Bulgaria's Minister of Economy and Energy, Delyan Dobrev, opened a Tourist Informational Center in the border town of Svilengrad. Photo by Cross News Agency
The number of tourists who have visited Bulgaria in June and July 2012 is up 6%, compared to the same months of 2011.
The data was reported Thursday by the Minister of Economy and Energy, Delyan Dobrev, who pointed out this was a "quite good of an achievement in the light of the tragic events in Burgas."
(The July 18 bus bombing killed five Israeli tourists and a Bulgarian bus driver in the Bulgarian Black Sea city of Burgas.)
According to Dobrev, the total number of tourists in June and July 2012 has been 2 129 470. The revenues from international tourism have also increased – EUR 373.75 in June 2012, which is 8.5% more than June 2011.
Dobrev was in the town of Svilengrad near the Bulgarian-Turkish border to officially open a Tourist Informational Center. The center is located inside an old Turkish bathhouse, renewed and repaired with financing from the Program for European Territorial Partnership Greece – Bulgaria 2007 – 2013.
The Minister stressed that a rich cultural and historical heritage is excellent foundation for the advancing of tourism.