In 2025, Bulgarian tourism maintains sustainable growth despite global challenges. According to analysts, a record number of foreign visitors is expected in the coming months as a result of stable international markets and the recovery of key tourist destinations. Trends show a 6% growth in July and August, with inflation not having a significant impact on prices and demand. The upcoming transition to the euro is also perceived without shocks in the tourism sector, the director of the Institute for Analysis and Assessment in Tourism, Rumen Draganov, told Radio Bulgaria. He also commented on the impact of world events on the industry:
"The events in the Middle East are currently not affecting Bulgarian tourism significantly. The macro framework remains the same, i.e. we will end the year with about 13 million 720 thousand foreign visitors. Regarding the decrease we have from the Israeli market, we assume that it would be compensated as we expect an increase from this market after the restoration of flights from Ben Gurion Airport."
The forecasts are based on specific data: in 2024, Bulgaria registered 13.1 million foreign guests and 25 million domestic trips. The expected restoration of flights from Israel, which is an important market for Bulgaria, will support the projected growth. The industry also relies on traditional markets such as Germany, UK and Romania. According to Draganov, the sector operates in a "sustainable framework". Speaking about advance bookings and pricing policy, he said:
"In general, we have a good number of bookings for the summer. This was confirmed less than 3 weeks ago, when about 200 tour operators, agencies and sellers from Germany, Switzerland, Poland, UK were here and they confirmed a very high interest in the current summer season in Bulgaria. So, we will have an increase in the numbers in terms of the markets of these countries. We are currently moving with about 4% growth compared to last year. For the months of July and August we expect this growth to be 6%, compared to 2024. In addition, we are maintaining the prices from last year. This is part of the success of Bulgarian tourism in terms of international markets. The big jumps in inflation were happening in previous years."
According to Rumen Draganov, the pace of intensive travel by Bulgarians is maintained: "Their total trips abroad will be about 8.5 million and there will be 25 million trips by Bulgarians in Bulgaria." Regarding the upcoming introduction of the euro in this country, the expert pointed out that the sector has long operated with euros in contracts with foreign tour operators and the transition would not change prices:
"Tourism works with foreign currencies. We work specifically with euro. Previously we worked with the Deutschmark. All our prices are in euros and no shock is expected in this direction. Things are normal, our tourism is stable," Rumen Draganov says in conclusion.
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Author: Veneta Nikolova
Publication in English: Alexander Markov
Photos: BGNES, Sofia Airport, nesebar.bg
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