Bulgaria tourism trends show rising outbound travel and new digital initiatives

Bulgaria is experiencing shifting trends in tourism and travel. Data from the National Statistical Institute shows that in August 2026, over 1.1 million Bulgarian citizens traveled abroad, a 3.5% increase compared to the previous year. Popular destinations included Greece, Turkey, Romania, Serbia, and Germany. Conversely, foreign visitor numbers to Bulgaria saw a 2.1% decrease, with 2.2 million visitors recorded, including a significant number of transit travelers.

To modernize the sector, the National Tourism Board is preparing a digital system that will allow tourists to rate hotels, restaurants, and attractions in real-time via QR codes. This platform aims to create a comprehensive database to monitor service quality. Additionally, industry leaders are calling for a new tourism model that moves away from low-cost seasonality toward year-round, high-quality experiences in niches such as wine, spa, and cultural tourism.

On the regulatory side, the National Revenue Agency has reminded citizens that income and property held abroad must be declared in annual tax returns by April 30, 2026, noting that data exchange between international tax authorities is already in effect.