Tourism sector worried there would be fewer tourists during the upcoming season in Bulgaria

A month before the opening of the summer tourist season at the Bulgarian seaside, representatives of the tourism sector are worried that there would be even less number of tourists than last summer. There are almost no bookings in the hotels on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. There is also a crisis in recruiting staff.

In order for tourists to come to Bulgaria, the incidence of COVID-19 must be reduced, experts say.

"If we are in Covid-19 red zone and if there is a reverse quarantine, I am very sceptical, because no one will come and then stay in quarantine in this country," the chairman of Varna Tourist Chamber, Ilin Dimitrov, said on March 30.

The attitude of the tour operators was to start the season in May. However, the data are different.

"We have a lot of cancellations from Romanian citizens, which were mainly expected for Easter. Flights from Israel did not arrive," said Evelina Puleva, a tour operator.

"We do not have reservations from foreign tourists yet. Last year at that time we knew to what percentage the season would be busy," Hubena Gencheva, manager of a hotel complex, said.

The tourist industry representatives want urgent measures from the Ministry of Tourism and say that the neighbouring countries are a step ahead.

"Turkey has directly agreed with Russia that 4.5 million Russians will visit the country for holidays, Greeks are going to Romania. I guess a similar step will be taken by our country," Ilin Dimitrov said.

Hoteliers want visa facilitation for tourists from third countries. They also rely heavily on green corridors for vaccinated tourists.

"We will rely on Bulgarian tourists, and mainly if the measures are eased, we will rely on tourists from the countries around us, from Romania, Turkey and other neighbouring countries," said hotelier Stanislav Stoyanov.

Owners of hotels on the Black Sea coast still do not know if there will be tourists from Western Europe or what will happen to charter flights.