The number of Bulgarians who took trips abroad in 2009 is down 26% compared to 2008. Photo by Sofia Photo Agency
The trips of Bulgarians abroad during of 2009 have been 1 334 300, the National Statistics Institute data shows.
The data was published Friday and reveals that compared to 2008 the number of personal trips is up by 5.6%, which is due mostly to a 12% increase of local trips. The number of those who traveled abroad is down by 26%.
The majority of people, who traveled inside the country or abroad, went on vacation or to visit friends and relatives.
Those who traveled for vacation account for 47% of all trips abroad and 49% of all local trips.
46% of all travelers who took personal trips and 57% of the business travelers are people between 25 and 44 years of age. Only 7% of those above 65 took personal trips.
When traveling on vacation inside the country during 2009, Bulgarians spent most money on food – 42% of all expenditures, followed by expenses for transportation – 31%.
During 2009, each person had spent an average of BGN 189 for personal trips inside the country and BGN 835 for trips abroad. The expenses for business trips are BGN 198 and BGN 1 689 respectively.