Tourism is an important sector in the entire region, but in the Bulgarian economy it has a huge impact. Travel and tourism accounts for 4,9% of GDP for 2021, compared to 4.2% in 2020 and 9.9% in 2019.
The sector of tourism was among the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic due to its dependence on international travel. In 2019, in Bulgaria, tourism-related employment supported approximately 236 300 people. The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic saw this fall to approximately 194 600 people in 2020, a decline of 41 700 people.
Maritime and coastal tourism accounts for 70% of the total tourism activities in Bulgaria and almost 45% in Romania and is most affected by the negative consequences of the pandemic due to its dependence on international travel.
There is great potential for the development of cruise tourism in Georgia. The largest and most famous passenger terminal in Georgia operates in Batumi.
Romanian tourism was also very much affected by the pandemic, but the seaside tourism recovered fast. The Romanian coast, due to the presence of long beaches, climatic conditions with low humidity and the presence of medicinal mud, offers the most favorable natural conditions for the settlement and development of spas (including medicinal baths). The beaches with fine sand are oriented to the east and have more than 11 hours of sunshine a day – the brightness is particularly pronounced, as on the Mediterranean coasts.
Surrounded by seas on three sides, Türkiye has a great tourism potential and coastal tourism constitutes 20% of tourism income. Türkiye is home to many coves, gulfs and beaches. The proximity of natural, historical and cultural resources to the coasts, the existence of world-famous diving areas and natural coves suitable for windsurfing, many blue flag beaches, the absence of dangerous water creatures, and the mild climate make the country strong. High quality marinas and an advanced marine tourism fleet are also among the strengths of coastal tourism. There is an opportunity to develop marine tourism and create joint tour programs in the Black Sea with the necessary incentives and cooperation efforts. In addition, the developed communication and transportation infrastructure makes the country strong.
In Ukraine, the Black Sea coast of Odesa and Mykolaiv oblasts has a powerful recreational potential. Among its components, the following components deserve special attention: sports and recreation, health resort, cultural activities. The therapeutic profile of resorts in the city of Odesa and the Odesa oblast is characterized by the presence of natural healing resources. The main recreational areas of the Mykolaiv oblast are also located on the coast of the Black Sea and estuaries. The most promising directions of tourism development in the Mykolaiv oblast are ecological, rural (green), historical and cultural, industrial, youth, active types of tourism (rafting, kiting, jumping, hiking tourism, sports orientation).
LEARN MORE: “Pathways for Boosting Blue Businesses in the Black Sea Region” Consolidated regional report
