Discover Bulgaria - a Magic Worldwide Hit

Impressive estimates have been reported of the number of worldwide viewers who watched the recent series of TV ads for Bulgarian tourism featured on four international TV channels. This is the second year that the campaign has been run and, for 2010 - 2011, a total of 137 million viewers are said to have watched Bulgaria's tourism ads at least four times on National Geographic, Euronews, Eurosport, and Discovery Channel.

Aneliya Genova, head of Marketing, Advertising, and Information in Tourism in the Ministry of Economy, Energy, and Tourism announced that the advertising campaign cost a total of BGN 7.5 million funded through the EU Regional Development Program and took place between 6th September and 27th December 2010 and then from 31st January until 27th March, 2011.

A total of 561 30-second video ads of Bulgaria were shown on Eurosport, 952 on Euronews, 504 on National Geographic, and 1020 on Discovery Channel. The videos on Euronews and Eurosport were general, while those on National Geographic and Discovery focused on culture and nature.

More than half of the ads were shown during prime time viewing of the four channels. A total of 14 million page views were also generated through Bulgaria's advertising banners on the TV channels' websites. All four channels made documentaries about Bulgaria as part of the advertising campaign.

Despite some public debate as to the quality and substance of the videos and the campaign's general approach, the Bulgarian Economy Ministry says that the priority was to focus on image-making and increasing awareness about Bulgaria, and that the overall effect of the campaign is yet to be fully measured. When the campaign was introduced in August 2010, there were estimates that it was supposed to increase the number of foreign tourists in Bulgaria by 4%-5% and recently released reports suggest that this target is likely to be achieved.

Bulgaria's TV ads were aired abroad under the Discover Bulgaria - Magic Lives Here slogan - an example of a typical 30-second ad can be viewed here on YouTube.

For advice, assistance and information about Moving to Bulgaria, we recommend that you visit our website at MovetoBG.com - and for accommodation options, resources and services, we suggest Bulgaria Gateway

Sofia ranked best-value cultural tourist destination in EU

Sofia tops the ranking for the best value European cultural destinations from a survey of forty major cities. The research finding comes from the company Price of Travel in their report, "Europe 3-star Traveller Index", published on 30th March 2011.

The rating takes into account the following cost factors based on two people sharing hotel rooms and taxis:

• One night in the cheapest 3-star hotel available with a good location
• Two 3-kilometer taxi rides per day (one ride paid per person)
• One cultural attraction, such as a popular museum, per day
• Three meals per day using the top end of the range for budget meals
• Three beers (or wine) each day

Non-drinkers might have dessert and coffee or attend a local music performance instead, so this is a general benchmark that should be proportional for each city.

According to the compiled figures from Price of Travel, a day in Sofia costs $46.91. Second comes the city of Budapest, where the daily cost for tourists is about $9 more than Sofia. In third place is Krakow at $58.96, followed by Bucharest - $60.98 and Warsaw - $80.12

With a daily cost of $136.63, London is listed in 32nd place, making it  more costly  than: Moscow, Brussels, Helsinki and Nice. The most expensive tourist destinations, though, are Oslo, with a  cost of $170.78, Stockholm at $179.40 and Zurich where tourists will pay a hefty $188.44 for their day.

This is the second set of research findings this year from Price of Travel. In January, they published their results from a similar study based on costs for backpackers, rather than 3-star travellers. In this research Sofia was, once again, rated as Europe's best value destination.

For advice, assistance and information about Moving to Bulgaria, we recommend that you visit our website at MovetoBG.com - and for accommodation options, resources and services, we suggest Bulgaria Gateway

Bulgaria's Summer Bookings up by 30 percent

Book early ... or you could be too late. That's the advice from tourism experts in Bulgaria for everybody planning a beach holiday or a visit to an inland Spa & Wellness resort.

Specialists in the sector point out that, even now, there are very few vacancies left for first line accommodation on the beach. By offering prices at 15-20% lower than last year, most hotel owners have sold out all their early bookings and are already asking slightly higher prices for the rooms that are still vacant. Forecasts as a whole for the summer indicate higher tourist numbers and an increase in charter flights from Russia and Western Europe.

Deputy Minister of Tourism Ivo Marinov commented that the expected increase of tourists visiting Bulgaria this summer will come from Germany, Russia and the Scandinavian countries. This is indirectly confirmed by early bookings from Russian tourists which have tripled compared to 2010. The overall increase in tourist flow from Russia to Bulgaria is expected to be around 30% compared with summer 2010. The Regional Association of Hotel and Restaurant Owners are also forecasting that there will be 20-25% more tourists staying in the hotels along Bulgaria’s northern Black Sea coast compared with last year.

Travel agents say that the unsettled situation in the Middle East is leading to higher interest in Eastern European destinations and part of the tourist flow is expected to shift to Bulgaria. The main reason for Bulgaria as a logical choice is that most tourists re-considering their holidays will prefer to exchange resorts in places such as Egypt with those offering holidays in the same price segment … and that's just what Bulgaria offers.

For advice, assistance and information about Moving to Bulgaria, we recommend that you visit our website at MovetoBG.com - and for accommodation options, resources and services, we suggest Bulgaria Gateway

Driving in Bulgaria

Visitors to Bulgaria may drive using their national licence as long as it complies with international standards. The standard credit card type EU driving licence with photo identity is recognised but with licences from other countries it is advisable to carry an international licence as well. EU citizens who are long-term or permanently resident in Bulgaria are not required to take a driving test or hold a Bulgarian licence, although non-EU nationals will usually need to do so. This should be checked with the local police in the town or city of residence.

Fuel in Bulgaria is lead free and available at 98, 95 and 92 octane levels. Diesel fuel is also widely available through the country, together with LPG and there are petrol service stations along all major routes. Road signs follow international standards and are often written in English as well as Bulgarian. All drivers should be aware that roads are not maintained to the same standards as in other European countries and, as a result, potholes and uneven surface conditions are common. Under Bulgarian law seat belts must be worn by all passengers, mobile phones can only be used with hands-free sets and headlights are required at all times between 1st November and 31st March. Speed limits for cars are 50 km/h (30mph) inside city. town and village limits, 90 km/h (55mph) outside built-up areas and 120 km/h (75mph) on motorways. Roadside speed cameras are in place and police patrols operate on all main roads and some minor roads. Depending upon the circumstances of any particular situation, traffic police are empowered to levy on the spot fines of up to 50 Lev (€25 / £22) for which a receipt will be given, or issue a ticket for any offence, or confiscate an offending driver's licence. The sensible approach is to be aware of traffic rules and to drive carefully.

Obligatory insurance (similar to 3rd party) is required, while comprehensive insurance is optional. Road tax is based on engine size and vehicle age and is levied by the Obshtina (local authority) of the town or city where the vehicle is registered. In addition, all vehicles driving on public roads are required to display a Vignette window sticker costing 67 Lev (€34 / £30) a year. All vehicles over three years old must undergo an annual roadworthiness test (similar to MOT)

For advice, assistance and information about Moving to Bulgaria, we recommend that you visit our website at MovetoBG.com - and for accommodation options, resources and services, we suggest Bulgaria Gateway

Bulgaria's dental tourism flourishing

Dental tourism is on the increase with more and more foreigners combining a holiday to Bulgaria's Black Sea coast with a visit to the dentist.

The bigger cities along the Black Sea coast have started to cash in from a growing number of foreigners, the majority of whom are Britons and Greeks, who cannot get treatment on the NHS or cannot afford to pay huge bills for going private, doctors say.

"The global economic crisis has increased the demand for affordable prices, which dentists in Bulgaria offer", says Ventsislav Stoev, chairman of the Dental Tourism Association in Bulgaria.

According to him the crisis provides a new opportunity for Bulgaria to further develop its dental tourism, which already has a successful history of more than 20 years.

Dentists in the south-west Bulgarian cities of Sandanski and Petrich have reported a massive influx of Greek clients who prefer to come to Bulgaria for treatment because the quality of service is just as good but considerably cheaper than in Greece. According to local media reports dental tourism is so popular with Greek clients that clinics in Petrich have already started publishing their working hours, services and prices in both Bulgarian and Greek.

For UK clients, Bulgaria is a preferred destination due to the low-cost, high-quality dental care that is available. Prices that local dentists charge are about 15 to 20 percent of those in Great Britain. Data shows that 35000 Britons a year travel overseas for dental work and nearly 60000 searched online for information on dentists. Britons can save up to 80% by travelling overseas for dental treatment - before accommodation and flights are taken into account.

For advice, assistance and information about Moving to Bulgaria, we recommend that you visit our website at MovetoBG.com - and for accommodation options, resources and services, we suggest Bulgaria Gateway