[size=85:d5bnyvn7]Standart news 27 June 2010

Bulgaria Offers the Cheapest Seaside Holidays on the Balkans
Guests are lured with attractive all-inclusive deals and family packages

Amid economic problems and global market instability, Bulgarian hotel keepers at the seaside have secured a profitable season with hot all-inclusive deals and amazing family discounts. Market polls show that the Bulgarian seaside is cheaper than that of our neighbors, Turkey and Greece, which happens for the first time since the Zhivkov era. All-inclusive deals start from 35 lev per day for adults, while kids under 12 years of age stay at the hotel for free. There are also 50% family discounts for wellness and spa packages. Hotel keepers in Albena, Obzor and Nessebar expect fifty-percent increase in the number of tourists this season.

A 50% increase in tourists is highly optimistic. There are some good deals around, but not if you're eating out on the sea front at Balchik, generally. There are a few tourists around in Balchik, but nothing like the numbers of summer 2007, 2008, although 2009 was even worse at this time, so looks as if there are some improvements. Some restaurants are offering deals such as fish and chips, a drink and a good dessert for 13.00 levas, which is is not bad, but others are still offering a 300 gm fish dinner for upwards of 20 leva. Wise to shop around.

Regards, George.

[size=85:3lutojo3]novinite 28 June 2010

22% More Foreign Tourists Come to Bulgaria in May

The number of foreign holidaymakers who visited Bulgaria grew by almost 22% in May 2010 year on year, the National Statistical Institute reported.

A total of 593 000 foreigners traveled to Bulgaria in May, which is an overall increase of 6.2% compared to the same month of 2009.

Transit trips also increased – by 6.6%, while business trips to Bulgaria and guest stays were down by 18% and 13% respectively.

The number of Romanians who visited Bulgaria in May increased by 22.4% year-on-year, of Austrians – by 16.6%;
of Russians – by 66%;
of Serbians – by 51%;
of Macedonians – by 30%.

About 35% fewer Swedes and Finns came to Bulgaria in May.

A total of 43% of the foreign visitors came for a vacation, 28% traveled transit through the country, while 16% came on business.

At the same time, the number of Bulgarians traveling abroad in May 2010 declined by 34% year-on-year. Some 40% of those who traveled internationally went on business trips, while 20% went on vacation.

All sounds very good but is it real or is it just another load of hype and chit chat