417 000 Russian tourists

Bulgaria Sees Massive Influx of Russian Tourists Jan-Aug 2012
2012-10-01 11:24:44 Sofia News Agency

Some 417 000 Russian tourists visited Bulgaria in the first eight months of 2012, according to the Association of Tour operators of Russia.
Russians now account for 11.7% of all tourists visiting the Balkan country, a significant increase as compared to 2008 (5.7%).

The Association reveals that the largest number of Russian tourists visited Bulgaria in July – a total of 136 500 people.

Bulgaria also saw a 42% increase year-on-year in its number of Russian tourists in August.
Earlier in 2012, Bulgarian Deputy Economy Minister in charge of tourism Ivo Marinov predicted a 20% rise in the number of Russians visiting Bulgaria in 2012.

As of January 2012, Russian holders of Schengen visas have been able to visit and stay in Bulgaria without Bulgarian visas.