23 May 2008 Newsletter

AN OPERATION AIMED AT THE ENHANCEMENT OF BULGARIA'S TOURIST RESOURCES WILL BE LAUNCHED IN MAY

EUR 149 MILLION HAS BEEN ALLOCATED, WHICH IS 70% OF THE PRIORITY ISSUE "STEADY DEVELOPMENT OF TOURISM", PART OF THE OPERATIONAL PROGRAMME "REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT"

In May operation 3.1 of the priority issue "Steady Development of Tourism" will be open to applicants as part of the operational programme "Regional Development".

The operation is aimed at the enhancement of the country's tourist attractions and the relevant infrastructure; the money allocated for its performance is EUR 149 million, which is 70% of the priority issue "Steady Development of Tourism".

The potential beneficiaries under the project are 148 Bulgarian municipalities. The big cities, the major resorts and the Black Sea region are not included.

The invitation for applicants for operation 3.2 "Development of the Regional Tourist Product and Marketing of Destinations" will most probably be issued in September. The money allocated for it is EUR 32 million; the country's whole territory is included.

Under the third operation "Marketing of International Tourism" the only beneficiary is the State Agency for Tourism; the money allocated is EUR 32 million.

The EU Regional Development programmes will be financing actions in five priority domains:

1. Urban reconstruction and development – EUR 839 million;
2. Regional and local accessibility – EUR 400 million;
3. Sustainable development of tourism - EUR 218 million;
4. Local development and cooperation – EUR 89 million;
5. Technical assistance – EUR 54 million.

Bulgaria is a well-known tourist destination. A possessor of diverse resources, the country is absolutely competitive on the international tourist market, said A. Gagauzov, Minister of regional Development and Town Planning, at the opening of the conference "Money for Infrastructure and Tourism".

He emphasized on the necessity of drawing investments to solve the problem of excessive building in the country's biggest resorts and the lack of infrastructure, adequate to the large-scale construction.

The Ministry collaborates with project developers in the sphere of water supply systems and road infrastructure, which are important factors in the tourism industry.

Tourism must become national priority, said Minister Gagauzov. The National Board of Tourism insisted on the investment of more money on the part of the government in the country's promotion abroad.

Bulgaria's Union of Automobile importers announced on Tuesday that the number of new cars sold in Bulgaria grew 24% in the first four months of 2008 compared to the same period of 2007.

A total of 18 787 new cars were sold in Bulgaria in January-April of 2008, whereas the number was only 15 037 last year.

The Opel brand ranks first with 2 285 new cars sold and a market share of 12,23%, followed by Toyota with 1 961 and Ford with 1 670. Volkswagen, Peugeot, and Dacia are fourth, fifth, and sixth with 1 571, 1 369, and 1 072 New cars sold. They are followed by Chevrolet, Citroen, and Skoda with each of these selling between 900 and 1000 cars.

BULGARIA WINTER RESORTS WITH ONE FOURTH MORE FOREIGN TOURISTS IN 2008

The number of foreign tourists who visited the Bulgarian winter resorts in the first two months of the year has gone up 23,4% compared to the same months of 2007.

Bulgaria's total revenue from tourism in these months was EUR 97,8 million, which is 19% more than in the same period of 2007.

The news was announced by the Chair of the Bulgarian State Agency for Tourism Aneliya Krushkova.

Krushkova also presented data from a poll about the winter vacation in Bulgaria. The results showed that 78% of all foreign tourists, who visited Bulgaria, were ready to recommend it as a tourist destination. The number of Irish & UK tourists visiting Bulgaria in the winter continues to increase; however, Russians are taking the lead.

LOCALS MAKE UP OVER 80% OF CLIENTELE AT BULGARIAN SPA RESORTS

Local spa hotels are working towards luring more foreigners, as some 80% of the current guests are Bulgarians, said Stanimir Stankov, chairman of the National Spa and Wellness Tourism Association.

The marketing focus is now on Russia, the UK and Scandinavia. Data of the association shows that the Bulgarian spa resorts were visited by 125,000 - 130,000 guests in 2007.

The resorts emerging as the nation's top spa tourism destinations are Velingrad, Sandanski and Hissar (South Bulgaria). Business is also perking up at locations like Bania, Kyustendil and the mineral baths at Stara Zagora and Haskovo.

According to the association, over 170 mln levs have been invested in the last couple of years in the local spa resorts.

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