An increase in the number of people visiting Bulgaria from abroad was registered in April, national statistics show. 

Approximately 558 100 people arrived in Bulgaria in April, an increase of 11.1% compared to the number of visitors in April of last year.

Data published by the National Statistical Institute (NSI) on Friday also shows the share of those traveling for holiday and recreation purpose increased by 41.5%, while the number of those arriving for work-related purposes surged by 29.7%. Trips with other purposes dropped by 16.1%. 

EU citizens made up the majority of arrivals, at 55.7% if the total number. In April of last year, EU nationals visiting Bulgaria accounted for 41.9% of the total. 

This April, there were an increased number of visits from citizens of Greece (41.8% more), Spain (22.8%), France, the Netherlands, and several others. By contrast, the number of Hungarians visiting Bulgaria dropped by 8.2%, and of Belgian citizens dropped by 7.3%.

Outside the EU, Ukrainians recorded the biggest growth in numbers of visitors to Bulgaria, at 21.5%, according to the NSI data. 

Among visitors from Israel, and Macedonia, the biggest share was recorded of people graveling with holiday and recreation purposes, with 93.7% and 84.8%.

Professional purposes prevailed among Italian (51.9%) and Austrian (45.8%) arrivals, while the biggest share of travels to Bulgaria with other purposes was from Germany (49.9%) and Turkey (49.9%).