Deputy Minister Irena Georgieva on BTV: We expect a difficult summer with moderate optimism

“We expect a difficult summer with moderate optimism. Data show that the interest in summer vacations from Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania and our neighbours is recovering. There is interest in bookings from the UK and Germany, but we should not neglect the domestic market on which we have rightly relied over the past two years.” This was stated by the Deputy Minister of Tourism Irena Georgieva on BTV.

According to her, our vacations will hardly be cheaper this summer, but one of the advantages of our Black Sea coast is the offer of options to suit every pocket. “The hotel-keepers, who have gained a lot of experience, unfortunately also because of the pandemic and the war in Ukraine, are well oriented in the market and I believe there will be good offers for everyone. It is normal to expect some rise in the prices, but it is too early to commit to an exact percentage of higher prices,” the deputy minister said.

Mrs Georgieva also commented that the loss of Russian and Ukrainian tourists after the war could not but have an impact: “These were very important markets for us, but with an active advertising campaign we will be able to compensate for their lack to some extent.”

Asked whether free umbrellas and sunbeds would be offered at the seaside this year, the deputy minister did not rule out the possibility of providing them. “Some of the concessionaires of the sea beaches have asked for support measures to be implemented, but we do not envisage them at the moment,” Georgieva said.

Anti-epidemic measures will be implemented according to the health recommendations of the Ministry of Health, as they are mainly related to self-discipline and precaution. “I have to say that the measures lifted by the Minister of Health’s latest order from yesterday, 13 April, are a very good prerequisite to make us a preferred destination by our traditional markets. Because tourists from neighbouring countries, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Israel and Egypt can enter the country without presenting a certificate. This is a long and joint activity between the health and tourism ministries,” the Deputy Minister summed up.