site.btaUpward Trend in Revenues from Tourist Overnight Stays in Bulgaria Continues

The upward trend of revenues from tourist overnight stays in Bulgaria in the first months of the winter season - December 2023 and January 2024, compared to the level of the prepandemic 2019, continues, according to National Statistical Institute (NSI) data report released on Monday.

Revenues from overnight stays in January 2024 increased by 17.4% year-on-year and reached BGN 91.1 million - BGN 50.9 million from Bulgarian citizens and BGN 40.2 million from foreign tourists. Revenues from overnight stays in January 2019 were BGN 51.1 million, or 2.2% higher than in 2018. 

Overnight stays revenues in December 2023 marked an increase of 19.8% year-on-year and reached BGN 89.7 million, with BGN 62.2 million coming from Bulgarian citizens and BGN 27.5 million from foreign tourists. In December 2019, the revenue from overnight stays was BGN 52.3 million, or 8.1% higher than in December 2018, with an increase of 9.8% in revenue from Bulgarian citizens and 5.6% from foreigners.

The total occupancy rate of bed-places in January 2024 was 26.2%, down 1.4% year-on-year. The highest occupancy rate was in 4- and 5-star accommodation - 38.6%, followed by 3-star - 22.9%, and 1- and 2-star - 13.6%..

The number of overnight stays in January 2024 decreased by 1.7% year-on-year and reached 432,200, with a 2% decrease in the number of Bulgarian citizens and a 1% decrease in the number of foreigners. The number of overnight stays of Bulgarian citizens was 290,800 and had an average of 2.1 overnight stays. Foreign citizens were 141,300 with an average of 3 nights and 78,2% of them stayed in 4 and 5 star accommodation.

The total number of overnight stays in January 2024 was 1,030,900, or 0.2% less than in 2023. Bulgarian citizens made 609,000 overnight stays and foreigners - 421,900. By comparison, the total number of overnight stays in January 2019 was 889,900, or 2.2% less year-on-year.