Impact of COVID-19 on the tourism sector in Bulgaria: state, measures to deal with the effects of pandemic

Department of Regional Development, Faculty of Economics, Trakia University, 6000 Stara Zagora, Bulgaria

^* Corresponding author: violetka.zheleva@trakia-uni.bg

Abstract

Nowadays the tourism sector is facing challenges from different type. The physical limitations in travel, overnight stays and public health affected all forms of tourism. Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, industries worldwide have been in a state of stagnation, collapse and insecurity which can be seen mostly in tourism sector. According to global expectations physical and mental health care are top priority, so forms of alternative tourism will be the focus of the tourism sector in near future. Current research is relying on hypothesis that alternative forms of tourism are more preferable than the mass tourism, since it is less widespread and consumers would find this form safer from a health point of view. Results will provide detailed overview of tourism sector in Bulgaria and its distribution.