Tourism
is
one of the
fastest
growing
sector
in
the
Bulgarian
economy
with
excellent
opportunities
for
foreign
investment
with
high
return
on
investment
ratios.
In
2000
privatization
of
almost
85 %
of
the
assets
in
the
tourist
sector
was
completed.
The
number
of
foreign
tourists
grew,
according
to
preliminary
assessments,
with
more
than
25%.
Exceptional
interest
is
expected
in
relatively
new
but
promising
fields
like
historical
and
culture
tourism
etc.
The
legislation
provides
good
opportunities
for
investment
in
Greenfield
projects,
JVs
etc.
on
the
Black
Sea
coast
and
on
mineral
water
resort
sites..
Tourism
is
one
of
the
key
sectors
in
Bulgaria
due
to
the
excellent
geographical
location,
remarkably
rich
nature,
diverse
relief
and
moderate
continental
climate.
In
the
last
three
years
Bulgarian
tourism
has
been
advancing
progressively.
According
to
statistical
data,
the
number
of
foreign
tourists
(excluding
children
up
to
16
years
old)
that
visited
Bulgaria
in
2001
is
over
2.7
million
which
is a
17.6%
increase
in
comparison
to
2000.
The
number
of
foreign
tourists
who
came
to
Bulgaria
for
the
first
nine
months
of
2002
only
is
2.4
million.
Tourism
(international
and
domestic)
has
traditionally
been
our
no.
1
export
sector,
accounting
for
about
13%
of
GDP
in
2001.
Summer Tourism
in Bulgaria
The
Black
Sea
Coast
offers
attractive
seaside
resorts.
The
sunshine
record
is
exceptional
with
an
yearly
average
of
nearly
300
days
of
sunshine.
Tourists
enjoy
various
opportunities
for
climate-treatment
and
balneo-treatment,
yachting,
surfing,
water
skiing,
diving,
underwater
fishing,
other
aquatic
sports
and
diverse
entertainment
opportunities.
There
are
special
itineraries
combining
see
tourism
with
active
tourism
and
providing
opportunities
for
hiking,
cycling,
riding,
photo-tourism,
and
eco-tourism,
as
well
as
visits
to
natural,
archaeological
and
cultural
places
of
interest.
Rila,
Pirin,
Vitosha,
the
Rodopes,
and
the
Balkan
Mountains
offer
good
possibilities
for
ski
and
mountain
tourism.
In
the
international
resorts
of
Pamporovo,
Borovets
and
Bansko
one
can
enjoy
some
of
the
best
skiing
in
Europe
with
snow
covers
lasting
from
Christmas
until
Easter
and
ski
tracks
for
beginners
and
professionals
at
all
levels.
There
are
many
ski
schools
providing
individual
and
group
lessons.
Bulgaria has more than 600 hot, warm and cold mineral springs of
varied physical and chemical contents, mineralization, curative
gases, biologically active trace elements, temperature and curative
properties that create excellent conditions for development of
balneology tourism. A number of hotels with state-of-the-art
equipment and skilled staff offer talasso-therapy, pearl baths,
underwater massage, phyto-therapy, curative mud, inhalations, manual
therapy, paraffin treatment, acupuncture, helio-prophylaxis, ozone
and oxygen therapy, slimming procedures, and balneo-cosmetics
Cultural
Tourism in Bulgaria
Bulgaria
has
over
30,000
historical
monuments
from
different
historical
epochs,
36
culture
reserves,
330
museums
and
galleries
that
form
an
impressive
base
for
the
development
of
cultural
tourism.
A
network
of
three
national
and
nine
nature
parks,
a
number
of
reserves
and
natural
places
represent
a
significant
potential
for
the
development
of
ecological
tourism.
Ecological
routes
are
special
itineraries
across
exceptionally
beautiful
landscapes,
including
a
system
of
facilities
for
reaching
the
most
inaccessible
beauty
spots:
gorges,
steep
rocks,
and
waterfalls.
The
hunting
tourism
in
Bulgaria
relies
on a
large
variety
of
game:
red
deer,
fallow
deer,
roe
deer,
wild
goat,
bear,
boar,
grouse,
hare,
partridge,
pheasant
and
many
others.
Bulgaria
ranks
second
in
the
world
in
terms
of
the
quality
of
shot
trophies.
Sites Under UNESCO Protection in Bulgaria
For several decades now,
under UNESCO aegis, attempts have been made to preserve the planet's
most valuable cultural and natural heritage. The UNESCO List of
World Heritage now features over 300 landmarks. Nine Bulgarian
wonders - seven cultural and two natural sites - are included among
them.
Bulgaria Translation