Hotel revenues in Bulgaria are rising at a faster pace, with growth reaching 17%, according to the latest data from the National Statistical Institute. The trend reflects changes in pricing and hotel classification rather than a sharp increase in tourist numbers, according to Prof. Rumen Draganov, director of the Institute for Tourism Analysis and Evaluation.
Draganov explained that part of the stronger revenue growth came from hotels moving into higher categories. He said demand for better accommodation standards had increased, which had encouraged more hotel operators to upgrade their services and reposition themselves in the market.
Another factor, according to him, is the adjustment of prices linked to Bulgaria’s entry into the eurozone. Many hotels have already raised their prices, and in some cases the increase has been significant.
“Prices are increasing, but they are reaching the levels they should be,” Draganov said, arguing that the sector was aligning itself with broader European standards.
He stressed that the higher revenues should not be interpreted as the result of a larger number of tourists or major growth in employment within the industry. Instead, he believes the main explanation lies in the shift toward higher-category accommodation and the corresponding rise in room rates.
Draganov also rejected claims that Bulgaria was losing foreign visitors, stating clearly that there was no noticeable outflow of international tourists from the country. On the contrary, he pointed to stronger demand and more reservations for the upcoming holiday season.
According to him, summer bookings are increasing and expectations for the tourism season remain positive, with more visitors expected compared to previous periods.
He added that hotels unable to expand physically or significantly change their structure were focusing on internal renovation instead. Many are modernising rooms, improving comfort, and standardising accommodation quality in order to stay competitive.
Draganov noted that around 90% of the hotel base currently reflected renovated facilities, while only about 10% represents entirely new construction. This, he said, showed that the sector was relying more on upgrading existing infrastructure than on building new hotels from scratch. (Novinite)