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6.6% increase in visits of foreigners to Bulgaria in September 2017

In September 2017, the number of arrivals of visitors from abroad to Bulgaria was 1 270.6 thousand or by 6.6% more in comparison with September 2016, according the data of National Statistical Institute of Bulgaria.

In September 2017, the number of arrivals of visitors from abroad to Bulgaria was 1 270.6 thousand or by 6.6% more in comparison with September 2016. An increase was registered in the trips by all observed purposes: with other purposes (including as guest and passing transit) – by 11.8%, with professional purpose – by 8.6%, and with holiday and recreation purpose – by 2.0%. Transit passes through the country were 24.5% (311.0 thousand) of all visits of foreigners to Bulgaria.

The share of visits of EU citizens was 63.6% of the total number of foreigners’ visits to Bulgaria in September 2017 or by 4.7% more in comparison with the same month of the previous year. An increase was registered in the visits of citizens from Belgium – by 29.1%, the United Kingdom – by 13.3%, France – by 10.7%, Romania – by 8.3%, Czech Republic – by 4.0%, Poland – by 3.1%, Greece – by 2.5%, and etc. At the same time decreased the visits from Hungary – by 4.9%, Austria – by 3.3%, Germany – by 1.2%, and etc.

The visits of foreigners in the group ‘Other European countries’ Group ‘Other European countries’ includes countries in Europe outside EU. increased by 10.6%, as the highest growth was observed in the visits of citizens of Turkey – by 22.4%.

In September 2017, the predominant share of the visits with holiday and recreation purpose was 46.0%, followed by trips with other purposes – 38.3%, and with professional purpose – 15.7%.

In September 2017 the most visits to Bulgaria were from: Germany – 179.1 thousand, Turkey – 158.8 thousand, Romania – 158.0 thousand, Greece – 99.6 thousand, Poland – 60.7 thousand, Russian Federation – 50.9 thousand, Serbia – 50.4 thousand, the United Kingdom – 45.1 thousand, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia – 44.9 thousand, and Austria – 41.1 thousand.

In September 2017, the number of the trips of Bulgarian residents abroad was 570.8 thousand or by 11.9% above the registered in September 2016. In comparison with the same month of the previous year, an increase was observed in the total number of the trips of Bulgarians to: Germany – by 27.2%, the United Kingdom – by 22.9%, Austria – by 15.3%, Serbia – by 7.7%, Romania – by 7.6%, Turkey – by 3.3%, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia – by 2.3%, and etc. At the same time decreased the number of the trips of Bulgarians to: Sweden – by 21.6%, Russian Federation – by 9.6%, Slovenia – by 1.6%, and etc.

In comparison with September 2016, an increase was registered in the trips with all observed purposes: with holiday and recreation purpose – by 15.8%, with professional purpose – by 13.8%, and with other purposes – by 8.2%. The trips with other purposes (as a guest, education and visit the cultural and sport events) in September 2017 composed the greatest share of the total number of trips of Bulgarian residents abroad – 45.2%, followed by the trips with holiday and recreation purpose – 34.2%, and with professional purpose – 20.6%.

In September 2017 most trips of Bulgarian citizens were made to: Greece – 147.4 thousand, Turkey – 115.7 thousand, Serbia – 42.0 thousand, Romania – 39.6 thousand, Germany – 38.8 thousand, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia – 32.6 thousand, Austria – 17.9 thousand, the United Kingdom – 15.3 thousand, Italy – 14.6 thousand, and France – 13.4 thousand.

All the data for the trips of Bulgarian residents abroad and arrivals of visitors from abroad to Bulgaria in September 2017 you may see HERE.