TRADTIONALLY a popular destination for Russian tourists, Bulgaria lost many Russian visitors because of a new visa regime introduced in 2002, and the long procedure for visa issuing that it established.
In 2002, the number of Russian tourists who visited the country dropped by 24.1 per cent to 99 389.
This year the Government announced it would make the process of acquiring a tourist visa for Bulgaria easier and make it possible for Russians to have visas issued to them in 24 hours.
The consulates in Bulgaria and Russia assured Russians that they would provide a quick service for the increasing flux of Russian tourists, and the number of visas issued each day would reach 2500.
The Government decided that visas for Russian, Ukrainian, and Byelorussian tourists would be issued for free, and tourists would only pay a $20 request fee.
The Economy Ministry expects 150 000 Russian tourists in Bulgaria in 2003, which is a 30 per cent increase compared to last year's number.
The chairperson of the Bulgarian Tourist Agencies Association, Donka Sokolova, told Standart daily, "To me this (increased interest) is a result of the renovation of our product and the balance we reached between price and quality."
Before the visa regime was introduced, the number of Russian tourists in Bulgaria increased each year starting in 2000. The increase was almost 24 per cent in 2001.
The most popular destination for Russian tourists is the Bulgarian seaside. Recently, they have shown an increased interest in winter resorts as well.
In 2002, the number of Russian tourists who visited the country dropped by 24.1 per cent to 99 389.
This year the Government announced it would make the process of acquiring a tourist visa for Bulgaria easier and make it possible for Russians to have visas issued to them in 24 hours.
The consulates in Bulgaria and Russia assured Russians that they would provide a quick service for the increasing flux of Russian tourists, and the number of visas issued each day would reach 2500.
The Government decided that visas for Russian, Ukrainian, and Byelorussian tourists would be issued for free, and tourists would only pay a $20 request fee.
The Economy Ministry expects 150 000 Russian tourists in Bulgaria in 2003, which is a 30 per cent increase compared to last year's number.
The chairperson of the Bulgarian Tourist Agencies Association, Donka Sokolova, told Standart daily, "To me this (increased interest) is a result of the renovation of our product and the balance we reached between price and quality."
Before the visa regime was introduced, the number of Russian tourists in Bulgaria increased each year starting in 2000. The increase was almost 24 per cent in 2001.
The most popular destination for Russian tourists is the Bulgarian seaside. Recently, they have shown an increased interest in winter resorts as well.
