site.btaForeign Tourists to Increase by 11% from 2016 - Expert

Foreign Tourists to Increase
by 11% from 2016 -
Expert


Dobrich, Northeastern Bulgaria, May 28 (BTA) - More than 11.6
million foreign tourists are expected to visit Bulgaria this
year, 11 per cent more than in 2016, according to Rumen
Draganov, Director of the Institute for Analysis and Assessments
 in Tourism. Holidaymakers from Germany, Britain, Romania and
other countries have already arrived in the Black Sea resorts of
 Sunny Beach, Golden Sands and Albena.

Draganov told reporters that cultural urban and historical
tourism accounts for half of all visits. Bulgaria has become a
year-round destination due to low-cost airlines, and cultural
tourism is the purpose of many visits.

Commenting on staff shortages in tourism, he said the problem
cannot be solved while the industry pays an average monthly wage
 of 320 euro in Bulgaria as against 1,400 euro in other European
 countries. Employers are seeking staff from non-EU countries,
including Ukraine, Moldova and Belarus, and even India and
Bangladesh. The National Tourism Board has set itself the task
to bring the average wage in Bulgaria's tourism industry level
with wages in the EU by 2026. SN/DD


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