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Number of Russian, Serbian Tourists in Bulgaria Goes up

Monday, May 25, 2009

The number of Russian citizens receiving Bulgarian tourists visas has increased since the beginning of 2009.

After a 30% decline in January 2009 compared to December 2008, and a 20% decline in February, in March, the number of Russians who received Bulgarian tourist visas grew by 12%, by another 62% in April, and the growth in the first 20 days of May is already 68%.

The news was announced Friday by Bulgaria's Deputy Foreign Minister Milen Keremedchiev in Varna, BGNES reported.

Keremedchiev reminded that the Bulgarian government had revoked the visa center fees for Russians for the period between June 1 and September 30, 2009.

The Deputy Foreign Minister also announced statistical data showing substational growth in the number of persons from other former Soviet and Balkan states traveling to Bulgaria in the first quarter of 2009 - Serbia (48% increase), Macedonia (40%), the Ukraine (20%), Belarus (12%), and Moldova (7%).

The only non-EU states that enjoy visa-free travel to Bulgaria are Macedonia, Serbia, and the People's Republic of China.

Source: Sofia News Agency