The Bulgarian tourist industry has enjoyed a successful six months despite the impact of SARS, the Iraq war and a global decline in tourism.
Information from the Economy Ministry shows that the total income from tourism during the first four months of 2003 was $224 million, up 19 per cent on the same period last year.
Preliminary data for June alone reveals a 23.6 per cent increase in foreign tourism compared to a year before.
The number of foreign tourists visiting Bulgaria during the first half of this year was 1 234 960, an annual increase of 9.59 per cent. The figures suggest more western tourists are visiting the country compared to others in the region, such as Croatia, where tourism declined this year.
Greece tops the list with 219 857 tourists, followed by Germany with 154 569, Macedonia with 94 003, Great Britain with 60 365, Serbia and Montenegro with 41 719 and Russia with 37 778.
Russian tourists have started to return to Bulgaria in large numbers since the process of visa applications was simplified.
"The flow of Russian tourists so far this year has increased 45 per cent from a year earlier," Deputy Economy Minister Dimiter Hadjinikolov said. The numbers coming from the Ukraine has increased 40 per cent.
Encouraging wealthy foreigners to spend their holidays in Bulgaria represents one of his ministry's principal goals, Hadjinikolov said.
Prime Minister Simeon Saxe-Coburg announced the introduction of a new government tourism agency last week. "When a given sector acquires particular importance for the country, it is normal to give it more prominence in the structures of government," Deputy Prime minister and Economy Minister Nikolai Vassilev said.
Establishing the department will involve a structural change in the Economy Ministry, which is currently in charge of tourism.
Fewer foreign tourists visited Bulgaria than the number of Bulgarians going abroad during the first four months of the year. However, on balance, tourism contributed $41.2 m to the Bulgarian economy during this time, up 19 per cent on the year before.
A recent survey into the attitude of Bourgas residents regarding Bulgaria's probable accession to NATO, revealed that 50 per cent expect NATO membership to boost tourism.
Information from the Economy Ministry shows that the total income from tourism during the first four months of 2003 was $224 million, up 19 per cent on the same period last year.
Preliminary data for June alone reveals a 23.6 per cent increase in foreign tourism compared to a year before.
The number of foreign tourists visiting Bulgaria during the first half of this year was 1 234 960, an annual increase of 9.59 per cent. The figures suggest more western tourists are visiting the country compared to others in the region, such as Croatia, where tourism declined this year.
Greece tops the list with 219 857 tourists, followed by Germany with 154 569, Macedonia with 94 003, Great Britain with 60 365, Serbia and Montenegro with 41 719 and Russia with 37 778.
Russian tourists have started to return to Bulgaria in large numbers since the process of visa applications was simplified.
"The flow of Russian tourists so far this year has increased 45 per cent from a year earlier," Deputy Economy Minister Dimiter Hadjinikolov said. The numbers coming from the Ukraine has increased 40 per cent.
Encouraging wealthy foreigners to spend their holidays in Bulgaria represents one of his ministry's principal goals, Hadjinikolov said.
Prime Minister Simeon Saxe-Coburg announced the introduction of a new government tourism agency last week. "When a given sector acquires particular importance for the country, it is normal to give it more prominence in the structures of government," Deputy Prime minister and Economy Minister Nikolai Vassilev said.
Establishing the department will involve a structural change in the Economy Ministry, which is currently in charge of tourism.
Fewer foreign tourists visited Bulgaria than the number of Bulgarians going abroad during the first four months of the year. However, on balance, tourism contributed $41.2 m to the Bulgarian economy during this time, up 19 per cent on the year before.
A recent survey into the attitude of Bourgas residents regarding Bulgaria's probable accession to NATO, revealed that 50 per cent expect NATO membership to boost tourism.
