 000, and 8700 Austrians, a 22.4 per cent increase.
There was a decline in interest from both British and German tourists, with both countries reporting a 10 per cent decrease, NSI said.
About 325 000 Bulgarians left the country last month, 34.1 per cent fewer than in May 2009, while figures suggest that travel to the European Union had decreased by nearly 50 per cent. The worse hit destination was Greece, as 57.8 per cent fewer Bulgarians decided to spend their May holidays south of the border because of ongoing strikes. Reportedly, about 73 000 Bulgarians travelled to Greece and back in May 2010.
About 123 000 Bulgarians went to Turkey last month, a 0.2 per cent decrease on last year.
Foreigners coming to Bulgarian accounted for a modest increase of 6.2 per cent, or 593 000 people arriving in the country in May.
Romanian accounted for the largest amount of foreign tourists with 143 000, an increase of 22.4 per cent on last year. There were 65.8 per cent more Russian tourists, or more than 18 000, and 8700 Austrians, a 22.4 per cent increase.
There was a decline in interest from both British and German tourists, with both countries reporting a 10 per cent decrease, NSI said.