According to the Minister of Tourism Nikolina Angelkova, there was high likelihood that 1.2 million tourists could visit Bulgaria during the forthcoming winter season.

Data from early bookings and airports suggested that an increase of 5-7 % in the number of tourists could be expected during the winter season.

In particular, the Minister noted that an increase is expected in the number of Bulgarian and Russian tourists.

There were expectations for a 2-3 % growth in the number of Bulgarian tourists as more of them were choosing to spend the holidays in local resorts.

She reminded that last winter there had also been increase in the number of Bulgarian tourists, with the largest growth registered in the resort of Pamporovo, while Borovets recorded the largest increase in the number of foreigners.

Regarding the Russian visitors, there was 8 % increase in the number of flights from Russia, which indicated that Russian tourists were returning to the Bulgarian market.

Angelkova reiterated that favourable conditions were being prepared for Russian tourists such as special tourist packages and facilitation of the visa procedures, including the possibility of opening new visa centres.