SOFIA Tourism in Figures 2015
www.visitsofia.bg Sofia Tourism Administration 2016 Edition
ОП“Туризъм“ Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration CONTENTS 2015
I. INTRODUCTION
II. DEMOGRAPHIC AND ECONOMIC PROFILE p. 1
III. TRANSPORT p.3 Air, road, railway and city transport
IV. ACCOMMODATION p.12 Supply, demand, occupancy, Sofia’s position in Bulgaria
V. CATERING AND ENTERTAINMENT ESTABLISHMENTS p.31 Types and capacity
VI. PRICES OF SOME COMMODITIES AND TOURIST SERVICES p.32 Comparison of prices in some European capitals
VII. MORE ABOUT SOFIA p.36 History Culture Nature Sports and leisure activities Discover Sofia Free Walking Tour Pilgrimage tours
VIII. GLOSSARY p.44 Terms and abbreviations
ОП“Туризъм“ Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration INTRODUCTION 2015
Ivo Marinov Director Sofia Tourism Administration Dear consumers, Dear colleagues,
Sofia Tourism Administration presents to you the fifth consequent edition of the tourist reference book “Sofia – Tourism in Figures”. The current information presents the opportunity to study in detail the development of tourism and the tendencies in the field. 2015 was of strategic importance to the development of Sofia as a contemporary European city with a competitive economy, part of which is tourism. The strategic decisions and the grand scale work toward achieving competitiveness of the city would start to contribute to the development of tourism. In order to maximize the contribution of the management of the destination, as well as increasing the competitiveness of the city’s economy, Sofia has worked toward a based on knowledge economic and public development. In 2015 the Bulgarian capital became the core of innovations and start-ups in the country and set the course of the development of the successful destinations. On December 11, 2015, the first science-technological park in Bulgaria – Sofia Tech Park – was opened in order to connect science, business and technologies. In unison with EU’s policy, where innovations lead, a new Strategy for Smart Specialization of the Economy of Sofia 2016-2020 was devised. Thus, Sofia became the first city in Bulgaria with a municipal strategy for smart specialization – a worthy example for the other cities and regions in the country. The strategy included two main directions – the development of new technologies in the creative and re-creative industries and production and distribution of films in south-east Europe, thus strengthening Sofia’s position as a regional capital of the new digital market. In 2015 Sofia municipality worked effortlessly toward providing better infrastructure and system of public transport, new attractions, sports facilities, parks, rich event calendar. The applied green policy toward sustainable development of the destination’s economy aims not only at preserving the resource but at providing favourable field for developing the tourist business and quality experience for the visitors. In this regard, in 2015, two new tourist information centres were established – Chitalnyata (the reading room) and Largo, thus adding to a total of five. Sofia municipality through Sofia Tourism Administration continues to offer two free of charge products for citizens and visitors of Sofia – a free tour of the main centre’s landmarks and four annual pilgrimage tours, visiting monasteries around the capital and the Rila holy cloister.
ОП“Туризъм“ Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration 2015 saw two new attractions – Sofia History Museum and the largest science centre in Eastern Europe – Muzeyko. The capital also offered to its citizens and visitors one more step into the future – the modern mobile application Farol City Guides, which is a contemporary city guide. The investments and the large scale projects brought prizes in the first INFRASTRUCTURE BULGARIA AWARDS 2016 national competition in the categories of Ecologic infrastructure and Metropolitan – transport infrastructure, as well as special awards. In 2015 the tourist industry continues to grow keeping the sustainable tendency of previous years. Tourist growth in 2015 compared to 2014 is 9,72%. Statistics shows that 1 061 522 tourists have visited Sofia in 2015 and the registered overnights mark a 8,49% growth and the figure is 1 872 978. The number of tourists from Germany, Great Britain and Italy has raised. Sofia Airport has received 7% more tourists in 2015 compared to 2014 due mainly to international travelers, whose increase is 7.6%. The direct flights connecting Sofia Airport to various international destinations in 2015 is 54 with Dusseldorf, Memmingen, Naples, Bari, Geneve and Koln being the latest additions. The stats of Sofia in the national system of tourism show the considerable contribution of the city for improving the efficiency of the tourist development of the country. Even with considerably low capacity for accommodation (4.1% of accommodation establishments and 3.9% of beds), Sofia has a leading position regarding tourism in Bulgaria, especially in regard to overnights revenue (3rd place). Sofia is above the average country levels regarding overnights in 2015 compared to 2014 (Sofia has a 5.28% growth, Bulgaria – 1.38% negative growth) and people staying overnight (Sofia – 6,65% growth, Bulgaria – 5.6% growth). The challenges that Sofia faced in 2015 set the capital on a course that “Grows but does not age” and it shall work toward keeping its competitiveness at the European tourist market.
ОП“Туризъм“ Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILEDEMOGRAPHIC AND ECONOMIC PROFILE 2015
Numbr of District in Sofia % DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE citizens 1 Lyulin 114 813 8,9 Area: 492,092 sq. km 2 Serdica 46 949 3,6 Sofia occupies 6.9% of the whole area of the 3 Krasno Selo 83 552 6,5 4 Triaditsa 63 451 4,9 District of Sofia, which has a territory of 7,059 5 Mladost 102 899 8 sq. km or 6.4% of the area of the country 6 Novi Iskar 28 991 2,2 (Bulgaria: 110,994 sq. km). 7 Oborishte 31 060 2,4 8 Ovcha Kupel 54 417 4,2 9 Ilinden 33 236 2,6 Population: 1,292,591 (NSI figures according to 2011 census) 10 Iskar 63 248 4,9 Krasna By the end of 2015 the population of the 11 58 234 4,5 Polyana capital city numbered 1 231 981, accounting 12 Lozenets 53 080 4,1 for 17,2% of the population of Bulgaria (7 153 784), according 13 Nadezhda 67 905 5,3 to NSI stats. The said number is to go up to 14 Sredets 32 423 2,5 1 360 412 by 2020, referring to a realistic and 15 Poduyane 76 672 5,9 EU-consistent convergence hypothesis variant. Sofia is divided in 24 administrative districts. 16 Studentski 71 961 5,6 17 Bankya 12 136 0,9 18 Izgrev 30 896 2,4
Districts of Sofia municipality 19 Kremikovtsi 23 641 1,8 20 Vrabnitsa 47 969 3,7
21 Vitosha 61 467 4,8 Reference source: NSI, 2011 22 Pancharevo 28 586 2,2 23 Slatina 66 702 5,2 24 Vazrazhdane 37 303 2,9 TOTAL: 1 291 591 100
ОП“Туризъм“ Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILEDEMOGRAPHIC AND ECONOMIC PROFILE 2015 ECONOMIC PROFILE Employed persons 2015 According to 2015 NSI figures, the average registered number of persons employed under contract of employment or ex-officio in the capital city is 670 400. According to Sofia Tourism Administration figures 32 885 persons are employed at accommodation establishments and catering and еntertainment establishments, licensed and rated by the Mayor of Sofia Municipality for 2015. Number of people employed in the categorized by the mayoer of Sofia in the hotel, restaurant and catering sector in the territory of Sofia Municipality in 2015 by districts
Total employed at People employed accommodation restaurants, catering People employed at establishments, and entertainment accommodation restaurants, catering and establishments establishments District entertainment establishments
Number Number Number of people Share % Share % of Share % of people people Lyulin 1 207 3,67 1 187 3,7 20 1,8 Serdica 839 2,55 779 2,4 60 5,5 Krasno Selo 1 546 4,70 1 503 4,7 43 3,9 Triaditsa 3 392 10,31 3 290 10,3 102 9,37 Mladost 2 455 7,47 2 408 7,5 47 4,3 Novi Iskar 206 0,63 196 0,6 10 0,9 Oborishte 2 381 7,24 2 275 7,1 106 9,7 Ovcha Kupel 754 2,29 712 2,2 42 3,8 Ilinden 598 1,82 598 1,8 0 0 Iskar 897 2,73 891 2,8 6 0,5 Krasna Polyana 305 0,93 305 0,9 0 0 Lozenets 1 732 5,27 1 709 5,4 30 2,75 Nadezhda 723 2,20 718 2,3 5 0,45 Sredets 4 356 13,25 4 289 13,5 67 6,1 Poduyane 798 2,43 768 2,4 30 2,75 Studentski 2 304 7,01 2 263 7,1 41 3,76 Bankya 291 0,88 219 0,7 72 6,6 Izgrev 854 2,60 844 2,6 10 0,9 Kremikovtsi 355 1,08 339 1,06 16 1,47 Vrabnitsa 347 1,06 335 1,05 12 1,1 Vitosha 2 269 6,90 2 151 6,76 118 10,8 Pancharevo 725 2,20 665 2,09 60 5,5 Slatina 1 518 4,62 1 424 4,47 94 8,6 Vazrazhdane 2 033 6,18 1 929 6,06 104 9,55 Total 32 885 100 31 797 100 1088 100 Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration – based on figures indicated in inventories of professional and language qualifications of persons employed at accommodation and catering and entertainment establishments.
The high concentration of accommodation and catering and entertainment establishments in the city centre is a prerequisite for the large number of employed people mainly in this region of Sofia.
ОП“Туризъм“ Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILEDEMOGRAPHIC AND ECONOMIC PROFILE 2015
. Number of persons employed at catering and entertainment establishments in the territory of Sofia Municipality for 2015, by month. Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration
Clearly, the greatest number of job-holding persons in 2015 is to be found in the hotel, restaurant, catering and entertainment sector in Sredets district - 13,5 %. Triaditsa, Mladost, Oborishte, Studentski and Vitosha also account for a considerable number of employed people in this field.
Number of persons employed at accommodation establishments in the territory of Sofia Municipality for 2015, by month. Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration
The greatest number of job-holding persons at accommodation establishments is at Vitosha, Oborishte, Triaditsa and Vazrazhdane, where the main part of the AC are concentrated.
ОП“Туризъм“ Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration TRANSPORT 2015
Sofia is the largest transportation centre in Bulgaria. There is scheduled direct air, bus and railway transport to and from the Bulgarian capital. The transportation system in the capital is well developed; it is also a major component of the national transport system. All types of transport, with the notable exception of water transport, are represented in Sofia. AIR TRANSPORT Sofia Airport, Bulgaria’s largest international airport, aggregating over 4 million passengers of incoming and outgoing traffic, is the national air transport hub. In 2015 Sofia Airport serviced a record number of 4 088 943 passengers – 7.2% more than 2014. The total number of passengers arriving to Sofia Airport in 2015 was 2 005 978 which is 7% up on comparable 2014 figures.
NUMBER OF ARRIVALS TO SOFIA AIRPORT OVER 2014 and 2015
2014 2015
5 5
ights
/201 /201 4
4
Difference Difference
201 201 2014/2015
Изменение Изменение
International International International International International
charter fl charter flights charter
Domestic flights Domestic flights Domestic
scheduled flights scheduled flights scheduled January 110 443 12 470 3 986 116952 5,89 12980 4,09 4522 13,45 February 114 080 8 804 4 515 120771 5,87 7595 -13,73 4219 -6,56 March 131 068 4 028 5 129 143922 9,81 1872 -53,53 4254 -17,06 April 144 792 1 295 5 857 149930 3,55 2358 82,08 4673 -20,22 May 163 155 5 777 6 319 165203 1,26 4199 -27,32 5297 -16,17 June 165 856 3 956 8 401 173270 4,47 5401 36,53 7711 -8,21 July 183 694 1 303 10 018 196181 6,8 1766 35,53 10003 -0,15 August 162 959 1 347 12 513 179212 9,97 2034 51 12831 2,54 September 151 148 6 450 8 772 168650 11,58 6914 7,19 8730 -0,48 October 146 457 3 158 5 993 163902 11,91 2704 -14,38 5940 -0,88 November 122 460 890 4 950 135656 10,78 393 -55,84 4791 -3,21 December 145 239 4 591 4 731 160151 10,27 2730 -40,54 4296 -9,19 Total 1 873 number of 1 741 351 54 069 81 184 7,61 50946 -5,78 77 267 -4,82 passengers 800 Reference source: Sofia Airport PLC
According to Sofia Airport the international scheduled flights in 2015 were used by 93.4% of the total year passenger flow, domestic flights 3.9% and the charter flights - respectively 2.5%. in 2015 Sofia Airport received 7.6% more passengers than in 2014. There is a slight decrease in charter and domestic flights - 5,8% and 4,82%.
ОП“Туризъм“ Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration TRANSPORT 2015
.
Passengers arriving at Sofia Airport via international scheduled flights – 2015; Passengers arriving at Sofia Airport via domestic airline flights 1999 -2015 Reference source: Sofia Airport PLC Monthly fluctuations in the number of arriving passengers appear to be insignificant. The number of arrivals in the peak tourist month of August is 38% up on relevant figures for February – the least active tourist month. The total number of passengers arriving via domestic airlines has been continually on the rise since 2002, save 2012, when a slight drop was registered and continued up until 2015, when the drop compared to 2014 – 5%.
Number of passengers arriving at Sofia Airport via international airlines flights 1998–2015
Reference source: Sofia Airport PLC
Starting in 2013 untill 2015 there is a tendency toward an increase in international arrivals, marking a 7.6% increase in 2015 compared to 2014.
PASSSENGER FLOW AT TERMINALS T1 AND T2 in 2015
In 2015, 36% ( 716 809 passengers) went through T1 and 64% (1 289 169 passengers) through T2. Both terminals have received more passengers compared to 2014.
ОП“Туризъм“ Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration TRANSPORT 2015
Number of passengers arriving at Sofia Airport 2014–2015, by terminals
Distribution of flights in 2014, by segments
Reference source: Sofia Airport PLC
44 416 flights landed at Sofia airport in 2015 which is a 5% increase on 2014. The international lines mark a 6% increase and the business a 17.3%.
Източник:“Летище София“ АД
The top destinations that mark the higest number of outbound traffic are London, Vienna, Milano, Paris, Frankfurt, Brussels, Rome, Tel Aviv, Madrid, Dortmund. They are not only attractive tourist destinations but European business centres, as well.
ОП“Туризъм“ Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration TRANSPORT 2015
Top destinationsdepartures from Sofia via direct routes, 2015
Reference source: Sofia Airport PLC
The 10 airlines that hold the highest number of departures from Sofia Airport in 2015 are: Sofia-London; Sofia-Vienna; Sofia-Frankfurt, Munich, Paris, Istanbul, Rome, Milano, Brussels and Mardid. In 2015 there were scheduled flights to 54 destinations, with 6 new ones – Dusseldorf, Memmingen, Naples, Bari, Geneva and Koln. The first flights to these destinations were realized in the summer of 2015 through Bulgaria Air (Sofia-Duseldorf) and Wizz Air.
New destinations for Sofia Airport in 2015 Destination Airline Date of first flight Dusseldorf Bulgaria Air 04.6.2015 Memmingen Wizz Air 26.07.2015 Naples Wizz Air 26.07.2015 Bari Wizz Air 27.07.2015 Geneva Wizz Air 27.07.2015 Koln Wizz Air 27.07.2015 Reference source: Sofia Airport PLC
Scheduled flights from Zurich to Sofia start in May, operated by Swiss International. By the end of 2015 charter flights start from London to Sofia, operated by Norwegian Air International. To and from Bristol operate Enter Air. Dniproavia’s flights to Bristopol remain seasonal.
New airlines Sofia Airport in 2015 Airline Destination Date of first flight Type Scheduled Swiss International Zurich 02.05.2015 Charter Norwegian Air International London 19.12.2015 Charter Enter Air Bristol 26.12.2015 Seasonal Dniproavia Borispol 30.12.2015 Reference source: Sofia Airport PLC
ОП“Туризъм“ Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration TRANSPORT 2015 Top airlines in 2015 by share of number of passengers
Wizz Air 29% Bulgaria Air 27% Lufthansaа 11% Austrian Airlines 7,10% Easyjet 4,60% Turkish Airlines 4,50% British Airways 2,60% AlItalia 1,90% Aegean Airlines 1,60% Aeroflot 1,50% Refference source: http://www.sofia-airport.bg/sites/default/files/top_airlines_2015.pdf
Among the top airlines with largest share of passengers in 2015 is the low cost Wizz Air. One more low cost among the top ten is Easyjet.
Sofia airline companies’ share by number of passengers in 2015
Refference source: http://www.sofia-airport.bg/sites/default/files/top_airlines_2015.pdf
ОП“Туризъм“ Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration
TRANSPORT 2015
BUS TRANSPORT
Two major transport terminals are of great importance when it comes to international tourism in Sofia. The Central Bus Station and Serdica Station located right next to Central Railway Station are just 5 minutes away from the city centre by metro or a 20-minute walk.
The Central Bus Station is a terminal that serves arriving or departing buses and soes not have statistical data on passenger flow. According to Central Bus Station in 2015, 4 269 international buses arrived in Sofia. The number of carriers was 84 and the main destinations were: Greece, Moldova, Macedonia, Spain, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Romania, Litva, Latvia, Poland and The Czech Republic.
According to Serdica Station 1 067 international buses arrived in 2015. The total number of international and domestic ones was 32 000. The number of bus carriers was 19. The international destinations were: Germany, Austria, Holland, France, Italy, Spain, England, Slovenia, The Czech Republic, Croatia, Slovakia, Serbia and Hungary. Compared to 2014 there is a slight decrease in arriving international buses – 7.8%, the same percent goes for arriving passengers by domestic and international lines.
RAILWAY TRANSPORT
According to Bulgarian State Railways, Passenger transportation, 7 international trains arrived on daily basis in 2015 at Central Railway Station – Belgrade, Bucharest, Istanbul, Thessaloniki, Budapest, Moscow/Minsk/Warsaw/Budapest – the last one is from 13.12.2015. the number of passengers arriving with international trains for 2015 is 12 746, which is 12% less compared to 2014. The domestic ones mark a 9% increase or 2 407 802. The total number of international and domestic ones is 2 420 548.
Number of passengers arriving at Sofia Central Railway Station on board international trains (2005 -2015)
Reference source: Bulgarian State Railways, Passenger transportation
Since 2008 there has been a considerable decrease in the number of international arrivals using airlines rather than trains.
ОП“Туризъм“ Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration TRANSPORT 2015
CITY TRANSPORT The city transport system covers all populated places within the limits of Sofia Municipality. Public transport passenger services are handled by in-house transport operators (municipally-owned) and private transport operators. The Urban Mobility Centre oversees and coordinates their operations. A network of tramcar, trolley bus and bus lines, as well as a Metropolitan system, operates in the territory of Sofia Municipality. In 2015, 390 buses (230 of which with low floor) tracked 68 fixedroute lines. The average age of the transport vehicles is 14.3 years. The number of passengers serviced in 2015 is 157 657 228, tracked by “Sofia Urban Mobility Centre” LTD. According to “Stolichen Autotransport” LTD, in 2015, 126 trolly buses serviced 9 lines and 268 trams and 44 trailers – 15 lines. The total amont of passengers serviced by both is 124 060 000. The average age of trolley buses is 11.9 and trams – 26.1
Average age of rolling stock of trams, trolley buses and busses in Sofia in 2015 Rolling stock of the ground public transport in Sofia in 2015
Reference source: “Stolichen Elektrotransport” EAD “Stolichen Autotransport” EAD
The graphics shows the relative share of the types of ground city transport for 2015. Old transport vehicles that serviced Sofia since the 80s are being taken out of operation. Single ones would be used fro museum expositions.
ОП“Туризъм“ Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration TRANSPORT 2015
Number of low-floor transport vehicles in Sofia in 2015
Reference source: “Stolichen Elektrotransport” EAD “Stolichen Autotransport” EAD
With the highest number of vehicles with a low floor, accessible for physically challenged people, are the buses – 230 they form 59% of all buses, whereas the trolley buses with a low floor form 72% of all trolley buses and 23.9% of the trams. This makes the trams the okdest and most inaccessible transport vehicles. Charging on city transportation vehicles is done by one-way single tickets, priced BGN 1, coupons of 5 or 10 tickets on paper or electronic pass, as well as one-day paper passes, monthly, quarterly, and yearly electronic travel passes. In electric transport, charging is done by non-contact validation of the electronic passes on specially mounted validation devices, or manually punching the tickets in composters. However, the non-contact validation of electronic passes has not as yet been introduced on buss transport vehicles, manual punching of tickets in composters is still operational on all public ground transport vehicles.
Sofia metro plays an important part in the efficiency of the public transport. According to Sofia Metropoliten in 2015 87 872 613 were serviced. The average hourly rate of passengers is 30 000 and 340 000 are serviced on daily basis. The average interval for tracking route 1 is between 3:15 and 4:30 munites; route 2 takes between 6:30 and 9 minutes. In 2015 Sofia metro has 2 lines covering 39 kilometres with 34 stations. 7 new metro stations were opened in 2015. Part of the eastern direction of metrodiameter 1 – northbound Druzhba, Iskarsko Shose, Sofiyska Sveta Gora, Sofia Airport. Southbound – Aleksandar Malinov, Aleksandar Teodorov-Balan and Business Park. One more section is planned to be included in August, 2016 – line 2, James Bouchier to Srebarna, 1 km long with Vitosha station. The total length of this 1st stage of the project in line 3, which is included in Transport and transport infrastructure 2014 – 2020, would be 8 km with 8 stations. By the end of 2016 or the beginning of 2017 the second stage would take place – 4 km with 4 metro stations (from Zhitnitsa str. through Ovcha Kupel quarter to the Sofia-Pernik railway). Thus these two stages would be completed in 2019. The price of a single one-way ticket for the metro is BGN 1.
ОП“Туризъм“ Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration TRANSPORT 2015
A fleet of taxicabs, regular and fixedroute, cruise the city for the benefit of potential passengers. Relevant stats, however are unobtainable, as they are run by numerous private companies. Fixed-route taxis are mini-busses, operating only along pre-fixed routes. Unofficially, 403 fixed- route taxis appear to operate on 49 lines in the Sofia Municipality area, running to a total length of 1070 km (Source: marshrutki.com). In 2015 the number of fixed-route taxis is still 17, as in 2014. The tendency is to have this number decreased. The main reason – the expansion of the metro with new lines with not that great public transport service. Taxicab companies in the city operate round the clock. Taxicabs are in effect the only possible mode of transportation in the capital city overnight, post 11.30 PM. They may be hired at designated taxi ranks or booked by phone. The average daytime cab rate per kilometre is BGN 0.78, at night time the figure is BGN 0.91 and the price of a phone booking call is BGN 0.70. The average charge* for a taxicab drive from the city centre to the airport or from the airport to the city centre will set clients back by BGN 15. * The average transportation rate is calculated on the basis of prices asked by 5 leading taxicab companies, operating in the city. Reference source: http://sofiataxi.info/
ОП“Туризъм“ Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration ACCOMMODATION 2015 The Law on Tourism, effective as of March 26 2013, defines accommodation establishments as follows: Class A – hotels, motels, apartment tourist complexes, villa compounds, tourist compounds, villas and Class B – family-run hotels, hostels, pensions, holiday houses, guest houses, guest rooms, guest apartments, bulgallows and camping sites. Sofia has modern hotels and other types of places of accommodation. According to Sofia Tourism Administration figures there were 463 accomodation establishments in Sofia. Disposing with 10 309 rooms and 18 413 beds. As compared to 2014 the total amount of accommodation establishments has decreased by 1,3% and the beds by 6,5%.
CATEGORIZED AEs IN SOFIA MUNICIPALITY FOR 2015
Technical capacity Type of categorized Number of № accommodation establishments establsihments Number of Number of rooms beds Accomodation establishments 1. class A 111 8 020 13900
1.1. Hotels 105 7 911 13 703 1.2. Motels 3 72 143 1.3. Villa compounds 1 20 20 1.4. Tourist compounds 0 0 0 1.5. Villas 2 17 34 Accomodation establishments 2. class B 352 2 289 4513 2.1. Hostels 28 571 1 163 2.2. Holiday houses 2 47 94 2.3. Family-run hotels 64 861 1 579 2.4. Guest rooms 171 462 967 2.5. Guest houses 20 123 250 2.6. Bungalows 3 29 63 2.7. Camping sites 0 0 0 2.8. Cabins 2 11 25 2.9. Guest houses 62 185 372 Total 463 10 309 18 413
Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration
Relative share of rooms in categorized AE Class A and Class B in Sofia municipality
ОП“Туризъм“ Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration ACCOMMODATION 2015
. Relative share of rooms in categorized AE Class A and Class B Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration
In 2015 there are 111 class A establishments, mainly hotels, which accounts for 75.5% of the total number of beds in AE. Class B number of establishments is 352, mainly 1 and 2-star ones, which represent 22% of the beds in Sofia municipality TECHNICAL CAPACITY OF ACCOMMODATION ESTABLISHMENTS CLASS A AND CLASS B IN THE TERRITORY OF SOFIA MUNICIPALITY BY CATEGORY 2013 - 2015
2013 2014 2015 2015
Category 5
r of r
/201
4
Number Number establishments of Numbe rooms Number beds of Number establishments of of Number rooms Number beds of Number establishments of of Number rooms Number beds of Share establishments (%) of Share of rooms (%) Share of beds (%) the in Difference number of 201 beds
***** 9 1 462 2 416 9 1 462 2 416 9 1 462 2 416 1,94 14,18 13,12 0,00% **** 37 3 497 6 156 39 4 062 7 238 39 3 583 6 354 8,42 34,76 34,51 -13,9% *** 71 2 224 3 743 87 2 415 4 044 101 2 350 3 972 21,81 22,80 21,57 -1,8% ** 104 1 226 2 277 109 1 342 2 492 89 1 192 2 246 19,22 11,56 12,20 -10,95% * 199 1 794 3 371 225 1 707 3 417 225 1 722 3 425 48,60 16,70 18,60 0,002% Total 420 10 203 17 963 469 10 988 19 607 463 10 309 18 413 100,00 100,00 100,00 -6,5% Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration
Relative share of rooms in categorized AE in Sofia Relative share of rooms in categorized rooms in Sofia Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration
ОП“Туризъм“ Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration ACCOMMODATION 2015
The number of 1, 4 and 5-star hotels remains the same in 2015. There is a 16% increase in 3-star ones compared to 2014. 2-star ones mark a significant decrease with 25% or 20 AE less. Graphics show the relative share of AE and rooms in 2015. 49% are 1-star, 19% 2-star, almost 22% are 3-star, 8,4% are 4-star and 2% are 5-star hotels. The other graphics shows the beds, 50% of which are 4 and 5-star ones.
Number Categories Number of Number of of AE AE AE 2014 AE 2015 2013 ***** 9 9 9
**** 37 39 39
*** 71 87 101
** 104 109 89
* 199 225 225
Change in number of categorized AE in Sofia municipality by categories Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration
The next graphics shows the dynamics for 2013, 2014 and 2015 by number of rooms and beds in Sofia. The number of AE marks an increase of 16% in 2015, 2-star ones go up with 22.5% compared to 2014.
Change in number of rooms and beds by categories in Sofia municipality Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration
Compared to 2014 the number of beds in 2-star AEs decrease with 11%, in 4-star ones with 14%, in 3-star ones with 2%. So do the number of rooms - 13,4% in 4-star ones, 12,6% in 20star ones. For the 2013-2015 period there is a decrease in beds in 1-star AEs with 11%, 2-star ones with 8%, 3-star ones with 2,61%.
ОП“Туризъм“ Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration ACCOMMODATION 2015
Categorized AEs in Sofia municipality by districts for 2015
sa
District Total
Iskar
Lyulin
Izgrev
Slatina
Ilinden
Bankya
Serdica
Sredets Vitosha
Mladost
Triadit
Lozenets
Vrabnitsa
Novi Iskar Novi
Oborishte Poduyane
Nadezhda
Studentski
Krasno Selo Krasno
Pancharevo
Kremikovtsi
Ovcha Kupel Ovcha
Vazrazhdane Krasna Polyana Krasna
Number of Establish 3 26 11 50 25 5 42 11 0 3 0 31 3 41 1 12 23 6 4 4 62 22 22 50 469 ments 2014 Number of Establish 2 21 22 50 26 4 43 10 0 3 0 30 2 41 9 10 19 6 4 5 61 22 21 46 463 ments 2015
Change 2014/ -1 1 5 0 1 -1 1 -1 0 0 0 -1 -1 0 2 -2 -4 0 0 1 -1 0 -1 -4 -6 2015
Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration
The total number of AEs goes down in 2015. Most beds are in the districts of Vitosha, Triaditsa, Vazrazhdane, Oborishte, Sredets, Lozenets, Serdica and Krasno Selo – mainly in the city centre. That is almost 70% - 13% in Vitosha, 12% in Triaditsa, 10% in Vazrazhdane, 9.3% in Oborishte, 6.5% in Lozenets. The far-off regions contribute with the remaining 30%.
Number of AEs in Sofia in 2014 and 2015 by regions Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration
ОП“Туризъм“ Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration ACCOMMODATION 2015
SHARE OF AEs IN SOFIA BY DISTRICTS
Share of the
total number of accommodation Share of the Share of total № District establishments total number of number of beds (%) rooms (%) (%)
1 Lyulin 0,43 0,59 0,37 2 Serdica 6 8,76 8,95 3 Krasno Selo 5 7,59 8,36 4 Triaditsa 12 7,25 7,84 5 Mladost 5,61 7,19 6,4 6 Novi Iskar 0,86 0,23 0,19 7 Oborishte 9, 28 4,28 3,81 8 Ovcha Kupel 2,15 1,45 1,66 9 Ilinden 0 0 0 10 Iskar 0,64 1,12 1,08 11 Krasna Polyana 0 0 0 12 Lozenets 6,47 11,54 12,51 13 Nadezhda 0,43 0,07 0,14 14 Sredets 9 10,59 8,33 15 Poduyane 1,94 2,22 2,32 16 Studentski 2,16 4,8 5 17 Bankya 4,10 3,7 3,37 18 Izgrev 1,29 4,49 4,82 19 Kremikovtsi 0,86 1,17 1,39 20 Vrabnitsa 1,07 1,41 1,49 21 Vitosha 13,2 9,14 9,69 22 Pancharevo 4,8 2,21 1,89 23 Slatina 4,53 4,19 4,33 24 Vazrazhdane 10 6,01 5,96 Total: 100 100 100 Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration
Vitosha and Triaditsa districts have the biggest share of AE for 2015 - 13,2% and 12%, followed by Vazrazhdane, Oborishte and Sredets. As far as the beds are concerned, Lozenets has the biggest capacity 12,51% followed by Vitosha with almost 10%.
KEY ACCOMMODATION DEMAND INDICATORS
According to Sofia Tourism Administration 02.02.2016 the total number of persons staying overnight in accommodation facilities in the territory of Sofia Municipality in 2015 is 1 061 522 which is 94 123 persons more (or 9.72%) up on 2014.
ОП“Туризъм“ Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration ACCOMMODATION 2015
Compared to 2014 in 2015 there is a 9.37% increase in foreigners or 54 884 more have visited Sofia. Bulgarians contribute to 10.3% or 39 239 people more.
Number of people staying overnight in Sofia Municipality accommodation facilities 2013 2014 2015 Bulgarians Foreigners Total Bulgarians Foreigners Total Bulgarians Foreigners Total 364 791 535 539 902 978 381 662 585 737 967 399 420 901 640 621 1 061 522 Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration
. Relative percentage share of persons staying overnight at Sofia Municipality accommodation facilities – 2013 - 2015 Bulgarians/Foreigners
Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration
The Bulgarians/foreigners ratio remains relatively the same over the last three years. There is a slight change in 2015 – 39.6% ulgarians to 60.4% foreigners. A slight change with 0.6% in Bulgarians’ favour.
Number of people staying overnight by month 2015 Bulgarians Foreigners Total January 28 958 33 706 62 664 February 33 081 36 799 69 880 March 35 205 45 255 80 460 April 36 341 48 183 84 524 May 35 469 59 375 94 844 June 37 289 63 678 100 967 July 30 772 63 111 93 883 August 28 237 67 383 95 620 September 35 977 66 167 102 144 October 38 439 64 106 102 545 November 39 636 50 159 89 795 December 41 497 42 699 84 196 TOTAL 420 901 640 621 1 061 522 Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration Sofia is a year-round destination with no great flunctuations during the year. In 2015 the largest number of people staying overnight is in June, September and October.
ОП“Туризъм“ Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration ACCOMMODATION 2015
Number of people staying overnight at accommodation facilities in Sofia Municipality by months in 2015
Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration The number of people staying overnight is considerably larger in June, September and October than January and February – 63.6%. This difference is a prerequisite for actions towards bringing more people in the least active months.
Number of Bulgarians and foreigners staying overnight at accommodation facilities in Sofia Municipality by months in 2015
Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration
The graphics indicate two major tendencies – a gradual increase in the number of foreing visitors from March to August and a gradual decrease in the number of Bulgarians from June to August. The period of May to October saw most foreign visitors. August is the most active month for foreign visitors – being 2.4 times more than Bulgarian visitors.
ОП“Туризъм“ Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration ACCOMMODATION 2015
Top markets according to the registered foreign visitors at the AE in Sofia municipality in 2015 Difference Nationality 2014 2015 Share 2014/2015
1 Germany 46 303 50 188 7,8% 8,30% 2 Greece 42 347 44 346 6,9% 4,72% 3 Great Britain 38 292 41 224 6,4% 7,65% 4 Italy 37 068 40 484 6,3% 9,21% 5 USA 30 276 36 460 5,7% 20,42% 6 Turkey 25 334 33 364 5,2% 31,69% 7 Israel 26 723 32 220 5% 20,57% 8 France 25 124 26 384 4,1% 5% 9 Romania 24 026 25 034 3,9% 4,19% 10 Russia 20 499 18 673 2,9% -9,77% 11 Spain 15 586 14 875 2,3% -4,77% 12 Austria 15 653 14 555 2,3% -7,54% 13 Macedonia 12 625 13 922 2,20% 10,27% 14 Serbia 12 366 13 836 2,15% 11,88% 15 The Netherlands 13 518 13 433 2,01% -0,63% 16 Poland 11 785 12 816 2% 8,74% 17 Ukraine 9 273 11 652 1,8% 25,65% 18 Belgium 9 736 10 529 1,6% 8,14%
19 Japan 8 949 10 389 1,6% 16,09%
20 Hungary 9 638 10 286 1,6% 6,7% 21 Other 150 616 165 951 25,9% 10,18% Total number of foreign visitors 585 737 640 621 60,34% 9,37% TOTAL: 967 399 1 061 522 100% 9,72%
Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration
In 2015 the largest number of foreign visitors is from Germany, followed by Greece and Great Britain. Traditionally Italian guests are among the top being in forth place in 2015. The relative share of the top four is almost 30%. These four markets not only keep their positions but mark an increase compared to 2014.
The Germans who visited Sofia mark a 8.30% increase, Greeks 5%, Britains almost 8% and Italians 9.21%. it is important to point out the interest toward the destination has risen among the markets that have high standart when it comes to traveling. Then follow the USA, Turkey, Israel, France, Romania and Russia. Turkey marks the highest increase – 31.69%. there is a drastic decrease in American tourists – 20%. There is a considerable decrease in the number of Russian tourists as well – 9.77% compared to 2014. A slight 5% decrease is observed in Spanish tourists. Macedonian visitors mark a 10% increase. The change in Ukranian and Japanese tourists is interesting – an increase respectively of 26% and 16%.
ОП“Туризъм“ Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration ACCOMMODATION 2015
Number of guests registered at accommodation establishments based in Sofia municipality chart 2015
Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration
NUMBER OF OVERNIGHTS BY CLASS AND CATEGORY OF ACCOMMODATION ESTABLISHMENTS 2013 2014 2015 Num Num Num ber ber ber of of of esta esta esta blis blis blis Categ hme hme hme ory nts Overnights nts Overnights nts Overnights Bulgari Bulgari Foreigne Bulgari ans Foreigners TOTAL ans rs TOTAL ans Foreigners TOTAL CLASS A ACCOMODATION ESTABLSHMENTS
***** 9 30604 314 803 345 407 9 30 841 345 789 376 630 9 39 314 365 067 404 381 **** 36 197 881 436 165 634 046 39 207 325 475 530 682 855 39 204 076 481 469 685 545 *** 35 133 216 127 155 260 371 38 142 284 148 201 290 485 37 164 619 193 972 358 591 ** 14 56 547 20 799 77 346 15 61 834 21 453 83 287 17 76 460 19 276 95 736 * 14 39 008 26 643 65 651 12 39 638 17 259 56 897 9 41 454 17 793 59 247 TOTAL 108 457 256 925 565 1 382 821 113 481 922 1 008 232 1 490 154 111 525 923 1 077 577 1 603 500 CLASS B ACCOMODATION ESTABLSHMENTS **** 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 *** 36 22 551 23 134 45 685 49 21 048 28 060 49 108 64 27 904 36 435 64 339 ** 90 41 818 19 133 60 951 94 36 422 16 237 52 659 72 33 295 13 367 46 662 * 185 76 042 41 662 117 704 213 90 948 43 510 134 458 216 104 240 54 237 158 477 TOTAL 312 140 411 83 929 224 340 356 148 418 87 807 236 225 352 165 439 104 039 269 478 TOTAL 420 597 667 1 009 494 1 607 161 469 630 430 1 096 039 1 726 379 463 691 362 1 181 616 1 872 978
Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration
ОП“Туризъм“ Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration ACCOMMODATION 2015
In 2015 the total amount of overnights Class A and Class B is 1 872 978 or 146 599 more. This indicator shows an 8.49% increase.
Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration Most overnights can be seen at 4 and 5-star hotels – 58% of all overnights in Sofia in 2015, where the 4- star hotels lead – 37% of the overnights were made here.
Number of overnights by category in Sofia municipality for 2013-2015 Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration
5-star hotels show a 7.4% increase and 4-star ones a 0.4%. 3-star AEs show a considerable 24.54% increase with 83 337 overnights more. 4.74% more are the overnights in 2-star AEs and 13.78% at 1-star ones.
NUMBER OF OVERNIGHTS IN SOFIA BY MONTHS IN 2015
The number of overnights keeps its relative levels with some insignificant fluctuations by months.
ОП“Туризъм“ Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration ACCOMMODATION 2015
Number of reported overnights by category and months of Category accomodation facilities in Sofia Municipality 2015 January February March April May June July
***** 24 806 24 760 30 333 33392 36 270 39 303 39 063
**** 41 241 46 000 52 148 54769 65 554 68 293 59 954
*** 22 975 27 608 30 068 30977 36 004 37 851 39 321
** 7 799 10 696 11 235 12832 12 586 12 372 15 514
* 13 068 14 150 15 041 15085 16 404 17 894 19 288
TOTAL: 109 889 123 214 138 825 147055 166 818 175 713 173 140 Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration
Number of reported overnights by category and months of accomodation facilities in Sofia Municipality 2015 Category TOTAL Novembe August September October December r ***** 35 496 38 334 39 731 32 461 30 432 404 381
**** 62 101 64 755 68 524 54 839 47 367 685 545
*** 37 886 42 592 41 728 41 152 34 768 422 930
** 12 606 11 730 14 000 10 428 10 600 142 398
* 19 171 20 936 23 422 23 123 20 142 217 724
TOTAL: 167 260 178 347 187 405 162 003 143 309 1 872 978 Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration
Sofia is a typical city destination with no particular seasonality in overnights.
Number of overnights by months in 2015 Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration The difference by this indicator in the most active month (October) and the least active one (January) is 70.5%. The chart below shows the distribution of realized overnights according to the type of accommodation establishment has been stable in the last years, hotels getting the upper hand in 2015 again with 1 583 096 (or 84,52 % of the total of overnights) in the territory of Sofia.
ОП“Туризъм“ Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration ACCOMMODATION 2015
Type 2015 of accommodation establishments Number of overnights
Bulgarians Foreigners TOTAL Hotels 512 297 1 070 799 1 583 096 Motels 10 370 4 271 14 641
Villa compounds 1 806 1 147 2 953 Hostels 52 031 23 145 75 176 Family-run hotels 57 327 34 398 91 725 Guest rooms 31 163 27 749 58 912 Villas 1 450 1 360 2 810 Guest houses 9 455 8 461 17 916 Bungalows 81 0 81 Почивни бази 10 035 0 10 035 Cabins 264 0 264 Guest apartments 5 083 10 286 15 369 TOTAL: 691 362 1 181 616 1 872 978 Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration
EXPECTED TOURIST TAX REVENUE IN 2015
Sofia City Council Ordinance 65 of December 22 2011 sets the amount of due tourist tax on every single overnight according to the category of the accommodation establishment. In 2015, the amount of the tax on every single overnight remains unchanged and is as follows:
Tax rate due on every single overnight
1. Category *-star - BGN 0.40 per overnight; 2. Category **-star - BGN 0.60 per overnight; 3. Category ***-star - BGN 0.80 per overnight; 4. Category ****-star - BGN 1 per overnight; 5. Category *****-star - BGN 1.20 per overnight.
The expected revenue from due tourist tax is estimated on the basis of the number of reported overnights dependent on the differentiated tax rate by category. A 7,48% tourist tax revenue increase is expected in 2015 or 1 681 674,6 leva .
Number Expected of realized Tourist tax tourist tax Category overnights rate in 2015 revenue in 2015 (BGN) ***** 404 381 1,2 485 257,2 **** 685 545 1 685 545 *** 422 930 0,8 338 344 ** 142 398 0,6 85 438,8 * 217 724 0,4 87 089,6 ОБЩО: 1 872 978 1 681 674,6
Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration
ОП“Туризъм“ Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration ACCOMMODATION 2015
KEY INDICATORS OF TOURISM IN SOFIA 2015 – ABSOLUTE VALUES
Numb Numb Numbe Number Number er er r establ Estimated Cate ishme rooms легла realized overnights Visitors tourist gory nts tax revenue (BGN) Bulgari Bulgaria Total Foreigners Total Foreigners ans ns *** 9 1 462 2 416 404 381 39 314 485 257,20 246 644 25 152 221 492 485 257,20 ** *** 39 3 583 6 354 685 545 204 076 685 545,00 375 471 129 234 246 237 685 545,00 * *** 101 2 350 3972 422 930 192 523 338 344,00 239 855 125 305 114 550 338 344,00
** 89 1 192 2 246 142 398 109 755 85 438,80 73 748 56 911 16 837 85 438,80
* 225 1 722 3 425 217 724 145 694 87 089,60 125 804 84 299 41 505 87 089,60 Tota 463 10 309 18 413 1 872 978 691 362 1 681 674,6 1 061 522 420 901 640 621 1 681 674,6 l: Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration KEY INDICATORS OF TOURISM IN SOFIA 2015 – RELATIVE SHARE %
Numbe Number Number Estimated Numbe Categ r of Number tourist r of realized overnights Visitors ory establis легла tax rooms Bulgari Foreigne Bulgaria hments Total Total Foreigners revenue ans rs ns ***** 1,94% 14,18% 13,12% 21,59% 5,69% 30,90% 23,23% 5,98% 34,57% 28,86% **** 8,42% 34,76% 34,51% 36,60% 29,52% 40,75% 35,37% 30,70% 38,44% 40,77% *** 21,81% 22,80% 21,57% 22,58% 27,85% 19,50% 22,60% 29,77% 17,88% 20,12% ** 19,22% 11,56% 12,20% 7,60% 15,88% 2,76% 6,95% 13,52% 2,63% 5,08% * 48,60% 16,70% 18,60% 11,62% 21,07% 6,10% 11,85% 20,03% 6,48% 5,18% Total: 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration
The estimated revenue from overnights at AEs in Sofia in 2015 is 1 681 674 leva. The highest share in revenue from realized overnights is expected from the 4-star and 5-star hotels, respectively 40.77% and 28.86%.
NUMBER OF OVERNIGHT STAYS BY BULGARIANS AND FOREIGN NATIONALS AT ACCOMMODATION ESTABLISHMENTS – SOFIA MUNICIPALITY 2013 - 2015 Number of Reported overnights in the AE of Sofia Municipality 2013 2014 2015 Bulgarian Foreigner Bulgarian Foreigner Bulgarian TOTAL TOTAL Foreigners TOTAL s s s s s 1 607 1 726 597 667 1 009 494 630 340 1 096 039 691 362 1 181 616 1 872 978 161 379 Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration
As the table shows the ration of realized overnights by Bulgarians and foreigners in Sofia has remained the same over the last three years. In 2013 it is 41% : 59%; in 2014 - 39 % : 61% and in 2015 - 39,6% : 60,4%. The increase of the total amount of overnights in Sofia in 2015 compared to 2014 is 8,49%
ОП“Туризъм“ Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration ACCOMMODATION 2015
TOP 20 FOREIGN MARKETS ACCORDING THE NUMBER OF REPORTED OVERNIGHTS IN THE ACCOMMODATION ESTABLISHMENTS IN THE TERRITORY OF SOFIA MUNICIPALITY 2015
Share Share Difference Nationality 2014 2015 2014 2015 2014/2015
1 Germany 81707 7,54% 87 003 7,30% 6,48% 2 Italy 73 452 6,70% 78 681 6,65% 7,11%
3 Great Britain 71 051 6,48% 76 792 6,49% 8,08% 4 Greece 76 388 6,97% 76 381 6,46% 1,07% 5 USA 58 188 5,31% 73 388 6,20% 26,12% 6 Israel 56 357 5,14% 68 791 6,80% 22,05% 7 Turkey 40 599 3,70% 49 632 4,20% 22,24% 8 France 48 101 4,39% 49 022 4,14% 1,91% 9 Romania 42 509 3,88% 44 017 3,70% 3,54% 10 Russia 44 642 4,07% 39 281 3,30% -13,64% 11 Spain 31 113 2,84% 28 833 2,44% -7,9% 12 The Netherlands 25 535 2,33% 24 319 2,05% -5% 13 Poland 23 099 2,11% 24 106 2,04% 4,35%
14 Serbia 20 838 1,90% 22 748 1,93% 9,16% 15 Macedonia 20 652 1,88% 22 493 1,90% 8,91% 16 Austria 23 185 2,12% 22 080 1,87% -5% 17 Ukraine 18 254 1,67% 21 185 1,79% 16,05% 18 Belgium 17 604 1,61% 18 785 1,58% 6,7% 19 Japan 15 602 1,42% 17 977 1,52% 15,22% 20 China 15 757 1,44% 17 428 1,47% 10,60% Others 291 406 26,59% 318 674 26,90% 9,36% Total 1 096 039 100% 1 181 616 100% 7,80% Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration
In 2015 EU countries continue to be the most important market for international tourism for Bulgaria and Sofia. EU citizens account for 55% of the realized overnights, whereas other European citizens 8% and the rest of the world – 36%.
In 2015, the greatest number of overnights were realized by German citizens – 87 003 or 7.3%. Next in the following four positions, in a descending line, are Italy, Great Britain, Greece and USA, who, between them, account for 25.80% of foreign overnights.
The biggest increase against 2014 is visible in the number of overnights realized by American tourists (26.12%), Turkish (22.24%) and Israeli tourists (22.05%). A considerable increase is observed in visitors from Ukraine – 16.05%. Italy is the forth market by number of guests but second when it comes to realized overnights - 6,65%.
ОП“Туризъм“ Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration ACCOMMODATION 2015
The average duration of tourist sojourn in Sofia is 1.74 days; 1.64 days for Bulgarian guests and 1.84 days for foreign visitors. The change on 2014 is toward a slight decrease.
The average duration of tourist sojourn in Sofia by Bulgarians and foreigners Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration
By this indicator leaders are Russia – 2.34 days; Spain – 2 days; the Netherlands – 1.9 days; Poland – 1.77 days; Israel – 1.74 days. The guests from market number 1, Germany, have realized 1.61 days. Balkan guests have shorter average stay: Macedonia – 1.5 days; Serbia – 1.5 days; Greece – 1.7 days. Market number 2, Italy, has realized 1.8 days. Austria and Belgium have respectively 1.6 and 1.67 days.
OCCUPANCY RATES OF ACCOMODATION ESTABLISHMENTS IN SOFIA
The occupancy rates of accomodation facilities are a dynamic quantity which has its monthly fluctuations. It is a major indicator of the effectiveness of hotel keeping, reflecting the scope of the actual usability of the available accomodation capacities. This section presents the average monthly and average annual bed occupancy rates, calculated on the basis of declared number of realized overnight stays and number of beds.
Bed occupancy rates – Sofia Municipality accommodation facilities, by months 2013 and 2015 Difference 2015 2014/2015 2014 (%) (%) (%) January 17,12 19,25 2,13 February 20,19 23,89 3,7 March 23,17 24,32 1,15 April 23,84 26,62 2,78 May 27,44 29,22 1,78 June 26,64 31,80 5,16 July 24,38 30,33 5,95 August 25,68 29,3 3,62 September 27,01 32,3 5,29 October 27,88 33 5,12 November 25,89 29,3 3,41 December 20,15 25,1 4,95 Annual average 24,12 27,86 3,74 Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration
ОП“Туризъм“ Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration ACCOMMODATION 2015
More efforts should be put in advertising Sofia as a tourist destination, as well as supply of high quality diversified tourist product. Among the factors that lead to higher bed occupancy are the quality of supply and professional management.
Bed occupancy rates in Sofia by months 2014 and 2015 (%) Average annual bed occupancy rates in Sofia for 2015
Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration
The monthly fluctuations in bed occupancy mark the high occupancy from May to October 2015 and a drop in December and January. The graphics clearly indicates the higher bed occupancy in 2015 compared to 2014. Average annual bed occupancy rates of accommodation establishment category for 2013 ,2014 and 2015
Average annual Category ***** **** *** ** * occupancy
2013 (%) 39,17% 27,99% 22,40% 16,80% 14,57% 24,37%
2014 (%) 42,71% 25,85% 23,01% 14,95% 15,34% 24,12%
2015 (%) 46,49% 29,96% 29,58% 17,61% 17,66% 28,26%
Difference 3,78% 4,11% 6,57% 2,66% 2,32% 4,14% 2014/2015 Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration
As in the former 2013 and 2014, 2015 has the highest bed occupancy in 5-star hotels and the lowest in 1 and 2-star AEs. 2015 marks an increase in all categories AEs.
Average annual bed occupancy rates in Sofia by categories – 2013, 2014 and 2015 Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration
ОП“Туризъм“ Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration ACCOMMODATION 2015 . SOFIA’S POSITION IN TOURISM IN BULGARIA
According to NSI figures for 2015 4.1% of accommodation establishments and 3.9% of bed facilities in Bulgaria are located in Sofia. Sofia’s share in the number of overnights is 1.5% of the total of overnights realized across the country, while the share of persons staying overnight is 14.6% (9.78% Bulgarians and 20.31% foreigners).
The average length of stay in the capital is 1.75 days, while the general figure for the country is 3.4 days. The average annual bed occupancy rate in the capital is 35.8%, being 18.4% for the country. Sofia is ahead of the average levels of realized overnights in 2015 compared to 2014 (Sofia an increase of 5.28%, Bulgaria a negative one of 1.38%) and by number of people staying overnight (Sofia an increase of 6.65% and Bulgaria an increase of 5.6%).
Share in Indicator Bulgaria Sofia national total % Number of establishments 3 202 131 4,09 Number of beds 322 465 12 453 3,86 Number of overnight stays 21 397 816 1 605 179 7,5 Bulgarians 8 045 535 539 257 6,7 Foreigners 13 352 281 1 065 922 7,98 Number of overnight guests 6 279 036 915 815 14,58 Bulgarians 3 414 665 333 935 9,78 Foreigners 2 864 371 581 880 20,31 Average stay (days) 3,4 1,75 - Bed occupancy (%) 18,4 35,8 - Average 1 overnight income 48,3 лв. 72,1 лв. - average 1 person staying 164,5 лв. 126,38 лв. - overnight income Average 1 bed income 3 205 лв. 9 294,7 лв. - Overnights revenue (BGN) 1 033 528 367 115 747 676 11,2
Reference Source:NSI *data only from NSI has been used
Sofia is 3rd by overnights revenue (88 000 000) after Burgas (300 000 000) and Varna (197 000 000). 4th place by districts by gross bed occupancy (38%) after Dobrich (49,9%), Burgas (49,1%) and Varna (39,9%) 5th place by regions by number of beds after Burgas, Varna, Blagoevgrad and Dobrich.
ОП“Туризъм“ Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration CATERING AND ENTERTAINMENT ESTABLISHMENTS 2015
CATERING AND ENTERTAINMENT ESTABLISHMENTS IN SOFIA MUNICIPALITY FOR 2015 2015 Капацитет Types of Number of Number of establishments Number % seats seats
(indoor) (outdoor) TOTAL Restaurants 1 213 21,54 81 768 42 166 123 934
Fast food 1 482 26,32 51 699 31 795 83 494
Café aperitifs, 1 136 20,2 29 928 17 774 47 702 pubs, etc. Coffee and sweet 1 323 23,5 35 629 17 784 53 413 shops Bars 476 8,45 27 260 6 545 33 805
TOTAL 5 630 100 226 284 116 064 342 348
Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration
By the end of 2015 there were 5 630 registered and categorized catering and entertainment establishments in Sofia, 1 213 of them restaurants, 1 482 fast food outlets, 1 136 aperitifs and pubs, 1 323 coffee and sweet shops, and 476 bars.
The technical capacity of catering and entertainment establishments in Sofia Municipality includes a total of 342 348 seats and in 2015 indoor establishments lead by 2:1 to outdoor ones (66.01%:33.9%). The graphics show the share of CEE by categories in Sofia. Most are the fast food ones (26%), then follow the coffee and sweet shops (23.5%) and this tendency has been the same over the last years. The restaurants have a 22% share.
Number of CEE in the territory of Sofia Municipality, 2015 Share of CEE in the territory of Sofia Municipality by types, 2015 Fast food outlets; coffee and sweet shops; aperitifs and pubs; restaurants;bars.
Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration
ОП“Туризъм“ Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration CATERING AND ENTERTAINMENT ESTABLISHMENTS 2015 Categorized by the mayor of Sofia municipality CEE in Sofia by districts 31.12.2015
CAFÉ COFFEE RESTA APERIT Total Total FAST AND № District URANT IFS, Bars number number Outdoor Indoor FOOD SWEET S PUBS, of CEE of seats SHOPS ETC. 1 Lyulin 40 58 56 98 8 260 15 091 6 179 8 912 2 Serdica 34 48 56 48 9 195 8 071 2 461 5 610 3 Krasno Selo 64 79 83 111 26 363 18 710 6 513 12 197 4 Triaditsa 92 147 96 120 47 502 33 131 10 746 22 385 5 Mladost 62 136 63 90 19 370 26 189 9 932 16 257 6 Novi Iskar 7 7 29 11 3 57 2 459 1 177 1 282 7 Oborishte 100 89 57 90 37 373 20 671 5 697 14 974 8 Ovcha Kupel 29 37 49 37 8 160 8 495 3 619 4 876 9 Ilinden 22 30 23 20 3 98 6 002 2 668 3 334 10 Iskar 30 61 31 46 10 178 9 725 3 453 6 272 Krasna 11 Polyana 11 21 27 28 2 89 3 514 1 337 2 177 12 Lozenets 110 66 40 70 43 329 21 322 6 226 15 096 13 Nadezhda 23 62 38 33 3 159 8 351 3 446 4 905 14 Sredets 121 128 79 85 101 514 37 756 10 601 27 155 15 Подуене 26 48 60 64 6 204 8 931 3 182 5 749 16 Studentski 63 96 48 59 32 298 26 910 9 618 17 292 17 Bankya 16 14 20 7 5 62 3 385 1 388 1 997 18 Izgrev 41 28 20 26 12 127 8 886 2 913 5 973 19 Kremikovtsi 16 23 24 16 1 80 3 634 1 239 2 395 20 Vrabnitsa 23 16 27 30 4 100 5 287 1 908 3 379 21 Vitosha 107 93 62 66 39 367 23 711 8 612 15 099 22 Pancharevo 49 24 35 21 6 135 8 318 3 897 4 421 23 Slatina 53 63 56 72 22 266 15 207 4 987 10 220 24 Vazrazhdane 74 108 57 75 30 344 18 592 4 265 14 327 Total 1 213 1 482 1 136 1 323 476 5 630 342 348 116 064 226 284 Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration Most CEEs can be seen in the city centre’s districts: Sredets – 514; Triaditsa – 502; Oborishte – 373; Lozenets – 329 and Vitosha 367.
ОП“Туризъм“ Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration CATERING AND ENTERTAINMENT ESTABLISHMENTS 2015 Distributions of CEEs by type and category with technical capacity (indoors and outdoors) for 2013-2015 in Sofia
2013 2014 2015 Number Number Number of of of establish establish establish ments Capacity ments Capacity ments Capacity
Seats Seats Seats Seats Seats Categ (indo (outd TOTA Seats (outdo TOTA (indo (outd TOTA ory or) oor) L (indoor) or) L or) oor) L RESTAURANTS ***** 13 1 064 499 1 563 13 1 064 499 1 563 13 1 064 499 1 563 **** 18 1 434 255 1 689 18 1 434 255 1 689 18 1 434 255 1 689 *** 71 6 029 2 237 8 266 74 6 359 2 387 8 746 75 6 529 2 517 9 046 22 32 34 23 35 ** 290 015 10 499 514 357 23 463 11 011 474 299 990 11 872 862 41 62 71 54 83 * 695 071 21 437 508 862 46 612 25 249 861 885 193 29 333 526 TOTA 71 34 106 118 87 44 131 L 1087 613 927 540 1324 78 932 39 401 333 1290 210 476 686 FAST FOOD ***** 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 **** 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 *** 14 625 296 921 14 625 296 921 14 625 296 921 15 15 14 ** 163 8 614 6 649 263 190 8 885 6 969 854 146 8 094 6 197 291 38 62 67 46 73 * 1231 823 23 414 237 1 497 42 912 25 130 042 1 403 456 27 014 470 TOTA 48 30 78 83 55 33 88 L 1408 062 359 421 1 701 51 422 32 395 817 1 563 175 507 682 CAFÉ APERITIFS, PUBS, ETC. ***** 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 **** 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 *** 2 153 0 153 2 153 0 153 2 153 0 153 ** 67 3 465 1 730 5 195 84 3 615 1 930 5 545 61 3 299 1 790 5 089 26 40 43 28 45 * 1054 109 14 380 489 1 338 27 259 15 827 086 1 124 215 16 891 106 TOTA 29 16 45 48 31 18 50 L 1123 727 110 837 1 424 30 027 17 757 784 1 187 667 681 348 COFFEE AND SWEET SHOPS ***** 1 20 0 20 1 20 0 20 1 20 0 20 **** 4 211 244 455 4 211 244 455 4 211 244 455 *** 2 83 0 83 2 83 0 83 2 83 0 83 10 ** 130 5 675 3 138 8 813 164 6 058 3 574 9 632 134 6 214 3 903 117 28 41 43 30 45 * 1188 735 13 006 741 1373 29 435 13 654 089 1 242 813 14 647 460 TOTA 34 16 51 53 37 18 56 L 1325 724 388 112 1 544 35 807 17 472 279 1 383 341 794 135 BARS ***** 13 875 57 932 13 875 57 932 13 875 57 932 1 1 **** 26 085 85 1 170 26 1 085 85 1 170 26 085 85 1 170 2 3 *** 65 867 391 3 258 67 3 337 421 3 758 67 337 421 3 758 10 11 11 11 12 ** 114 395 710 105 132 11 008 699 707 123 474 887 361 9 14 15 11 16 * 224 457 4 774 231 251 10 478 4 939 417 263 299 5 490 789 TOTA 24 30 32 28 35 L 442 679 6 017 696 489 26 783 6 201 984 492 070 6 940 010 TOTA 5 385 208 103 312 6 482 223 113 337 5 915 239 122 361 L 805 801 606 971 226 197 463 398 861
ОП“Туризъм“ Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration CATERING AND ENTERTAINMENT ESTABLISHMENTS 2015
*Statistics of the number of CEEs and their capacity may vary due to the dynamics of the process and the different dates the information was gathered
The table shows the dynamics in the number of CEEs and seats in Sofia for 2014-2015 with an increase respectively of 3.4% and 7.4%. for 2013-2015 there is an increase in all categories of CEEs: restaurants – 16% ; fast food outlets – 11%; coffee and sweet shops – 4.5%; bars for May – 11.3%. the increasing number of CEEs and seats is an indicator for the growing demand and the functioning of the establishments, since in the field of economics the demand sets the supply and occupancy secures the survival of these establishments.
Technical capacity of CEEs in Sofia for 2015 by types bars; coffee and sweet shops; aperitifs and pubs; Fast food outlets; restaurants total; outdoors; indoors
Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration
All CEEs have indoor seats with restaurants leading by number of seats followed by the fast food.
PRICES OF SOME COMMODITIES AND TOURIST SERVICES
The Bulgarian capital Sofia offers a broad range of tourist services and products. Over recent years, the co- relation between price and quality compared to most European cities has been on an adequately competitive level. This is a serious advantage in terms of attracting an increasing tourist flow.
ОП“Туризъм“ Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration PRICES OF SOME COMMODITIES AND TOURIST SERVICES 2015 Average prices of some commodities and tourist services in some European capitals in 2015 (Euro)
Sofia Belgrade Budapest Bucharest Warsaw Zagreb Istanbul Ljubljana Prague Skopje Athens Tirana
One - course lunch/dinner in a standard 5,11 4,89 4,75 5,56 5 6 4,46 7 4,44 3,25 10 5,78 restaurant Three – course lunch/dinner for two in a 20,44 21,58 25,35 22,23 22,73 26,67 17,84 30 22,2 19,5 35 18,07 medium-priced restaurant
Big Mac Menu 4,09 4,07 4,75 4,01 3,84 4,68 4,46 5 4,44 3,25 6 3,61
Local beer 0.5 l 1,02 1,3 1,24 1,34 1,8 1,81 2,53 2,5 1,26 1,62 3,5 0,72
Imported beer 0,5 l 1,53 1,63 3 1,78 1,82 2 2,97 1,48 4 1,16
Cappuccino 1,05 1,23 1,24 1,67 1,95 1,37 2,1 1,43 1,65 1,25 2,97 1,06
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 l/bottle) 0,79 1,21 2 1,2 0,83 1,73 0,73 1,97 1,09 1,32 1,34 0,72
Mineral water (0.33 l/bottle) 0,48 0,72 0,54 0,95 0,64 1,16 0,26 1,46 0,81 0,64 0,5 0,4
Pack of cigarettes 2,66 2,12 3,42 3,33 3,41 3,33 2,97 3,33 4 2,17
One-way ticket for the public transport 0,51 0,72 1,11 0,33 0,99 1,34 0,68 1,2 0,89 0,57 1,2 0,22
One-month transport pass 25,55 26,47 30,11 13,34 5,01 48 50,54 37 20,35 21,1 30 8,68
Taxi service – 1 km 0,4 0,56 0,89 0,31 0,5 0,8 0,59 0,89 0,93 0,41 0,7 1,81 Refference source: www.numbeo.com/cost -of-living/
Prices in some European capitals in 2015 (Еuro) Big Mac Menu; Local beer 0.5 l; Cappuccino; Mineral water (0.33 l/bottle); One-way ticket for the public transport; Taxi service – 1 km Refference source: www.numbeo.com/cost -of-living/
ОП“Туризъм“ Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration PRICES OF SOME COMMODITIES AND TOURIST SERVICES 2015
The Backpacker Index gives a general idea of the minimum tourist expenditures, aiming assist tourists in finding the most advantageous destination from their point of view. It includes total cost for a group of essential services for the traveller in a particular destination. 56 European destinations are included in the chart of highest to lowest price. Although the prices shown are based on a potential tourist trip with limited budget, they can serve as a clear guide for more financially comfortable travellers.
Във всяка дестинация този ежедневен “пакет” включва: *Нощувка в добър и евтин хостел *Три хранения в обикновен евтин ресторант *Два билета за градски транспорт *Посещение на културна атракция( музей, галерия) *Три евтини бири или кафета
Backpacker index for European capitals with lowest prices 2015 in euro Kiev, Bucharest, Sofia, Belgrade, Sarajevo, Budapest, Warsaw, Zagreb, Vilnus, Riga, Bratislava Refference source: www.priceoftravel.com/1979/european-backpacker-index
According to this index in 2014 and 2015 Sofia was third among the European capitals, offering the lowest prices for a one-day budget stay placing Sofia after Kiev and Bucharest. Among the most expensive one- day packets is London - 82,55 euro; Paris – 70,95 euro; Helsinki – 87, 95 euro; Brussels - 69,60 euro; Rome - 66,2 euro; Vienna – 64,30 euro, Berlin - 54,7 euro.
AVERAGE PRICES FOR OVERNIGHT IN HOTEL IN SOME EUROPEAN CAPITALS
The hotel price index of trivago.bg (tHPI - trivago Hotel Price Index) shows the average overnight price for a standard double room in the most searched European destinations. Trivago uses data from 4 million price offers daily and 1 billion offers for accommodation that are generated in the search engine. The price offers are received from the hundreds of tourist agencies and hotel portals connected to the search engine. The table shows a juxtapositionof the average prices for a hotel room in some of the most searched European destinations. Sofia is with the lowest one.
ОП“Туризъм“ Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration PRICES OF SOME COMMODITIES AND TOURIST SERVICES 2015
Single overnight average stay in some European capitals 2014 (euro) Sofia, Bucharest, Warsaw, Riga Budapest, Dublin, Prague, Berlin, Istanbul,Athens, Madrid, Lisbon, Brussels, Vienna, Rome, Oslo, Edinburgh, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Paris, London Refference source: trivago.bg, Hotel Price Index for Bulgaria 2015 г. According to the index among 50 European destinations Sofia offers the lowest average rates for a standart hotel room (108 lv.), followed by Bucharest (127 lv.), Warsaw ( 133,4 lv.) and the highest ones being London (457,41 lv.), Paris (350,75 lv.) and Amsterdam (333,66 lv.)
Average single overnight price in leading Bulgarian destinations (leva)
Sunny Beach, Velingrad, Sofia, Golden Sands, Nesebar, Burgas, Sveti Vlas, Ruse, Pamporovo, Varna, Bansko, Plovdiv, Veliko Tarnovo Refference source: trivago.bg, Hotel Price Index for Bulgaria 2015 г.
According to the index among the leading Bulgarian destinations Sofia shares the 1st place with Velingrad (108 lv) and has higher prices than some of our most popular sea resorts: Sunny Beach – 104; Nesebar – 101; or some winter ones: Bansko – 89; Pamporovo – 91; or some other large towns in Bulgaria: Burgas – 100; Varna – 90; Plovdiv – 86.
ОП“Туризъм“ Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration MORE ABOUT SOFIA 2015
The capital of Bulgaria – Sofia – is the biggest town in the country. A flight to Sofia from London or Moscow is approximately 3 hours, from Paris or Berlin – 2 hours and only one hour from our neighbouring capitals Athens, Bucharest and Belgrade. The modern city has unique ancient temples and ruins from antiquity. The thousands of years of history, the cultural, sport and business events, the wonderful opportunities for conferences turn the city into a much-preferred tourist destination. In 2014 Sofia received two big awards: “UNESCO’s “Creative City of Film” and European capital of sport 2018.
HISTORY
Blessed to carry one of the names of God’s Wisdom the Bulgarian capital is one of the oldest settlements in the European continent. This is a city with 8 centuries of history, established near hot healing mineral springs at the crossroad of Western Europe, Asia Minor and the Middle East. Through its rich historical and cultural heritage the city tells the history of Europe from neolitic times to present day. Being an administrative and spiritual centre of great importance where cultural tolerance is remarkable, throughout time Sofia has had different names – Serdika, Sredets, Triaditsa and Sofia. Each new historical layer is built without destroying the previous ones. As early as 1 century BC Sofia is part of Europe’s map – this is the ancient Tracian city of the Serdi tribe that later the Romans document as Serdika. From 1 century the city is part of the Roman Empire and flourishes as centre of Dacia Inferior. Fortress walls and towers, administrative buildings and temples, are being built, and the city’s termal springs are famous throughout the Roman Empire. In Serdika reside many Roman emperors but two of them have a strong connection with the city. Emperor Galerius, who in 311 issued the “Edict of religious tolerance” and stopped the persecutions against the Christians for the first time in the history of the Roman Empire, is the first. The famous words “Serdika is my Rome” of emperor Constantine the Great reveal his relation to the city. Serdika is a great event centre, as well – the Serdika oecumenical council takes place here in 343. During the time of “the great settlement”, 5 – 6 AD, despite the numerous invasions of huns and goths that lead to devastations of the city, Serdika revives as an important administrative and economic centre of the Eastern Roman Empire. In 809 the city is already part of the Bulgarian state, carrying the name Sredets. In 1018 the city receives its third name, as part of the Eastern Roman Empire – Triaditsa – translated “among the mountains”. In 1393, after the liberation from the Roman Empire and during Bulgaria’s fall under Ottoman rule, Sredets flourishes. Many Christians temples are being built, such as the Boyana church, part of the UNESCO heritage, many exquisite public buildings are built, as well. It is believed that the last change of the name happened in 14 AD, when the city was named after St. Sophia Basilica, at the time being a bishop’s residence. In 1318 for the first time Sofia’s name was mentioned in a gift deed by Tsar Ivan Shishman for the Dragalevtsi monastery.
ОП“Туризъм“ Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration MORE ABOUT SOFIA 2015
Since 1382, when the city fell under Ottoman rule, its outlook changed completely – the Christian temples were turned into mosques and Sofia’s silhouette was full of domes and minarets. The structure plan was based on neighbourhoods formed under ethnic principle. Until the Liberation Sofia’s centre is the square before the Mineral Bathhouse and Bania Bashi mosque, built in 15 AD by the most prominent architect in the history of Ottoman architecture – Mimar Sinan. During the Ottoman rule Sofia is a craft and trade centre, as well. The economic prosperity of the local population makes it possible for a ring of temples around the city to be built – upholders of Bulgarian faith and an important spiritual and enlightenment centre. On January 4, 1878 Sofia is liberated from Ottoman rule and the following year, on April 3 1879 is proclaimed as capital of Bulgaria. The city slowly gains European outlook. Streets are paved, schools, gardens and administrative buildings are built. A system of sewers is built, as well as telegraphs and telephones. During the 30s and the time of Boris III Sofia is a modern capital but durung the Second World War is partly destroyed by Allied bombers. After September 9, 1944 the city changes its outlook again in accordance with the political changes. On September 15, 1946 Bulgaria is a country of the People and in the already socialist capital Sofia, in the city centre, Nezavisimost “Independence” square and the massive stone compound the Largo – today known as the “triangle of power” headquarters of the President’s residence, the Council of Ministers and the Parliament commission, once the Residence of the Party – were built. The National Palace of Culture was built honouring 1300 years of the founding of Bulgaria. The last political change in Bulgaria took place on November 10, 1989, when the road to democracy and free-market economy was paved, which again changed the outlook of the city. Today Sofia is a dynamically evolving European city with a conctantly modernizing infrastructure - here the energetic contemporary rhythm, the 8 millenias of history and the free spirit of Bulgaria meet.
CULTURE Sofia has rich and diverse cultural heritage that lives in harmony with contemporary life. Besides this the Bulgarian capital is home of the art. As a City of Film it is one of the creative cities of UNESCO and welcomes many world famous actors. In 2015 Sofia marked its 100th jubilee for home cinema. Besides the history and tradition of movie making Sofia throbs with a rich and dynamic contemporary culture life. The Bulgarian capital is a European Capital of Sport 2018 and sets an example on developing mass sport and investments in the green and healthy way of life. The culture calendar of the city offers numerous well recognized and up-coming international festivals and cultural events, geared to generate growing interest from the Bulgarian and foreign public. In 2015 Sofia hosted many significant cultural events among which was the Eurovision child song competition. Many world-famous performers had their concerts here, such as Julio Iglesias, Eros Ramazzotti. Concerts and spectacles that performed the music of The Godfather and Lord of the Rings visited Sofia for the first time. Whitesnake and One Republic gathered their fans in Sofia as well.
ОП“Туризъм“ Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration MORE ABOUT SOFIA 2015
The biggest festivals in the country take place in Sofia on regular basis. The film festivals - Sofia Film Fest (March), Golden Kuker (May), Sofia Independent Film Festival (October), Kinomania (November). Music and dance festivals – Antistatic (April), A to Jazz festival (June), open air opera festival (July), Art of Baroque (October-November), ”Young Musical Talents” International Festival (November). Contemporary art, fun and way of live festivals - Salon of the Arts (May), Sofia Poetics (May), Water Tower Art fest (June), Sofia Breethes (August), Sofia Puppet Fair (September), ON! Fest (September), International Sofia Book Fair, International Sofia Literature Fair (December) and Sofia Science Festival.
In 2015 our capital was proud to add two more attractions. On the day of Sofia, Sofia History Museum opened its doors. By the end of the year the largest child and science centre in Eastern Europe Muzeiko was opened. Following the culture pulse of the capital by the end of 2015 Sofia Tech Park – the first science and technology park in Bulgaria – opened its doors to connect science, business and technology. In unison with EU’s policy, where innovations lead, a new Strategy for Smart Specialization of the Economy of Sofia 2016-2020 was devised. The strategy included two main directions – the development of new technologies in the creative and re-creative industries and production and distribution of films in south-east Europe, thus strengthening Sofia’s position as a regional capital of the new digital market. Sofia aimed at the economic and public development and set course toward developing the successful destinations in Bulgaria. Structure by nationality Age structure Number of visitors of cultural institutions for Children Bulgari Foreigner 2015 TOTAL and students adults ans s pupils 1 National Museum of History 171 516 55 461 19 760 25 174 5 355 24 932 2 Boyana Church 49 692 12 245 32 974 2 979 2 085 7 181 3 National Art Gallery ------
4 Crypt at St Alexander Nevsky Cathedral - - - - - 5 Museum of Socialist Art 3 958 - - 1 793 - 2 165 6 National Military History Museum 112 890 8 070 - - - 7 The Archeological level of St Sophia Basilica 26 811 - - 4 293 2 410 20 108 8 Knyaz Alexander Batemberg Tomb 4 691 - - 1 019 1 019 2 654 9 Vrana park museum ------10 National Polytechnic Museum 13 615 13 471 144 6 139 1 915 3 985 11 Sofia History Museum 41 911 - - - - - 12 National Museum of Natural History 51 572 47 864 3 708 32 553 - 19 019 13 National Archaeological Institute with Museum BAS 27 481 17 735 9 746 1 800 4 230 21 451 14 National Anthropological museum BAS 11 878 8 693 3 185 3 621 1 824 3 248 Institute of Etnology Folklore with Ethnographical 15 14 916 12 126 2 790 7 170 1 100 9 436 Museum
Общо 530 931 167 595 80 377 86 541 19 938 114 179 Refference source: Sofia museums
ОП“Туризъм“ Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration MORE ABOUT SOFIA 2015
It has to be noted that the museums have different systems for counting the number of visitors, and most of them have free-pass days, when visitors are not counted. As a consequence, the true number of visitors is much higher than the figures in the table. Compared to 2014 there is a significant decrease in the number of visitors by 18.3% or 97 255 people. The National Academy of Art is not included in the statistics with its new exposition in Square 500, which was exhibited in late May 2015. Most visited is the National History Museum. Second comes the National Military History Museum with 27% more visitors that in 2014. The National History Museum has welcomed 58 626 guests more which almost 52% more than the second in the chart. Its statistics shows the endless interest toward the national places of holiness – 32% of the visitors are Bulgarians, 56% of the guests have used the free of charge entrance, substantial part of which were Bulgarians. The interest toward the new Sofia History Museum is significant – despite the short reported period (just the last three months of 2015) the guests were 41 911.
NATURE – GREEN SOFIA Sofia is embraced by three mountains – Vitosha to the south, Lyulin to the west and and the Balkan Range to the north, Sofia can boast of a unique location, generous nature and diverse scenery. Very close to the city (15 minutes’ drive) is Vitosha Nature Park offering opportunities for paragliding, skiing, snowboarding, ice and rock climbing, alpinism and many more extreme sports during the four seasons. The fans of flora would find here rare and protected plants and animals and over 200 bird species. In the green system of the city most emblematic are The City Garden Park, the Borisova Gradina Park, the Doctors’ Garden and the South Park and two out of the four in Bulgaria botanical gardens. Vrana Park lies within the limits of Sofia Municipality - formerly a royal residence and a monument to gardening.
Green Sofia is proud of its 95 centuries-old trees. These are trees mainly from the summer oak species (Quercus robur L.) and (Quercus frainetto Ten.). The oldest tree is 500 years old – an oak (Slaveykov’s oak) and is located in Lozenets district, close to Sveti Naum blvd, and the biggest girt (447) has the summer oak (Quercus robur L.) at Ariana Lake in Borisova Gradina park.
SOFIA – EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF SPORT 2018
Sofia works sustainably for the European City of Sport 2018 title. The sport and healthy way of life are among the priorities for the people of Sofia. In 2015 Sofia municipality invested 5.5 million leva in sports infrastructure. The Bulgarian capital has build 23 fitness grounds and facilities for free-of-charge outdoor sports.
ОП“Туризъм“ Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration MORE ABOUT SOFIA 2015
75% of the youngsters in Sofia are occupied in the area of sport. 2015 saw 158 sports events and the city has 166 saloons, 60 swmming pools, 238 saloons and 12 swimming pools in schools. In October Arena Armeec Sports Hall hasted the 29th European Men’s Volleyball Championship. Sofia has many sports facilities, for popular, as well as for professional sport – 6 stadiums, 6 sports halls, 6 swimming centres, rowing and horse-riding facilities, ice rinks and a cycling track. Numerous sporting activities and sports clubs are based in Sofia, most popular among them being Levsky, CSKA, Lokomotiv and Slavia Football Clubs. Vitosha mountain offers opportunities for sport and leisure throughout the whole year.
DISCOVER SOFIA FREE WALKING TOUR
Discover Sofia Free Walking Tour has been organized since 2010 and is part of the efforts of Sofia municipality to stimulate and develop tourism. It is organized each Wednesday and Saturday from 10.30 to 12.30 with a guide in Bulgarian. So far the tours have included 4 500 people from various ends of the country and of various age, as well as many visitors of Sofia. The tour is organized by Sofia Tourism Administration partnering with Bulgaria Guides Association. To promote the cultural and historical heritage in downtown Sofia, Sofia Municipality and its Tourist Services Municipal Enterprise, have been organizing and conducting a free walking tour for Sofia residents and guests. Cultural and historical sites as well as government institutions are presented and promoted via infotainment, instructive and educational lectures, conducted by professional guides. The route of the free walking tour runs through 25 cultural and historical sites in the centre of the city, highlighting its 8000-year old history, which tells the story of Europe, too. The guided lectures are given in Bulgarian, English or any other language as requested by enrolling attendants.
Number of tours conducted in 2015, by month Discover Sofia Tour – number of attendants in 2015, by month
Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration
ОП“Туризъм“ Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration MORE ABOUT SOFIA 2015
Discover Sofia – Sofia City Centre Free Walking Tour
In 2015 there were 78 free walking tours in the Bulgarian capital. 18 regular and 60 special ones – for members of delegations at Sofia municipality and various government institutios, numbering a total of 1 510. The tour is organized for guest journalists, as well as various Bulgarian institutions, realized by answering their requests and partnering with Bulgarian Guides Association. The most active monts (having the highest number of tours) were October, November, March and June.
Registered tours by months in 2015
Number of Month Total tours Scheduled tours Special tours participants
1 0 0 0 0 2 3 1 2 46 3 10 1 9 236 4 8 4 4 149 5 7 2 5 82 6 10 3 7 233 7 6 1 5 183 8 1 0 1 2 9 5 4 1 48 10 17 1 16 291 11 9 1 8 215 12 2 0 2 25 Total 78 18 60 1 510 Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration
PILGRIMAGE ROUTES TRAILS ORGANIZED WITH THE SUPPORT OF SOFIA MUNICIPALITY VIA SOFIA TOURISM ADMINISTRATION
In the 13-14th Centuries Sofia (then Sredets) was surrounded by a “necklace” of monasteries. Most of the monasteries are located in the foothills of the mountains neighbouring Sofia – Vitosha, Ltyulin, Lozenska Mountains, etc. Owing to the great number of cloisters dotted around a comparatively small area, the region is also known as the Holy Mount of Sofia, on a paralle with Holy Mount Athos in Greece. Research has revealed that the monasteries originally numbered 100, but today 40 are preserved in a better condition and 20 are functioning. Sofia Tourism Administration conducts, on an annual basis, 4 free-of-charge pilgrimage routes. Three of them lead to monasteries in Sofia Holy Mount and the fourth to Rila Monastery. They are usually held on the feast days of the individual places of worship. Two of the dates are fixed and the other two vary depending on the saint’s day throughout the year.
ОП“Туризъм“ Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration MORE ABOUT SOFIA 2015
The Miracle-maker of Rila Pilgrimage Route, held 1-6 August 2014, from Sofia to the Rila Monastery. The Holy Protection of the Mother of God Pilgrimage Route, held on October 1 2014, from St Petka Church in Kremikovtsi district to Kremikovtsi Monastery of St George. The Ascension of the Lord Pilgrimage Route, held on the church feast dasy of the Ascencion of the Lord on May 21 2015 from St St Constantine and Elena Church in the village of Dolni Lozen to the Lozen Monastery of St Saviour. The Holy Trinity Royal Pilgrimage Route on June 1 2015 from St St Kirik and Yulita Church in Bankya district to Divotino Monastery of the Holy Trinity
Detailed information on the pilgrimage routes can be obtained at the Tourist Information Centres.
ОП“Туризъм“ Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration GLOSSARY 2015
TERMS USED
Accommodation establishments – Accommodation establishments are a sub-group of tourist sites, incorporating hotels, motels, apartments, tourist compounds, villa compounds, Villas, family-run hotels, hostels, pensions, holiday houses, guest rooms, guest apartments, guest houses, bungalows and camping sites. (Law on Tourism, published in the State Gazette No 30/March 26 2013, valid as of March 26 2013; amended State Gazette No 68/August 2 2013, valid as of August 2013; amended State Gazette No 109/ December 20 2013, amended State Gazette No 40/ May 13 2014.) Average accommodation occupancy rate – A derivative indicator reflecting the degree of utilization of the available accommodation capacity of the accommodation establishment. It is calculated as the ration between the number of overnights realized and the number of beds ready for exploitation. (a work definition, created for the purpose of this publication). Backpacker – a tourist practicing backpacking tourism Backpacking – a low-cost form of tourism, regardless of the type of tourist travel and transport. The term”backpack” comes English, literally ”rucksack”, and refers to tourists, carrying on their backs big tourist backpacks or other luggage that is easily carried on long distances. It involves the use of public transport, low-cost accommodation (mostly hostel or youth hostel) and a longer duration of stay compared to traditional holiday travel related mostly to sightseeing. It is practiced mainly by young people who have more free time. Bar – offers a wide assortment of alcoholic and soft drinks. Cocktails, hot drinks, nuts, pastry and seets as well as a limited range of culinary products. (Law on Tourism, published in the State Gazette No 30/March 26 2013, valid as of March 26 2013; amended State Gazette No 68/August 2 2013, valid as of August 2013; amended State Gazette No 109/ December 20 2013, amended State Gazette No 40/ May 13 2014). Bungallow – accommodation facility, made up of structures for seasonal or year-round operation, equipped with bathroom gear and not necessarily with a kitchen unit. (Law on Tourism, published in the State Gazette No 30/March 26 2013, valid as of March 26 2013; amended State Gazette No 68/August 2 2013, valid as of August 2013; amended State Gazette No 109/ December 20 2013, amended State Gazette No 40/ May 13 2014 Camping site – A secure plot of land with due infrastructure and conditions, facilitating tourist stay with own or hired tent or caravan trailer, as well as parking space and tourist services on offer. The site may comprise bungalows, caravan trailers (temporary, stationary, mobile (wheeled) accommodation spot, bathroom and kitchenette not being a due regulation. (Law on Tourism, published in the State Gazette No 30/March 26 2013, valid as of March 26 2013; amended State Gazette No 68/August 2 2013, valid as of August 2013; amended State Gazette No 109/ December 20 2013, amended State Gazette No 40/ May 13 2014.) Catering and entertainment establishments – Pursuant to the Law on Tourism, catering and entertainment establishments are a sub-group of tourist sites, involving restaurants, Fast Food, aperitifs, pubs, etc., coffee and sweet shops and bars. (Law on Tourism, published in the State Gazette No 30/March 26 2013, valid as of March 26 2013; amended State Gazette No 68/August 2 2013, valid as of August 2013; amended State Gazette No 109/ December 20 2013, amended State Gazette No 40/ May 13 2014.) Coffee and Sweet Shops – Establishments for complementary feeding, offering sweet products, ice- cream, pastry products, soft and alcoholic drinks (Law on Tourism, published in the State Gazette No 30/March 26 2013, valid as of March 26 2013; amended State Gazette No 68/August 2 2013, valid as of August 2013; amended State Gazette No 109/ December 20 2013, amended State Gazette No 40/ May 13 2014.)
ОП“Туризъм“ Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration Coffee aperitifs, pubs, etc. – Offer a rich assortment of alcoholic beverages, soft drinks and snacks. (Law on Tourism, published in the State Gazette No 30/March 26 2013, valid as of March 26 2013; amended State Gazette No 68/August 2 2013, valid as of August 2013; amended State Gazette No 109/ December 20 2013, amended State Gazette No 40/ May 13 2014.) Family-run hotel – A building with an appropriate architectural design, comprising 10-20 rooms for tourist accommodation, carrying out hotel business. The establishment is run by hosts or specially hired staff, who perform personal service to guests./ A Family hotel has at least one catering and entertainment outlet. (Law on Tourism, published in the State Gazette No 30/March 26 2013, valid as of March 26 2013; amended State Gazette No 68/August 2 2013, valid as of August 2013; amended State Gazette No 109/ December 20 2013, amended State Gazette No 40/ May 13 2014.). Fast Food establishments – Offer a limited assortment of typed culinary products and/or ready packaged goods, desserts, drinks-soft and alcoholic. Have high put-through. Self service is main form of service. May offer a combined form of service (Law on Tourism, published in the State Gazette No 30/March 26 2013, valid as of March 26 2013; amended State Gazette No 68/August 2 2013, valid as of August 2013; amended State Gazette No 109/ December 20 2013, amended State Gazette No 40/ May 13 2014.) Guest House – A low-rise building availing a maximum of 10 accommodation rooms. Guests enjoy common areas such as sitting room, furnished kitchen, dining room or dining area and recreation in the yard. The accommodation establishment is run by the hosts who also offer service an d meals( at least breakfast) to the guests in circumstances similar to home. (Law on Tourism, published in the State Gazette No 30/March 26 2013, valid as of March 26 2013; amended State Gazette No 68/August 2 2013, valid as of August 2013; amended State Gazette No 109/ December 20 2013, amended State Gazette No 40/ May 13 2014.) Guest houses – individual apartments in an apartment building, let to tourists (Law on Tourism, published in the State Gazette, No 30/26.03.2013, valid as of 26.03.2013, amended State Gazette No 68/02.08.2013, valid as of 02.08.2013, amended State Gazette No 109/20.12.2013, State Gazette amended No 40/13.0532014 Guest Rooms – Up to 5 rooms- individual or in flats, in a single building, extended to tourists for overnight stays. (Law on Tourism, published in the State Gazette No 30/March 26 2013, valid as of March 26 2013; amended State Gazette No 68/August 2 2013, valid as of August 2013; amended State Gazette No 109/ December 20 2013, amended State Gazette No 40/ May 13 2014.). Holiday House – An individual accommodation establishment with prevalent social functions and infrastructure, offering wellness, spa, sports and other services. (Law on Tourism, published in the State Gazette No 30/March 26 2013, valid as of March 26 2013; amended State Gazette No 68/August 2 2013, valid as of August 2013; amended State Gazette No 109/ December 20 2013, amended State Gazette No 40/ May 13 2014.) Hostel – a building for low-budget accommodation, functionally separated as individual rooms and/or common rooms – for men, women and/or mixed. WC, livingroom, equipped kitchen with a dining room, are shared. (Law on Tourism, published in the State Gazette No 30/March 26 2013, valid as of March 26 2013; amended State Gazette No 68/August 2 2013, valid as of August 2013; amended State Gazette No 109/ December 20 2013, amended State Gazette No 40/ May 13 2014.). Hotel – A generally available building or buildings, functionally related, with a minimum of 15 rooms for accommodation, offering basic and complementary tourist services, related to the tourists’ stay. For hotels, built prior to June 1 2013, and hotels located in populated places or in parts of them are of historical, archeological, ethnographic or architectural importance, the number of rooms is allowed to be smaller by 20%. The hotel must have at least one catering and entertainment establishment. (Law on Tourism, published in the State Gazette No 30/March 26 2013, valid as of March 26 2013; amended State Gazette No 68/August 2 2013, valid as of August 2013; amended State Gazette No 109/ December 20 2013, amended State Gazette No 40/ May 13 2014.).
ОП“Туризъм“ Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration Motel – A type of roadside hotel for accommodation and services for motorists, located outside a populated place, in close proximity to a busy transport junction or motorway. The motel is geared with at least one catering and entertainment establishment. (Law on Tourism, published in the State Gazette No 30/March 26 2013, valid as of March 26 2013; amended State Gazette No 68/August 2 2013, valid as of August 2013; amended State Gazette No 109/ December 20 2013, amended State Gazette No 40/ May 13 2014.) Passengers – All persons carrying out movement between two or more geographical points with varying purpose and varying length. (International recommendations for tourism statistics (IRTS 2008) Pension (hostel) – Accommodation establishment (usually for longer accommodation) geared with the necessary furnishings, equipment, and utensils for self service. (Law on Tourism, published in the State Gazette No 30/March 26 2013, valid as of March 26 2013; amended State Gazette No 68/August 2 2013, valid as of August 2013; amended State Gazette No 109/ December 20 2013, amended State Gazette No 40/ May 13 2014.) Restaurants – Generally available catering and entertainment establishments, offering meals and pastry, as well as alcoholic beverages and soft drinks. Customer service is performed by duly qualified waitressing staff using special forms of serving (Law on Tourism, published in the State Gazette No 30/March 26 2013, valid as of March 26 2013; amended State Gazette No 68/August 2 2013, valid as of August 2013; amended State Gazette No 109/ December 20 2013, amended State Gazette No 40/ May 13 2014.). Tourism – Tourism is a social, cultural and economic phenomenon, related to the movement of people to places outside their traditional place of residence for private or professional aims. (International recommendations for tourism statistics (IRTS 2008). Tourist – Under the Law on Tourism in the Republic of Bulgaria (2013), a” tourist” is a visitor whose stay is at least 24 hours, thus spending at least one night in the visited destination and the aim of visit is tourism, recreation, sport, wellness procedures, business, visits with family and friends, pilgrimage, participation in a cultural, congress, conference or other event. (Law on Tourism, published in the State Gazette No 30/March 26 2013, valid as of March 26 2013; amended State Gazette No 68/August 2 2013, valid as of August 2013; amended State Gazette No 109/ December 20 2013, amended State Gazette No 40/ May 13 2014.). Tourist compound – A separate, territorially distinct group of accommodation facilities and/or accommodation establishments with a common engineering and tourism infrastructure, offering basic and supplementary tourist services. It must comprise at least five accommodation facilities and one catering and entertainment establishment. (Law on Tourism, published in the State Gazette No 30/March 26 2013, valid as of March 26 2013; amended State Gazette No 68/August 2 2013, valid as of August 2013; amended State Gazette No 109/ December 20 2013, amended State Gazette No 40/ May 13 2014.). Tourist destination – A regulated sum total of economic, social, cultural and ecological activities, carried out in tourist sites with actual limits, with the view of producing, selling and using of goods and services, generating the attractiveness of the tourist product (package) with sustained competitiveness and efficiency. (Law on Tourism, published in the State Gazette No 30/March 26 2013, valid as of March 26 2013; amended State Gazette No 68/August 2 2013, valid as of August 2013; amended State Gazette No 109/ December 20 2013, amended State Gazette No 40/ May 13 2014.). Tourist hut – a massive building, for short-term recreation, with basic and additional tourist services. Furnished and equipped, facilitated with appliances for individual use by tourists. It offers tourist, ecological and other information. (Law on Tourism, published in the State Gazette No 30/March 26 2013, valid as of March 26 2013; amended State Gazette No 68/August 2 2013, valid as of August 2013; amended State Gazette No 109/ December 20 2013, amended State Gazette No 40/ May 13 2014.). Villa – individual accommodation establishment, solidbuilt and low-rise, incorporating at least: hallway, living room, two bedrooms, kitchenette, dining room, bathroom, terrace and parking space. Garage is required only for 5-star category. (Law on Tourism, published in the State Gazette No 30/March 26 2013, valid as of March 26 2013; amended State Gazette No 68/August 2 2013, valid as of August 2013; amended State Gazette No 109/ December 20 2013, amended State Gazette No 40/ May 13 2014.)
ОП“Туризъм“ Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration Villa Compound – A separate territorial district group of low-rise, solid-built villas with a multi- purpose engineering and tourist infrastructure offering basic and diverse complementary tourist services. It is made up of at least 5 villas and encorporates at least one catering and entyertainment establishment. (Law on Tourism, published in the State Gazette No 30/March 26 2013, valid as of March 26 2013; amended State Gazette No 68/August 2 2013, valid as of August 2013; amended State Gazette No 109/ December 20 2013, amended State Gazette No 40/ May 13 2014.)
ABBREVIATIONS USE
Railway transport - Railway transport
RCE - Restaurants, catering and entertainment establishments
АЕ – Accommodation establishments
NSI – National Institute of Statistics
STA – Sofia Tourism Administration
SCC – Sofia City Council
T1 – Sofia Airport Terminal 1
T2 – Sofia Airport Terminal 2
ОП“Туризъм“ Reference Source: Sofia Tourism Administration