· The country is increasingly on tour operator’s radar screens, with tourism numbers forecast to increase 15-20% in 2005.

· In 2005 the EU's open air agreement comes into place, allowing all European based airlines to fly to any city. This should increase tourist numbers as flight prices become more competitively priced.

· Coastal and mountain regions have already experienced 100% hotel/apartment utilisation over the busy periods, thus it would appear that demand is outstripping supply in these areas.

· Local consumers are now allowed to obtain mortgages, allowing them to upgrade from Soviet era panel blocks. Higher quality developments are increasingly in demand from the local population as well as foreigners.

· China is in negotiations to allow its citizens to travel to beach resorts for vacations. Chinese spent $15bn on travel last year.

Here you can find some statistics of the tourist in Bulgaria.