site.btaUPDATED Bulgarian Tourism Expects Good Winter Season

The Bulgarian tourism industry expects this winter season to approach the results from 2019 - one of the best years for tourism in the country, Rumen Draganov, director of the Institute of Analysis and Assessment in Tourism (IAAT), told BTA. Draganov reported that about 1.6 million foreign tourists visited Bulgaria between December 2018 and April 2019.

The expert explained that not all of them were guests of Bulgarian winter resorts - some chose this country for its spa, cultural, wine, and medical tourism. Draganov's prediction for this winter season is of levels close to 2019, or 1.2 million visitors between December 2022 and March 2023.

The most tourists are expected to come from Bulgaria's neighbouring countries. Over 23,000 are expected from the UK. Significant flow is also anticipated from Central Europe, Scandinavia and Israel, the expert said. He added that Bulgarian prices are attractive compared to Italy, Switzerland, and France.

"Inflation and fuel prices will not stop Bulgarians from travelling," Draganov said. He based his forecast on the growth of Bulgarian wages and pensions, as well as on the vacation prices expected to stay the same thanks to the government compensations for the industry.

The IAAT director expect an intense Bulgarian tourist flow of nearly 530,000 around Christmas and New Year. "Every weekend 110,000 trips by Bulgarians are expected to take place to Bulgaria's ski resorts and spa destinations," he added.

More British, Irish, Turkish, Greek tourists expected in Pamporovo

More British, Irish, Turkish and Greek tourists are expected in Pamporovo, South Bulgaria, despite the uncertainty of the market, Manager Marketing at Pamporovo AD Tatyana Marinova told BTA. Reservations for the ski season are on sale at last winter's prices, until November 20.

Bookings for the winter holidays are very popular. Customers are more tentative when it comes to bookings for the season in general. Marinova projects that tourists will wait until the last minute before booking their stay.

No price changes anticipated in Bansko

Price changes this winter season in Bansko, Southwest Bulgaria, are currently not expected, however this could change by early December, as the situation is entirely dependent on fuel and energy prices, ULEN AD Marketing Director Ivan Obreikov told BTA.

Bansko is keeping last year's prices for season ski lift passes purchased by December 10.

The ski season is scheduled to open on December 17, but the date could be sooner depending on the snow conditions.

More bookings for the upcoming season reported in Borovets

There is an increase in tourist bookings for the upcoming winter season at the Rila Hotel in Borovets, West Bulgaria, Sales and Marketing Director at the Rila, Mihail Syarov, told BTA. According to Syarov, the previous winter season was better than the one in 2019. "For the time being, we are quite happy with the bookings we have," he said.

Most tourists at Rila Hotel are from England, followed by Bulgarians.

Syarov admits that inflation caused higher hotel prices this season. In order to diminish the impact on the guests and boost customer loyalty, hotels are reducing their profit margins.

Guests from Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Greece visit Osogovo Ski Centre

Osogovo Ski Centre owner Yavor Spiridonov told BTA that Osogovo, Southwest Bulgaria, has ski slopes for both beginners and experienced skiers.

Prices in Parshevitsa will rise in the new winter season

Vasil Milchev, who maintains the Parshevitsa ski slope in Northwest Bulgaria, stated that prices are likely to rise in the new winter season due to the ever-increasing electricity prices. He warned that this process must be done gradually, otherwise winter sports enthusiasts may get discouraged.

Buzludzha offers wellness, spa, skiing year-round

Pavel Banya is a year-round spa and tourist destination that attracts visitors with its healing mineral waters, municipality mayor Isa Besoolu said. According to him, prices are comparable to last year's, and there is no decrease in the tourist flow.