Russia is among the most important generating markets for the Bulgarian tourism. In our country nearly 600 000 Russian tourists abided in 2012, more than 31% more in comparison to the previous year. The increase in number of Russian tourists in Bulgaria is a lasting trend in recent years despite the global crisis. Assen Vassilev, the Minister of Economy, Energy and Tourism, said in his address to the organizers and guests of the eighth international tourism exhibition INTURMARKET-2013 in Moscow - one of the largest in the world.
Over 300,000 Russian citizens already have a property in Bulgaria and according to opinion polls in Russia every fifth resident wants to buy a second home in our country. Citizens of Russia have been among the most desired foreign tourists in the country for years. Bulgaria is among the leading countries favored by Russian citizens for recreation and in this respect competes successfully with European countries with long-lasting traditions. Our country is especially popular as a destination for family vacations and children's holiday. More and more Russian-speaking tourists are recorded for a thematic visits - New Year, Easter and SPA programs.
A movie for Bulgaria was presented during the conference. A presentation was made by the archaeologist Prof. Kazimir Popkonstantinov who in the summer of 2010 found the relics of St. John the Baptist in excavations on the Sozopol’s island of St. John. The historian underlined the great interest of Bulgarian and foreign tourists in the findings and the region. In the summer of 2010 the relics were bowed to by an average of 2500-3000 visitors a day. Special sea cruise tours of pilgrims and scholars from different countries were organized to Sozopol. This is an excellent incentive for the development of religious and cultural tourism in conjunction with the specialized routes along the old Roman Via Pontica.