The number of tourists spending their holidays in Bulgaria this year is expected to grow by 6-8%, tourism minister Delyan Dobrev said.
Currently, tourism generates some 15% of Bulgaria's gross domestic product, a ministry statement issued over the weekend quoted Dobrev as saying during a tourism exhibition.
The ministry is focusing on the development of alternative tourism that could provide sustainable development of the sector and help overcome its seasonal nature, Dobrev said, adding that the sector is growing despite the global economic crisis.
Dobrev also said Bulgaria expects to attract some 20% more Russian tourists in 2012.