Bulgaria's Draft Budget for 2025: 3% Deficit, State Debt Growth, and Key Tax Changes
The Bulgarian Ministry of Finance has unveiled the draft budget for 2025, alongside the updated medium-term fiscal forecast covering 2025 to 2028
As travel restrictions eased following the COVID-19 pandemic, people from Bulgaria and beyond eagerly resumed their journeys. This surge in travel led to issues at airports, exacerbated by a workforce shortage in the tourism sector. Some countries introduced tourist fees or limited bookings during peak seasons to manage the influx.
Now that the pandemic is a distant memory, the trend of increased travel continues. Bulgarians are no exception, with data from June showing a significant rise in trips for rest and relaxation. Compared to the pre-pandemic year, June travel by Bulgarians has surged by 36.41%.
The shift in seasonal weather patterns has further fueled Bulgarians' travel to Greece, a popular alternative to local resorts for summer vacations. Despite long border waits and high temperatures, the allure of southern destinations remains strong among those seeking a summer getaway.
EU countries continue to attract a large portion of Bulgarian travelers, with Turkey also seeing a notable increase in interest. In recent years, Turkey has become a favored destination not just for beach holidays and historical site visits, but also for trekking adventures in its mountainous and canyon regions.
Bulgaria is expecting a boost in winter tourism this year, with about 3.1 million foreign visitors projected between December and March
Bulgaria is expecting a 5% increase in tourist arrivals this winter season, according to acting Minister of Tourism Evtim Miloshev
Tourist interest in Christmas and New Year holiday packages is exceptionally high this year
The heavy snowfall in recent days has created ideal conditions for an early start to the winter season in Bansko
In October, Bulgarians predominantly traveled to neighboring Turkey and Greece, while the largest groups of foreign visitors to Bulgaria came from Romania and Turkey
Airfares around the world are expected to rise in 2025, with ticket prices reflecting both higher operational costs and ongoing supply chain disruptions
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