Bulgaria expect 300 thousand Russian tourists

For the first five months of this year the number of Russian tourists in Bulgaria grew by 23% compared to the same period last year. And compared to 2009 – says the country’s Deputy Minister of Economy and Tourism Mr. Ivo Marinov – the growth amounts to as much as 100%.

As of today the number of Bulgarian entry visas issued to the Russian citizens increased by 42% compared to the previous year. Mr. Marinov believes that the total number of visas issued in Russia will reach 300 thousand by the end of this year. The Deputy Minister believes the growing number of the Russians in Bulgaria to be a result of the promotion campaign of Bulgarian tourist product that was carried out in Russia from September 2010 till May 2011 and cost the country 1.2 million leva (approximately $840 thousand).

Ivo Marinov hopes to see even more guests from Russia in the next five years.

Statistically an average Russian tourist comes to Bulgaria for 12 nights, which is one night more than they spend in Greece or Turkey. One visitor spends around €840 to get to Bulgaria and another €69 for every night at a hotel.

Mostly Bulgaria is a destination for youngsters and middle-aged travelers. 24% of all tourists bring along their kids, 90% - enter Bulgaria by air, and every second Russian prefers 4-5-star hotels.