The number of trips made by Bulgarians abroad increased by eight per cent year-on-year in 2007, to a total of 4.514 million, according to provision data from the National Statistics Institute. Business trips accounted for more than a half of the total, 2.535 million.

In the first year of Bulgaria's membership in the European Union, Turkey retained its lead as the most preferred travel destination for Bulgarians, registering 1.212 million trips, followed by Greece (924 935) and Serbia (484 371). Together, the three neighbouring countries accounted for 58 per cent of all trips made abroad by Bulgarians in 2007.

Travels to the Czech Republic and the United Kingdom recorded the highest growth last year – 57.6 and 54.6 per cent, respectively.

Luxembourg and Finland are at the bottom of the list after registering a sharp fall in the number of visits from Bulgaria.