Varna

A month behind schedule, the first 19 German railroad cars for Bulgarian Railways (BDZ) have arrived, according to a report by bTV. These railroad cars are designated to serve the busiest routes, including those from Sofia to Varna, Burgas, and Ruse. They are expected to start transporting passengers by mid-June at the latest.

Real estate agents have reported a surge in property purchases by foreigners in Bulgaria's resorts and major cities like Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna, and Burgas. While resorts like Bansko and Sunny Beach have seen the most transactions by foreigners, Bulgarians remain the primary buyers across all mountain and seaside destinations.

In response to the threat of a whooping cough epidemic, Bulgaria has enacted temporary anti-epidemic measures aimed at curbing the spread of the disease. The measures, which came into effect today and will remain in place until the end of July, include free PCR testing for diagnosis in key cities such as Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna, Pleven, and Stara Zagora.

Ryanair has announced plans to base its fourth aircraft at Sofia Airport and introduce flights to five new destinations this summer season.

The airline's expansion will see the addition of routes to Valencia, Alicante, Bristol, Copenhagen, and Skiathos, bringing the total number of destinations served by Ryanair from Sofia to 40.

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, in collaboration with partners, is launching today the Compass Bulgaria Network of Protection and Inclusion Centres, a joint initiative in six refugee-hosting cities in Bulgaria spanning Sofia, Plovdiv, Burgas, Varna, Dobrich, and Ruse.

In response to the alarming surge of whooping cough cases, the Health Commission has convened an extraordinary meeting to address the escalating situation. This decision comes following the tragic demise of two infants due to the disease in Kyustendil, prompting urgent action from health authorities.

Renowned actor and co-founder of Nobu Hospitality, Robert De Niro, is set to make waves in Bulgaria's hospitality scene with the opening of two luxury hotels under the Nobu brand. The US-based brand, known for its upscale hotels, restaurants, and residences, is making its mark in Bulgaria with properties in Sofia and Varna.

"Bulgarian Railways" (BDZ-Passenger Services EOOD) has inked a contract with Deutsche Bahn for the supply of 76 state-of-the-art passenger wagons. This agreement marks a pivotal moment in Bulgaria's transportation sector, signaling a tangible step towards modernization and enhanced service quality.

Bulgaria's winter tourism season has surpassed expectations, with a remarkable 25% increase in foreign visitors compared to initial projections. According to Prof. Rumen Draganov, director of the Institute for Analyzes and Evaluations in Tourism, the country welcomed over 2.1 million tourists from abroad during the winter season, significantly exceeding the anticipated 1.7 million visits.

The housing market in Bulgaria witnessed mixed trends in the fourth quarter of 2023, with overall prices experiencing a modest increase of 1.2%, according to the latest data released by the National Statistics Institute. While this marks a slowdown compared to the preceding quarter's growth of 2.7%, the market continues to show resilience amid evolving economic conditions.