CROATIA & EASTERN EUROPE SUNNY BEACH DESTINATIONS S
unny Beach is the central hot spot – in every sense of the
word – of Bulgaria’s Black Sea Riviera. The country’s largest resort has built its reputation on cheap fun in the sun and ticks all the boxes for bargain breaks. As the tumbling pound hits clients’ purse strings, it’s a more affordable but no less sunny alternative to the Med. It appeals to sun-seekers looking for other destinations in the wake of terrorist attacks in countries such as Turkey, Tunisia and Egypt, and also offers options for an alternative audience, including those keen on five-star properties and secluded hideaways.
Travel Weekly joined a
mega-fam celebrating the 50th anniversary of Bulgaria specialist Balkan Holidays to discover what Sunny Beach has to offer and how to sell it.
w VALUE The Black Sea’s season runs from May to October, and with more than 800 hotels and countless bars and restaurants, competition for business is keen. Many hotels offer all-inclusive
packages, but as eating out is so inexpensive, suggest clients try local restaurants, where they’ll find it hard to spend £25, even on a three-course meal with wine.
To tempt visitors into bars
and eateries, there are two (or occasionally four!) for one cocktail deals and free cuppas with a full English breakfast. Another strong selling point is that Bulgaria is outside the eurozone, so it regularly tops the Post Office Money Survey as the best-value holiday destination. Agent verdict: “I have been blown away by the value. It is amazing value for money and the
food is really good. Sunny Beach exceeded my expectations.” Julie Mickevicius,
verycheapholidays.co.uk
w EASE OF ACCESS With a flight time that averages fewer than three-and-a-half hours, Sunny Beach is easy to reach, with two airports – Burgas and Varna – serving the Black Sea Riviera. This year, Balkan Holidays is flying from a record 18 UK airports, including a new weekly service from Liverpool to Bourgas and additional airlift from Newcastle. UK-wide flights are a boon for
families who want to cut down on travel time with youngsters. The transfer time to the resorts is just 40 minutes. Other operators featuring Sunny Beach include Thomas
5 January 2017
travelweekly.co.uk 53
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80