site.btaTourism Ministry: Eurostat Data Underline Bulgarian Tourism Sector's Dynamic Development

According to the latest Eurostat data, Bulgaria ranked among the top five European Union countries in terms of growth in tourist overnight stays for the period April-June 2024, compared to the same period in 2023, the Tourism Ministry said on Wednesday. This significant success establishes the country as a preferred destination for both domestic and international tourists, it added.

The country continues to attract more tourists and is establishing itself as a competitive destination within the European Union, the Ministry said.

In the second quarter of 2024, Bulgaria recorded 2,126,950 tourist registrations in categorized accommodation, which resulted in nearly 6 million overnight stays. This puts Bulgaria among the top 5 countries in the EU in terms of growth in overnight stays with an increase of 6.3% compared to the same period in 2023. Luxembourg recorded the highest increase with a 22.2%, followed by Malta with 12.3%, Latvia with 6.4%, while Poland was fifth with 3.9%, according to Eurostat data.

The total number of nights spent in accommodation in the EU for the period April-June 2024 amounted to around 780 million, 51% of which were the result of domestic tourism and 49% of inbound tourism. In Bulgaria, this balance showed dominant role of inbound tourism with 55%, underlining the growing interest of foreign visitors to the country, the Ministry said.

Bulgaria was also ahead of 16 EU countries in the number of overnight stays by foreign tourists in June 2024, which the Ministry said is further evidence of the dynamic development of the country's tourism sector.