Article published on: 2007-12-27

Foreign tourist arrivals in Bulgaria are expected to total 6 million by the end of the year, marking a 30% increase over the previous year.

Bulgaria remains a preferred destination for tourists from Germany, the United Kingdom, Russia, Blagoy Ragin, the head of the Bulgarian hotel and restaurant association, said in the town of Chepelare.

The country is experiencing a steady growth in the number of tourists from neighbouring countries, whose citizens do not need a visa, such as Romania and Greece.

The number of tourists, however, from neighbouring Macedonia and Serbia is decreasing, because of inefficient visa service.

Bulgaria loses tourists from Macedonia and Serbia due to the sluggish system in issuing visas, Ragin said.

Estimates have set the incurred losses at EUR 250 M. 

Source: www.novinite.com and www.sofianewsagency.com