In 2007 Bulgaria expects the visits of 5.6 million foreigners, which will represent an 8.2 per cent increase compared to figures for 2006.

Out of the total, 1.62 million people will visit summer and mountain resorts, data of the institute for analysis and tourism evaluation shows.

Nearly 1.92 million people will travel to Bulgaria on a business trip and 412 000 will visit friends and relatives.

Winter resorts will attract 212 000 people, the report said. Fewer people will come to Bulgaria because of eco, spa, religious or cultural tourism opportunities, investor.bg reported.

Investment in hotels, restaurants and infrastructure from 1997 to 2007 exceeds 16 billion euro. People looking for a second home in Bulgaria have invested more than 3.5 million euro in the country.

Revenue from international tourism for the same period exceeds 12.8 billion euro, Bulgarian National Bank data shows.