Bulgarian Tourists Prefer Domestic Destinations Over Foreign Travel

On World Tourism Day, the results of a national survey on travel and vacation attitudes were presented

On the occasion of World Tourism Day, the Ministry of Tourism, in cooperation with the sociological agency “Trend”, presented a nationally representative survey on Bulgarians’ attitudes toward tourism and vacations in the country. The survey was commissioned by the Ministry of Tourism. The results show that Bulgaria remains the preferred destination for Bulgarian citizens — 51% of respondents stated that they choose to spend their holidays in Bulgaria, while only 10% prefer to travel abroad.

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“Bulgaria is the leading choice for Bulgarian tourists, and that is the greatest recognition of our efforts. Accessibility, safety, and experience are the three main factors that define Bulgarian tourism. It is the duty of the state to create policies that encourage sectoral growth and ensure a high-quality product. These results are a clear sign that we are moving in the right direction — but also a reminder of our responsibility to work even harder. On World Tourism Day, we must remember that tourism is more than an economy — it is culture, identity, and an opportunity to present Bulgaria to the world,” said Minister of Tourism Miroslav Borshosh.

Over the past year, most travelers took one or two journeys for the purposes of tourism, and 83% stated that they plan to travel within Bulgaria in the next six months. The main reasons for this preference include lower travel costs compared to trips abroad, shorter distances and easier logistics, familiar language and culture, as well as the country’s natural beauty and diversity. The survey also confirms positive attitudes toward the development of the tourism product — 67% of respondents believe it has improved over the past five years.

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Seaside destinations remain the most popular, but interest in mountain, spa, and cultural-historical tourism continues to grow. Among the areas where tourists expect improvements are infrastructure, service quality, and cleanliness of tourist sites and the environment.

You can watch more about the results of the presented study here here here: