A Brief History: Balkan Holidays & Bulgaria Tourism

Since the fall of communism in 1989, tourism in Bulgaria has continued to grow with over 10 million annual visitors to the country in 2011 alone. The number of UK holidaymakers arriving in Bulgaria also increased during 2012 by 4.5% due to the incredible value for money offered in the Bulgarian resorts during harsh economic times for the average UK tourist.

As a significant contributor to Bulgaria's economy, new types of tourism have developed over recent years including cultural, architectural and historic tours, eco-tourism and adventure tours, opening the doors for a new range of experiences for visitors to the country.

The main draw card for Bulgaria however is without doubt the summer seaside resorts which have been attracting visitors from far and wide since the early 1960's. Under the communist rule only a handful of resorts namely Albena, Golden Sands & Sunny Beach existed and these resorts were seen as the 'playground' for the Eastern European elite. During the 1960's the resorts began attracting a new audience of rich western holidaymakers seeking a new destination to the usual summer hotspots like Cannes or Nice but these new western visitors to Bulgaria seemed concerned by the equality shown amongst the Bulgarian community which was so different to their own.

Regardless of this, the number of tourists visiting the Black Sea coastline of Bulgaria continued to increase through both the 1970's & 1980's and tourism became an integral part of the Bulgarian economy and continues to be so to this day. Bulgaria has enjoyed a rapid growth in recent years and such is the popularity of Bulgaria amongst the British holidaymakers that according to the Daily Mail in 2010, Bulgaria was the most popular tourist destination for UK travellers outranking destinations like Rio De Janeiro and Sydney.

With over 57 years of experience, Balkan Holidays was founded in 1966 by the Bulgarian state for the worldwide promotion of tourism in Bulgaria and the Balkan region. Since then Balkan Holidays has continued to expand its program in line with the developing needs of the UK holidaymakers and in 1999 Balkan Holidays was privatised and now has member companies with offices and properties in Bulgaria, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Switzerland and Lebanon.

As the specialist tour operator for the Balkan region from the UK, Balkan Holidays London provides value for money holidays to Bulgaria, Croatia, Slovenia, Montenegro and Romania from Beach Holidays and Ski Holidays to City Breaks and Lakes & Mountains Holidays with a comprehensive range of flights from over 20 UK airports and over 250 brochure featured hotels available to choose from. For our guests financial protection and peace of mind, we are also member of both ATOL and ABTA. To find out more about our holidays & flights visit www.balkanholidays.co.uk