Foreign tourists made a triumphant return to Bulgaria in August

In the month of August, it is safe to say that Bulgarian tourism took a breather and enjoyed great interest from foreign visitors. At least this is what the data of the National Statistical Institute (NSI) for August 20-23 show.

According to the NSI, 1 048 154 foreign tourists visited our country for holiday purposes in the eighth month of the year. Their number is almost the same as the number of foreigners in the same period of 2019 — the year that was a record for Bulgarian tourism. A record number of 1 319 684 tourists visited our country.

Statistics

In August 2023, the total number of foreign visitors to Bulgaria was 2 077.6 thousand, 9.5% more than in August 2022. There was an increase of 11.7% in the holiday and excursion category and 9.6% in the other category, while business visits decreased by 8.8%. Transit through the country accounted for 39.3% (815.9 thousand) of all visits by foreigners to Bulgaria.

The largest number of visits to Bulgaria were made by citizens of Romania — 339.5 thousand, Turkey — 293.5 thousand, Germany — 225.8 thousand. Then came visitors from Ukraine — 198.9 thousand, Poland — 105.7 thousand, Serbia — 84.3 thousand. Returning tourists from the United Kingdom were 68.2 thousand in August 2023. They are followed by visitors from the Netherlands — 65.1 thousand, France — 64.4 thousand, Greece — 63.7 thousand.

Holidays and excursion visits lead the statistics — 50.5%, followed by visits for other purposes — 44.4% and business purposes — 5.1%.

The number of trips by Bulgarian citizens abroad also increased in August 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. Their number is now 834.3 thousand, or 12.0% more than in August last year. 18.8% more Bulgarians travelled for holidays and excursions, while those for business purposes decreased by 3.9%, and the category of other travellers grew by 10.7%.