721 thousand Bulgarians have packed their bags for abroad
The journeys of Bulgarian citizens abroad in October 2024 are 720.9 thousand, or 3.9% more than in October 2023. An increase in trips for all observed purposes was registered: rest and excursion – by 7.4%, business – by 4.8%, and with other purposes (visiting, training, attending cultural and sports events) – by 0.3%, reported NSI.
The most Bulgarians travel to Turkey – 185.5 thousand, Greece – 169.2 thousand, Serbia – 62.5 thousand, Romania – 59.5 thousand, Germany – 52.1 thousand. and others.
The number of visits by foreign citizens to Bulgaria was 953.1 thousand, or 6.0% more compared to the same month of the previous year. An increase in trips for all observed purposes was registered: rest and excursion – by 12.9%, business – by 4.7%, and with other purposes – by 1.6%. Transit crossings through the country are 36.5% (347.5 thousand) of all visits by foreign citizens to Bulgaria.
The share of European Union citizens who visited Bulgaria is 50.0% of the total number of foreign citizens and reaches 476.7 thousand. The largest number of visits by citizens from Romania – 37.9%, Greece – 22.6%, and Germany – 12.2%.
The visits of citizens from the group “Other European countries” are 388.8 thousand, or 40.8% of all visits to Bulgaria. The largest number was registered from Turkey – 180.4 thousand, or 46.4% of the visits in this group. They are slightly less than the Romanians who visited our country in October.
#number #foreigners #visiting #Bulgaria #October #growing #transiting
**Mr. Ivanov, with the increasing influx of tourists to Bulgaria, what measures do you think the Bulgarian government and the tourism industry should prioritize to ensure sustainable tourism development and minimize the potential negative impacts on local communities and the environment?**
## World Today News: In-depth Interview on Bulgarian Travel Trends
**Welcome to World Today News’ interview series where we delve deeper into the stories that matter. Today, we’re joined by two experts to discuss the recent surge in Bulgarian overseas travel and the simultaneous increase in foreign visitors to Bulgaria in October 2024. **
**Joining us are:**
* **Dr. Maria Petrova:** An Economist specializing in Tourism and international migration patterns.
* **Mr. Dimitar Ivanov:** A travel industry analyst with extensive knowledge of Bulgarian tourism trends.
**Let’s begin by addressing the headline figure:**
**Section 1:The Growing Exodus: Bulgarians Traveling Abroad**
**Interviewer:** The article reports a significant increase in Bulgarians travelling abroad in October 2024, reaching 720,900 trips, a 3.9% increase compared to the previous year. Dr. Petrova, what factors could be driving this increase in Bulgarian overseas travel?
*Prompt Dr. Petrova to elaborate on potential reasons like economic factors, changing demographics, leisure trends, and ease of travel. Encourage her to discuss any specific data that supports her insights.*
**Interviewer:** Mr. Ivanov, from your perspective in the travel industry, what are you seeing in terms of travel destinations for Bulgarians? Are there any emerging trends or shifts in preferences you’ve noticed?
*Prompt Mr. Ivanov to discuss the article’s mention of popular destinations like Turkey, Greece, Serbia, and Germany. Encourage him to delve into potential reasons behind these trends, such as cultural ties, affordability, and tourism offerings.*
**Section 2: Bulgaria Welcoming the World: Foreign Tourist Influx**
**Interviewer:** We see a parallel trend with foreign visitors to Bulgaria also increasing by 6%, reaching 953,100 travelers in October alone. Mr. Ivanov, what’s driving this influx of tourists to Bulgaria?
*Encourage Mr. Ivanov to discuss factors like Bulgaria’s growing reputation as a tourist destination, its natural beauty and cultural heritage, competitive pricing, and the impact of promotional campaigns.*
**Interviewer:** Dr. Petrova, the article highlights that EU citizens make up a significant portion of the tourists visiting Bulgaria. Could you expand on the potential economic and cultural implications of this trend for Bulgaria?
*Prompt Dr. Petrova to discuss topics like the contribution of tourism to Bulgaria’s economy, the potential for cross-cultural exchange, and any challenges or opportunities that arise from such a large influx of tourists.*
**Section 3: Looking Ahead: Future Implications and Sustainability**
**Interviewer:** considering these trends, what do you both foresee for the future of Bulgarian tourism and travel patterns? What are the key challenges and opportunities that Bulgaria faces in this evolving landscape?
*Encourage a discussion on the importance of sustainable tourism practices, the need for infrastructure development, the role of government policies, and the potential impact of global events on travel trends.*
**Closing Remarks:**
**Interviewer:** Thank you both, Dr. Petrova and Mr. Ivanov, for providing such insightful perspectives on this important topic. The trends we’ve discussed today offer a glimpse into the complex interplay of factors shaping Bulgarian travel patterns and the country’s evolving role in the global tourism landscape.
