Varna and the surrounding resorts reach tourism levels from the record pre-pandemic year 2019

published on 2/9/24 10:22 AM | updated on 2/9/24 10:35 AM

Photo: pixabay

The people working in the tourism industry in the region of Varna on the Black Sea are getting ready for the summer season. Judging by the advance bookings, there is a good chance that this year, the industry could, at last, go back to 2019 levels – a record year for tourism, Pavlin Kossev, chair of the Varna Association of Restaurants and Hotels said in an interview with BNR-Varna. He says that demand at the city hotels and for tours of the region of Varna started early this year.

“Despite the two wars, Covid and all other problems our clients seem relaxed and comfortable enough to make advance reservations, and of course it always comes out cheaper because of the discounts,” Pavlin Kossev notes. This summer too, hotel operators are going to be relying on guests from the EU. By a tradition, the biggest number of tourists coming to this country is from Romania.

“The Romanian market is a big, stable market. We are neighbouring countries. They like Bulgaria’s tourism very much, and not just because of the short distances, but because there is a good balance between nature, sea, food, and all of the different kinds of tourism we are offering - cultural, religious, wine,” says Pavlin Kossev.

Alongside the tourists from Romania, Varna is a preferred destination for visitors coming from Poland, Germany, the UK and, of course – from Bulgaria.

“We are continuing our efforts to develop domestic tourism as well, because Bulgarian tourists are a target group for us, even though some complain that 5-star hotels are too expensive for them. But we have cheaper offers too, as anywhere else in the world. The prices of tourist services have gone up here too, as everywhere else. What is more, our staff mix is growing more and more colourful – we too have to bring in staff from third countries, mostly Asia. That is a normal thing,” Pavlin Kossev says.

Every summer season in Bulgaria goes “hand in hand” with all kinds of dire predictions – of plunging demand and mass bankruptcies, or threats to the tourist industry in the country. The scaremongering agenda this year is topped by the proposal submitted to parliament for the construction of an offshore wind farm in the Black Sea, i.e. for putting up wind turbines in the sea. Understandably, the industry is dead-set against the idea.

“There are problems everywhere. But there are many positive things as well, things we can be proud of. Tourists say there are many reasons why they come here for their holidays. That is why, as regards the discussions on the wind turbines, if they are put up on the Golden Sands beach or somewhere else on the coast where there are tourists, then, yes, that is going to have a negative effect. But I am sure specialists will not allow such a thing to happen,” Pavlin Kossev says.