30 % more Russian tourists in Bulgaria this year

The Russian tourists which will visit Bulgaria this year will be 30% more than the last year, their number will reach 600 000.

This became clear after the meeting of the deputy minister of economy and energy Branimir Botev and the Ambassador in Russia Boiko Kotsev.

The Ministry of economy, energy and tourism reported that Moscow has issued 300 - thousand Bulgarian visas for Russian citizens from the beginning of the year.

The increase in the annual base is 14%.

Botev explained that we need to promote Bulgaria more active as an attractive medical and SPA destination in Europe and on the Russian market.

He made a commitment to capitalize on the opportunities for the expansion of Russian investments in new medical and SPA centers.

Another important factor for bilateral contacts in tourism is the so - called religious tourism.

It is envisaged implementation of a large - scale program "On the path of the orthodoxy in Bulgaria".

"There is untapped potential for the development of new trends in tourism and for the promotion of Bulgaria in Russia as a year-round destination that offers various forms of traditional and specialized tourism", said Branimir Botev.