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Ivan Marchevski, Krista Tsvetanova Neykova
THE CONSUMER CHOICE OF TOURISM PRODUCTS – SUSTAINABLE CRITERIA
FOR MARKET SEGMENTATION
Abstract:
The purpose of this paper is to empirically identify relevant and sustainable criteria for segmentation of Bulgarian consumers of tourism products in the process of making purchasing decisions. The study draws on original data gathered through an online survey of 898 Bulgarians, which was analysed using a range of statistical tests. Segmentation was performed using cluster analysis (hierarchical and non-hierarchical clustering). The analysis suggests that Bulgarian consumers of tourism products can be adequately and consistently segmented on the basis of five criteria: (1) their preferred mode of travel, (2) mode of planning and organising tourist trips, (3) the type of tourism they prefer, (4) the budget they normally spent for tourism and (5) their preferences regarding used sources of information. The market segments identified are directly related to a specific aspect of consumer choice in the purchase decision process. The results of this study can be used by providers of tourism services (tour operators, travel agencies, etc.) when defining the parameters of the tourist services they offer in order to influence consumer choice in the purchasing decision process.
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Aglika Kaneva
THE EFFECT OF SOME BANK INDICATORS UPON THE GDP, THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE AND FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT IN BULGARIA
Abstract:
The article presents the findings of a research into the effect that loans to non-financial corporations, household deposits and interest rates on new business loans in Bulgarian currency to non-financial corporations have upon the GDP, the unemployment rate and foreign direct investment in Bulgaria. The research employs regression analysis and provides a review of related literature about the impact of bank loans, bank deposits, interest rates on bank loans and deposits, as well as other bank indicators upon economic growth, employment and investment.
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Nikola Yankov
A CREATIVE APPROACH TO CONCEPTUALIZING AND INTEGRATING TOURIST PRODUCTS/BRANDS
Abstract:
The scope of this paper is to approach creativity in conceptualization, designing and marketing of tourist products.
Special attention is paid to the relation “Tourist potential of a region – tourist attractors – tourist products/brands – tourist products/brands marketing”.
Consequently, we have presented certain models of a creative process, namely the tourist product’s superstructure, structure, infrastructure and infostructure. They are regarded as objects of creative ideas, insights and visual models of tourist products. Special attention is also paid to the integration of tourist products in so called integrats. The creative marketing process of original tourist products is also structured.
Attention is also paid to possible approaches for integral usage of the Danube river tourist potential. Concrete tourist products/brands which could increase the attractiveness of the region are presented. One of them is the Bulgarian Danubian coast.
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Dragomir Iliev, Galin Stefanov, Yoto V. Yotov
ESTIMATING BULGARIA’S TRADE BORDERS WITH THE EU
AN APPLICATION OF THE EMPIRICAL GRAVITY MODEL OF TRADE
Abstract:
We use the empirical gravity model of international trade to evaluate the borders in manufacturing trade between Bulgaria and the European Union (BG-EU). Our results suggest that in 2006 the BG-EU border was quite large and not statistically different from the average border in our sample of 69 countries. As expected, our estimates confirm that the trade border between Bulgaria and the EU members was very large, and much larger than the average sample border, before the collapse of communism. The border fell sharply in the early to mid-90s, but it followed the average sample trend since then. We also document weak asymmetries in the BG-EU border in favor of EU exports to Bulgaria. Our results point to a series of extensions and further analysis.
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Lubomir Lubenov
THE DEVELOPMENT AND STATE
OF CONTEMPORARY AGRICULTURAL MARKETS
Abstract:
The aim of this research is to outline some key trends in the development and state of contemporary global and Bulgarian agricultural markets. The research comprises the occurring changes in agricultural markets. The analysis of on-going transformations includes the state and dynamics of their global dimensions, and the influence of social, technological and other factors. We have analysed the GMO, organic and online markets of agricultural products in relation to their prospects for development on a global scale and at a regional level – in Bulgaria. We have ascertained tha,t as a whole, the trends of expanding agricultural markets – conventional, organic, genetically modified foods and online - are the result of social transformations and technological development. We have observed a significant delay in Bulgarian agricultural markets compared to the trends and development of world agricultural markets. We have ascertained a strong discrepancy – bearing in mind the development of agricultural business in Bulgaria throughout the last decade and a significantly slower development of national agricultural markets, infrastructure and market relations. Particular difficulties exist related to the realization of agricultural produce created in Bulgaria.
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Galina Georgieva
FINANCIAL AND ECONOMIC ASPECTS
OF DEVELOPMENT OF THE TRADE, REPAIR
OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND MOTORCYCLES SECTOR IN BULGARIA
Abstract:
The paper analyzes the development of key financial measures in the Trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles industry in Bulgaria. The study refers to data for the 2009-2019 period, retrieved from an official source – the NSI. The analysis of one of the key economic sectors in Bulgaria – Trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles, and the measures studied from a financial and economic point of view, in particular, leads to the conclusion that it is highly dependent on everything that happens in the country in economic and social terms. In structural terms, the study consists of two main parts, covering the characteristics and trends in the Trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles” industry in Bulgaria for the 2009-2019 period. The positive and negative factors affecting the sector are drawn as a result.