Tourism agency adamant on 20% tourism revenue growth forecast

The target for the average annual revenues from tourism has not been corrected down from 20% in the final draft of the strategy for the development of the sector through 2013 despite warnings from the hospitality industry that it is too ambitious.

The strategy is currently being reviewed by the environment ministry. It will then have to be approved by all other ministries before it is moved to the government.

The key changes to the strategy were made in respect to the options for the absorption of EU funds via the regional development ministry, said Anelia Krushkova, chairperson of the State Tourism Agency.

Tourism revenues topped 2.4 bln euro in 2006. The strategy forecasts they will triple to 6 bln euro through 2013, an outlook that many local tour operators consider to be to rosy. Their bookings data suggests key markets will barely replicate their 2007 performance this year or will post marginal gains.

Krushkova defended the revenue growth target, saying it would be doable if the domestic hotels didn't underreport their performance.

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