Poles have taken over the holiday country. Germany is losing its leading position

The first data from this year’s summer season indicate that Bulgaria has recorded a 9 percent decline in the number of visitors. Interestingly, according to Ivan Groszew, head of the Association of Incoming Tourism Agencies in Bulgaria, the proportions of guests from individual countries have changed noticeably. The Germans, who have always topped the ranking year after year in recent years, lost their leading position this summer. You can now meet Poles more often on Bulgarian beaches. However, we come not only to the Black Sea.

Surprises in Bulgaria. Poles are already ahead of the Germans

Already in the middle of the summer season, the first surprises appeared in Bulgaria. Germans, previously number one tourists, have dropped in the ranking of nationalities most frequently visiting the country with its capital in Sofia. What’s more, our western neighbors did not make it to the podium at all. Poles are in first place, followed by the British. The Czechs took third place, followed by German tourists.

This does not change the fact that this season has not been particularly successful so far. The Association of Incoming Tourism Agencies in Bulgaria (BATA) talks about a 9 percent decline. However, it is difficult to predict now how the rest of the season will unfold, because Bulgaria relies largely on last minute tourism.

Bulgaria needs more flights

Nowadays, tourists do not want to fly only to the Black Sea, although, of course, popular resorts such as Sunny Beach and Golden Sands continue to be popular. In addition to flights to Varna and Burgas, it is also worth investing in Sofia, which today handles fewer flight operations than the airport in Tirana. From the capital, tourists eagerly travel by train to Plovdiv, the oldest city in Europe, which in recent years has been investing primarily in festival tourism. “Bulgaria needs stronger government support for both charter and scheduled flights,” Groszew believes.