Bulgaria's revenues from foreign visitors in winter resorts are down 15% compared to January 2011.

The data was reported Monday by the Bulgarian business portal Investor.bg, citing representatives of the tourist sector.

The trend from the last few years of having the most visitors coming from Russia and the UK continues to be observed, but arrivals from neighboring countries are down significantly.

The reason for the decline in revenues is attributed not only to fewer tourists, but their decreased spending as well.

Some hotel owners say that if good ski conditions persist until April, the lag in revenues could be made up. Great hopes in attracting more wealthy holidaymakers are placed in the upcoming World Ski Cup competition in Bansko and the already opened European Ski Cup in Pamporovo.

There had been plenty of snow in the last weeks, but the polar cold had chased tourists away from the country's top winter resorts.

The Bulgarian tourist business is attempting to attract more visitors by package vacations discounts – for example, there are currently 3-star hotels in Borovets and Bansko offering all inclusive stay for BGN 18-22 per person per day, but some hotels continue to be overpriced which is hurting the sector.

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