Bulgaria tourism shifts as German visitors decline and service inflation rises

Bulgaria is experiencing a shift in its tourism landscape and rising service costs. Data indicates a decline in high-value visitors, with German tourists decreasing by 15% in June and Romanian visitors dropping by 9%. Conversely, the number of Polish tourists has risen by 21%. Industry experts note that while total visitor numbers remain relatively stable, the loss of German travelers is significant because they typically stay for longer durations compared to weekend travelers from neighboring countries.

Simultaneously, Bulgaria is facing seasonal inflation. In July, monthly inflation stood at 0.8%, with an annual rate of 4.5%. The most significant price increases were observed in the hospitality, entertainment, sports, and culture sectors, with some service costs rising by over 11% monthly due to summer demand. While food inflation is slowing down, economists point to internal factors such as high lending, increased money supply, and a current account deficit as drivers of economic pressure.