Bulgaria has lost more than 70,000 Israeli tourists due to the ongoing Middle East conflict, according to the Bulgarian Hotel and Restaurant Association (BHRA). In a letter to caretaker Minister of Tourism Irena Georgieva, the association warned that without government assistance to offset the cancellations, staff layoffs could follow.
The BHRA said the cancellations are concentrated in the ski resort of Bansko and the Northern Black Sea coast. The association called for incentives to attract Bulgarian tourists, noting that competitor countries are also losing visitors who will be seeking alternative destinations.
"If the government does not assist the tourism sector in offsetting the cancellations by Israeli tourists—whose numbers for Bansko and the Northern Black Sea coast are estimated at over 70,000—staff layoffs could follow," the BHRA said in its letter.
The association argued that such incentives would be more effective than spending funds from the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy to support laid-off workers.
Why it matters
The loss of more than 70,000 Israeli tourists represents a significant blow to Bulgaria's tourism sector, which reported 5.8% growth in 2025. The BHRA's warning of potential layoffs underscores the vulnerability of destinations heavily reliant on specific source markets. The association's call for domestic tourism incentives reflects a broader trend in the region, where countries are pivoting to local travellers amid geopolitical instability. For tour operators and DMCs, this signals a need to diversify source markets and develop contingency plans for conflict-driven disruptions.
Bulgaria's tourism industry had been showing strong momentum, with the country recently ranked among Europe's top three for summer tourism season strength. The current setback highlights how quickly external shocks can reverse gains.
