Press releases

In February 2019, 1 868 accommodation establishments - hotels, motels, camping sites, mountain chalets and other establishments for short-term accommodation with more than 10 bed-places were functioned in the country. The total number of the rooms in them was 55.1 thousand and the bed-places were 111.3 thousand. In comparison with February 2018, the total number of accommodation establishments (functioned during the period) decreased by 0.8%, while the bed-places in them increased with 0.5%.

The total number of the nights spent in all accommodation establishments registered in February 2019 was 904.1 thousand, or by 3.8% less in comparison with the same month of the previous year.

The total revenues from nights spent in February 2019 reached 51.4 million BGN or by 2.4% more compared to February 2018.

According to the preliminary data, in February 2019 the index of production in section ‘Construction’ calculated on the base of seasonally adjusted data was 1.5% above the level of the previous month. In February 2019 the working day adjusted index of production in construction increased by 9.2% in comparison with the same month of 2018.

According to the preliminary seasonally adjusted data in February 2019 the turnover in ‘Retail trade, except of motor vehicles and motorcycles’ at constant prices decreased by 0.6% compared to the previous month.

According to the preliminary data the Industrial Production Index, seasonally adjusted, increased by 1.5% in February 2019 as compared to January 2019. In February 2019 the working day adjusted Industrial Production Index rose by 6.6% in comparison with the same month of 2018.

The key indicators are elaborated in accordance with the euro area, European Union and individual Member States indicators system. The analytical document is quarterly updated. Source of the data are the NSI statistical surveys and BNB data.

In January 2019 compared to December 2018 an increase is reported for the production of solid fuels - by 4.3% and transport diesel - by 1.4%. At the same time a decrease is reported for the production of unleaded motor gasoline - by 4.8% and electricity - by 3.5%. No change for the production of liquefied petroleum gases and natural gas.

In January 2019 compared to December 2018 an increase is reported for the deliveries of solid fuels - by 4.1%, unleaded motor gasoline - by 28.1%, natural gas - by 0.7% and electricity - by 4.3%. At the same time a decrease is reported for the deliveries of liquefied petroleum gases - by 17.4% and transport diesel - by 1.9%.

Total Producer Price Index in February 2019 increased with 1.8% compared to the previous month; compared to the same month of 2018 the prices rose by 3.9%. Producer Price Index on Domestic Market in February 2019 increased by 1.5% compared to the previous month; compared to the same month of 2018 the domestic prices grew by 4.1%.

In March 2019, the total business climate indicator preserves approximately its February level as an improvement is registered only in retail trade.

In February 2019, the number of the trips of Bulgarian residents abroad was 396.6 thousand or by 4.5% above the registered in February 2018. The trips with other purposes (as a guest, education and visit the cultural and sport events) in February 2019 composed the greatest share of the total number of trips of Bulgarian residents abroad - 49.8%, followed by those with professional purpose - 27.3%, and with holiday and recreation purpose - 22.9%.

In February 2019, the number of arrivals of visitors from abroad to Bulgaria was 483.0 thousand or by 5.6% more in comparison with February 2018. In February 2019, the predominant share of the visits with holiday and recreation purpose was 41.8%, followed by trips with other purposes - 38.5%, and with professional purpose - 19.7%.

Preliminary data of the NSI for the fourth quarter of 2018 indicate that the total hourly labour cost rose by 5.1% compared to the fourth quarter of 2017.