On 26 August 2026 the National Statistical Institute published preliminary data on tourist trips and household spending in the second quarter of 2026. Here is what the primary source says and what it does not say.
What the NSI reports
In the second quarter, 1.3 million Bulgarian citizens aged 15 and over travelled. The institute reports growth of 4.4% compared with the same quarter of 2025. How the number is expressed matters: it is a number of people who travelled, not a number of trips and not a number of overnight stays.
The breakdown by destination is as follows:
- 67.1% of those who travelled went only within the country;
- 26.9% only abroad;
- and both within the country and abroad 6.0%.
The age group with the most travellers is 45–64 years: 502 thousand people, or 38.2% of all. Domestic tourism prevails in all age groups and is highest among people aged 65 and over (74.3%). The largest share of travellers abroad is among the youngest, aged 15–24: 46.7%.
Why, how and how much is spent
Holidays and excursions are the leading purpose: 56.7% of trips within the country and 75.2% of those abroad.
Independent trips are 1.5 million, or 83.7% of personal trips. Without a booking through a tour operator are 92.2% of trips within the country and 59.3% of those abroad.
The largest spending category is food: 39.9% of spending within the country and 34.8% of spending abroad. The average spend per person on a personal trip is €190.30 within the country and €480.63 abroad.
What the data does not show
In this release the NSI does not report the type of accommodation. There is no breakdown by region, by overnight stays or by venue, so no conclusion can be drawn about the occupancy of a specific hotel, guest house or restaurant. The data is preliminary, and the release does not state a sampling error. The survey is representative of households and covers people aged 15+. A tourist trip is a trip outside the usual environment lasting up to one year, whose main purpose is not paid work.
What it means for the owner
This is not a forecast for your season. But three things are useful for the day-to-day of a small venue.
First, the Bulgarian guest is a real and significant market: two thirds of those who travelled did not leave the country. That is why information about the venue must be clear in Bulgarian, not only for foreigners.
Second, most trips within the country are without a tour operator. The guest searches, compares and contacts the venue alone, so photos, current prices, conditions and the phone number must be quick to find and the same everywhere.
Third, food is the traveller's largest expense. For a hotel or guest house with a kitchen, this is a reason for the menu, breakfast and service hours to be visible even before arrival.
A practical list:
- check that your website and your page on maps show the same prices, phone number and services;
- check that the rooms have current photos and a clear description;
- check that the guest can see where and how to send an enquiry.
To ISKA
If you do not have your own website, ISKA Website shows the rooms with photos and, optionally, a "from" price, the services, the gallery and an enquiry form. An enquiry is not a reservation and does not hold a room. The website is offered by individual quote.