The Bulgarian National Black Sea Resorts in the Context of Domestic Tourism

Abstract

Stimulating domestic tourism is a priority in the development of the tourism industry in Bulgaria. The share of the population's expenditure on travel within the country averages 69% of total travel expenditure. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to analyse the attractiveness, effectiveness, and significance of the national Black Sea resorts for domestic tourism. The data used in the present paper are published and accessible at the web site of the National Statistical Institute of Republic of Bulgaria. To examine the main tendencies in the yearly time series, concerning the Bulgarian Black Sea resorts, we have used statistical analysis of the trend cycle. The selected indicators used for analyses are bed-places in the accommodation establishments in the Bulgarian national Black Sea resorts, arrivals in accommodation establishments, nights spent, revenue from the nights spent and average daily rate per person. The results of the present analysis confirm some trends regarding tourists' attitudes towards domestic tourism and that the resorts offer a pricing policy to attract Bulgarian tourists. The analysis shows the potential of domestic tourism to recover the tourism industry in crises.