Rural tourism in Bulgaria has grown in recent years as an alternative to traditional recreational tourism. Bulgaria has favorable conditions like mountains, cultural heritage, and natural areas that make it well-suited for rural tourism. Some regions like Troyan, central Rhodope villages, and areas in Rila and Pirin have begun specializing in rural tourism. While Bulgaria has traditionally focused on sea and mountain tourism, rural tourism provides new opportunities due to trends in the tourism market. Bulgaria has the potential to become a regional leader in European rural tourism.

1. Rural tourism in Bulgaria
In recent years the issue of rural tourism in Bulgaria is discussed a lot. More attention is
given to alternatives of the recreational tourism. Although a few years ago there were no
in-depth studies on the development of r
ural tourism in Bulgaria
now there are many public institutions, governmental organizations, companies paying attention
to this source of revenue for both individual units and the state as whole. Favorable conditions -
various mountain areas, unique cultural and historical heritage preserved ethnographic identity
and traditions, ecological areas, national parks and reserves, places untouched by human
progress are the factors that make Bulgaria a potential leader in the field of
rural tourism on the Balkans
.
In recent years, areas or districts in the country start specializing in rural tourism. These are
the region of Troyan, central Rhodope villages in Rila and Pirin.
For many years, Bulgaria has established and developed mainly sea and mountain tourism.
Global trends in hospitality and tourism market in the country require us to seek alternative
forms of tourism. A good opportunity in this regard is the creation and development of rural
tourism
in the country.
Bulgarians have a positive attitude towards rural areas in Bulgaria. The roots of the Bulgarian
spirit and character can be found in the Bulgarian, preserved in the greatest peculiarity of the
Bulgarian traditions. The vacation in a village is an unique opportunity to feel and enter into a
lifestyle that promotes bridges between cultures and times. The attractive natural environment,
preserved folk customs and handicrafts settlements - architectural reserves, traditional cuisine,
the famous Bulgarian hospitality, would make the village a favorite holiday.
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2. Rural tourism in Bulgaria
Bulgaria is in economic transition and agriculture is experiencing a crisis, leading some experts
believe that any form of rural tourism rather would be a variant of recreation, mountain, river, or
similar forms of tourism related to geography and landscape. According to other authors,
conditions for development of rural tourism in Bulgaria are good, but it is necessary to
understand the resources to ensure sustainable agricultural development of new forms. They
believe it is necessary to diversify the supply of tourism products conforming to international
standards, training of personnel in the tourism sector as a whole and particularly in its specialist
activities. It is imperative that conservation and development of traditional crafts, promotion of
remote and backward regions within the country. It is important to recognize the need for
improvement and development of common infrastructure, knowledge and implementation
experience of leading countries in the
development of rural tourism
.
Prevailing opinion is that Bulgaria has considerable potential for tourism development.
Favourable conditions for this are its geographical location, climate, presence of mineral
springs, sandy beaches and diverse mountain areas, unique cultural and historical heritage,
preserved ethnic identity and traditions, facilities for recreation with highly qualified personnel
and the availability of green areas , national parks and reserves, places untouched by human
progress.
Although there are no detailed studies on rural tourism, as well as significant work on its
development may indicate the rural areas that initiate the development of rural tourism in
Bulgaria and some of
them have already gained considerable experience. There are regions and individual
settlements with very good opportunities for tourism and positive events, initiatives and
achievements in practicing it.
Tourism in rural areas is a growing niche of the tourism industry. There is a trend towards
dynamic development of mass tourism and specialist (alternative) forms. Bulgaria has the
opportunity to become a regional leader in the European invasions of rural tourism. Despite
the slight stagnation in
tourism development in Bulgaria
in recent years the number of foreign tourists visiting our country in 2006 increased by 6.7%
over 2005 and a total of 4,364,557 tourists. Revenue generated from tourism in 2007 reached
2.5 billion euros. The largest proportion of visitors from EU countries account for our neighbors -
Serbia and Montenegro, Greece and Macedonia. In 2006 Bulgaria was visited by 590,367
Serbian tourists (14.97% over 2005) 550,571 Greek tourists (10.51% less than 2005), 506,193
tourists from the Republic of Macedonia (8% less than 2005). No studies to what extent they
have come to rural tourism. It is estimated that 80% of tourists visited Bulgarian mountain
villages and are organized into groups and travel round programs.
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3. Rural tourism in Bulgaria
In rural tourism the majority of trips are for 1 day (no overnight) or weekend (two days) trips.
Most Bulgarians stay in private accommodation (37%) in a hotel or with friends - 21% and in
rural houses - 8%. Very interesting is the fact that among the most popular places for summer
holidays are villas / houses in villages - 12%, even higher this percentage in the winter - 28%.
Of course, one of the main reasons is the inability of the Bulgarians to spend their vacation in a
resort.
The predominant visitors in the Bulgarian mountains and villages are Germans, Frenchmen,
Spaniards, Englishmen and Americans. According to the Bulgarian Association for Alternative
Tourism (BAAT) interest in the rural areas has intensified. Increasing demand for rural tourism
is about 6%.
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