Sunny Beach hotels offer 50% discounts amid declining tourism

The Sunny Beach tourist resort in Bulgaria is experiencing a decline in visitor numbers this season, prompting hotels to offer discounts of up to 50% through September. While some establishments will remain open until the end of September, others will continue hosting guests until mid-October.

Market trends show mixed results: the UK market has seen growth, and the Israeli market filled up after a slow start through July. However, there has been a notable decline in tourists from Germany and Romania.

Financial assessments of the sector vary. While the National Statistical Institute reports a 13.6% increase in overnight stay revenue, the Bulgarian Hotel and Restaurant Association estimates that business revenues are actually shrinking by between 15% and 25%. Industry professionals attribute this discrepancy to significantly higher operating costs for labor, energy, supplies, and advertising, which have squeezed profit margins despite stable occupancy volumes.