Tourism operators along Bulgaria’s Southern Black Sea coast are reporting a noticeably weaker start to the summer season, with some hotels saying arrivals only began to pick up at the beginning of July. Industry representatives describe an uneven performance, combined with efforts to stimulate demand through discounts and promotional packages.
According to hoteliers, the season opened significantly below expectations, with some estimating a decline of around 30-40% compared to previous years. The early weeks of summer were marked by low occupancy, although operators now expect activity to improve as the peak period approaches.
Veselin Nalbantov, deputy chair of the Bulgarian Hotel and Restaurant Association, said the industry is now entering a more active phase despite the weak beginning.
“The season started hard, but now the peak moment is coming - now we have to start reaping some successes. We cannot compensate for the lag with anything. The decline is about 30-40%, but we will make the final assessment at the end of the season,” he said.
He added that Bulgaria’s natural conditions remain a key advantage, stressing that the country still offers a competitive tourism product in terms of climate and coastline.
