[size=55:3k6l5cnn]novinite 14 September 2010

More Tourists, Same Revenues for Bulgaria's Summer 2010

Budget has proved to be a four-letter-word for Bulgaria's tourism sector this year - while the number of foreign tourists is expected to mark a 5%-10% increase, revenues are forecast to remain level at best.

The curve of an increasing number of foreign tourists in Bulgaria did not slump with a spade of complaints as expected, but the bad news is that the country has been dragged down to the club of the cheapest tourist destinations in Europe, people from the sector said as the season is coming to an end.

Data shows that Russia and Germany remain the traditional primary market for visitors to Bulgaria's Black Sea coast. The number of Russian tourists is expected to be up by 20%-30% this year in comparison with the previous year, tour operators say. The Russians are distributed evenly among the resorts in the Northern and Southern Black Sea coast.

In 2010 German visitors continue to be the largest single country represented within the figure of EU visitors, followed by the UK, but there is no increase in their number.

The Romanian and Polish markets are gaining in significance for the local tourism sector and Bulgarian tour operators say these could be the next big thing.

Meanwhile Israel's conflict with Turkey proved profitable for Bulgaria's tourism and the country attracted thousands of Israeli tourists, who initially planned to spend their holidays in its neighbor.

Not that rich foreign tourists like Bulgaria because it offers good value in terms of food prices and accommodation expenses and last but not least has available package tours. The all-inclusive deals that international tour operators offer to various Bulgarian resorts give them an ease of access. Most often they come to Bulgaria with their families and enjoy the traditional combination of hotel, beach and sea. Tourists who like classic packages with passable quality at good prices.

Tourism is one of, if not the most important industry for the perennially cash-strapped Bulgaria - it not only provides nearly 10% of the country's GDP, but is also a significant source of foreign currency and jobs.

Unfortunately experts have warned that quantity indices - like the number of foreign tourists visiting the Black Sea coast - can not be indicative for a small country like Bulgaria -its coastline is no longer than 380 kilometers, while beaches run for just 150 kilometers.

Well what do they expect its the same all over the world

[size=55:2a9dw0xo]novinite

Bulgaria Ranked 48th Globally in Tourism Competitiveness



Bulgaria is 48th in terms of travel and tourism competitiveness out of 139 countries, according to a report of the World Economic Forum.

The WEF ranking evaluates the countries according to 14 different criteria – from infrastructure and safety to regulatory framework and human, cultural, and natural resources.

Switzerland, Germany, France, Austria, and Sweden take up the top five spots. Tunisia and Israel are right in front of Bulgaria, while Turkey and Poland are right after it.

Bulgaria fares pretty bad in terms of tourism competitiveness in Europe – it is only 27th out of 42 European states surveyed.

In the overall rankings, Bulgaria 99th in environmental sustainability, 81st in safety, 10th in hygiene and health, and 51st in terms of human, cultural, and natural resources.

The WEF report focuses on the competitiveness of travel and tourism after the global economic crisis. According to the report, Bulgaria's tourism has benefited from the global crisis.

"
Most major destination economies clearly suffered during the crisis, but some have managed to weather

the downturn successfully and have grown in spite of the global contraction of the travel market. Winning

destinations—such as Malaysia, Taiwan, and Indonesia— had already experienced some increasing demand from emerging outbound travel activity out of China. Others—such as Turkey, Bulgaria, and North African

countries—gained throughout the crisis by attracting price-sensitive travellers from crisis-struck outbound

regions in Western Europe... Bulgaria has kept its growth momentum partly because (and not

despite) of the crisis attracting budget-orientated tourists from Western Europe seeking low-cost alternatives to traditional sun-and-beach destinations in the euro zone,"
explains the report of the WEF.

Thanks Admin
Bulgaria is 48th in terms of travel and tourism competitiveness out of 139 countries

48th is not a bad place to be considering there are a 139 countries

Oddy

[size=55:2kotedko]novinite

Bulgaria Ranked Cheapest Summer Holiday Destination

Bulgaria is the cheapest summer holiday destination according to a survey of the German automotive union ADAC.

The survey covers 50 resorts in 10 European countries and includes various costs, such as sun protection creams (a price range of EUR 4.80- EUR 25 at the French Atlantic coast), beach chaise longues (EUR 2 in Croatia, EUR 20 in Italian resort Cesenatico), etc.

According to ADAC data, Bulgaria charges the cheapest for a consumer basket of 34 products and services for a family with two children- EUR 131. The items fall into the following categories: "
Eating and Drinking"
, "
Information and Leisure Activities"
, "
Health and Body Care"
and "
Shopping and Extras"
.

The same set of products costs almost double (EUR 206) in Denmark, the cheapest European country. The Netherlands, the second most expensive country, charges EUR 186, followed by Germany with EUR 171.

A total of 21 of the resorts under review are classified as "
expensive"
or "
very expensive"
, 9 belong to the "
golden mean"
, 11 offer "
reasonable"
prices and 9 are "
absolute bargains"
.

The most expensive summer holiday destination is Denmark's island of Fano, where you can buy the above mentioned group of products for EUR 217. The cheapest price for these 34 items, EUR 121, can be found in Agea, Southern Turkey.

ADAC's survey was conducted in July and August 2010 in Bulgaria, Denmark, Germany, France, Greece, Italy, Croatia, the Netherlands, Spain and Turkey.