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Positive outlook for the Bulgarian tourist sector in 2011

Thursday, Feb 17, 2011

Positive news for the Bulgarian tourist sector, as Minister of Economy Traicho Traikov declared a five per cent growth in 2010 from the previous year, and predicted up to 10 per cent growth in the industry for 2011, Dnevnik daily reported on February 17 2011.

Traikov made the statement at the opening of the Holiday and Spa Expo in Sofia.

According to Traikov, analysts are expecting 2011 to be particularly positive for summer tourism, with growth projections estimated at up to 10 per cent.

At the start of the winter season, major hoteliers and tour operators predicted that recovery from the global crunch would start this year. To prove the trend, Bulgaria's major airports in Sofia and Plovdiv reported of an increase of charter flights from the United Kingdom and Russia, as well as growing interest from neighbouring countries.

"Tourism is one of the economic sectors that have fared well in the crisis," Traikov said.

The constant strikes in Greece might have contributed to the recovery of the Bulgarian sector as well. Interminable industrial actions, riots, airport and public transport closures will have inevitably played an effect on holidaymakers' choice of destination. It is possible that Bulgaria, for a change, might have been on the receiving end of something positive, from all that turmoil in Greece.

The Bulgarian Tourism Ministry also banks on an international television promotional campaign, featured on four channels: Euronews, National Geographic Channel, Discovery Channel and Eurosport which advertise Bulgaria as a must-see tourist destination in Europe.

The initiative, launched by the Ministry of Economy, is worth 7.5 million leva, financed by the Regional Development operative programme. The promotional clips feature Bulgaria's summer and winter tourist destinations, environmental and rural tourism and the country's cultural historic heritage.

The clips aim to reach about 608 million viewers in the European Union.

Source: sofiaecho.com