site.btaLast Minute Bookings More Common at Black Sea Coast, No Widespread Discounts in August

Accommodation prices on Bulgaria's southern Black Sea coast have remained at the levels set at the beginning of the peak season, with no widespread discounts in August, representatives of the hotel industry told BTA.

Maintaining high occupancy rates and competitiveness remains the sector's main priority this month. Hotels with available capacity continue to offer various deals and package offers, while those that secured early bookings are operating at or near full capacity.

Hoteliers said that market dynamics in recent years have changed the way tourists plan their holidays. An increasing number of bookings now are made shortly before travel, requiring a more flexible approach to pricing and marketing campaigns. Industry representatives stressed that isolated examples of high accommodation prices should not be regarded as representative of Bulgaria's tourism sector as a whole. They noted that the cost of a holiday package depends on the hotel's category, the services included, its location and the length and timing of the stay.

Family holidays and all-inclusive or meal-inclusive packages still enjoy the strongest demand in August. Hoteliers expect the peak month to contribute to strong overall seasonal results and, provided current demand is maintained, do not foresee significant changes in accommodation prices until the end of the holiday season. A more substantial reduction in accommodation rates is expected between September 15 and October 1.

As early as mid-July, the Ministry of Tourism announced that bookings for Bulgaria's Black Sea resorts were close to last year's levels. During a visit to Lozenets, tourism Minister Ilin Dimitrov said the summer tourist season in Bulgaria was progressing at roughly the same pace as last year and that the shortfall recorded at the beginning of the season had already been overcome.

According to data from the Union of Owners in the Sunny Beach resort complex, occupancy at accommodation establishments exceeded 90% as of August 1.