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Bulgaria's rural tourism sees 25 per cent increase

In line with this is the 25-per cent increase seen in rural tourism in 2006 as compared with 2005. The chairperson of the managing board of the Association of Bulgarian Villages, Borislav Borissov, said this at an October 16 news conference hosted by Bulgarian news agency BTA. In the about 200 villages offering professionally developed rural tourism opportunities, said Borissov, there are about 500 guest houses and small family hotels, though not all have received official ratings.

Areas around Veliko Turnovo, Blagoevgrad and the southern Black Sea coast had the most developed business. Such locations can be found in the bilingual Bulgaria Guidebook of Bed & Breakfasts and Guesthouses, published by BAAT annually.

The Association of Bulgarian Villages was set up at the end of summer 2006, with the purpose of helping to protect the interests of Bulgarian villages, solve their problems and attract investments. The association also plans to set up a data base containing information about each village offering rural tourism, according to BTA.