Bulgaria is one of Europe's fastest developing destinations, a report of the tourism commission with the European Union shows.

Bulgaria's Economy Ministry reported that a total of 4, 047, 863 foreigners visited the country in 2003 in that way marking a rise of 18% year on year. Bulgaria's fast developing speed puts it ahead of Italy, according to the data.

The survey also revealed that Bulgaria achieved that great success at a time when the world tourism faces hard times as in 2003 it marked a decline of -1.2%.

Latest data from Bulgaria's Economy Ministry shows that the number of European tourists that visited the Balkan country over the last 2003 have gone up by 25.3% as compared to 2002. Bulgaria enjoys greatest interest among tourists from UK, Luxembourg, Germany, Greece and the Netherlands.

In December 2003 alone the number of foreign tourist in Bulgaria went up by 28.34% as compared to December 2002.

The 2003 tourism revenues are expected to reach USD 1.6 B that marks an increase of 20%.

The previous year was also marked by a record high number of Bulgarians that traveled abroad. A total of 3, 403, 402 Bulgarians went to different foreign countries, that number shows a rise of 6.7% y/y.

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