In the middle of July, we usually say that the tourist season on the native Black Sea coast is in full swing. A large part of the Bulgarians who choose to vacation there head to the beaches south of Sozopol.
There is no increase in the price of shade at the height of the tourist season. The prices of an umbrella, sunbed and beach accessories are the same as they were at the beginning of the season. On one of the beaches in Burgas, the price of shade is the lowest - 1.20 leva per umbrella or sunbed. In front of establishments that offer luxury sunbeds and mattresses, the price is slightly higher - 8 leva. The NOVA team decided to visit one of the most preferred beaches - "Kavatsi" and "Smokinya-Sever", to check on the spot if there has been a change in the prices of shade.
In Sozopol and south of it, the main tourists...are Bulgarians. We go to two of the beaches that in recent years have become preferred by young people, because of the spacious strip, clean water and the entertainment opportunities they offer.
On "Kavatsi-Sever" the price of shade has not changed for years. "Our prices are 9 leva for an umbrella, 8 leva for a sunbed. The set is 25 leva - two sunbeds and one umbrella. The prices have not changed for maybe 10 years," says Daniel Badev, manager of "Kavatsi" beach.
In addition to the paid area, visitors can also sit in front of the establishments, where they can use the shade completely free of charge. There is one condition there to use an umbrella and sun loungers.
"We mainly work with reservations. Beach materials are not paid for. What is perhaps required is a recommended consumption. Two or three people who can afford to spend about 40-50 leva," explained Alexander Georgiev, manager of "Beach Bar".
There is no limit to the time in which we will use the shade. The question immediately arises, however, what are the prices of the most preferred drinks. It turns out that the price of coffee is 3.90 leva, and the fresh juice is 7 leva.
We decide to check under what conditions we can use the shade in front of the beach bars on the neighboring strip - "Smokinya-Sever". "Beach accessories are completely free on the premises of the establishment. There is a recommended minimum consumption of 10 leva per bar, which I think is within the normal range", said Petar Ivov, owner of a beach bar.
On many of the beaches along the Southern Black Sea Coast there are establishments that offer the use of an individual luxury tent by their visitors. The prices are naturally higher, but they are announced in prominent places and therefore there is no way that customers will be surprised by the amount they have to pay.
"The delicate moment in all establishments that are in the field of catering - drinks, food, is quality service, good price and quality product. I think then no one would make a mistake. I don't know why most Bulgarians choose Greece over Bulgaria. In my opinion, Bulgaria is a much better place for tourism. With much better quality products, in terms of offering - price, quality. "I think a vacation in Bulgaria would be much cheaper than in Greece," emphasizes Petar Ivov, owner of a beach bar.