Occupancy in some hotel complexes along the South Black Sea Coast has reached 85%, while accommodation prices have dropped by nearly half compared to peak levels at the end of September.

According to information provided to the media by hotelier Hristo Karailev, his managed base currently hosts 1,760 guests. The largest group among foreigners consists of tourists from Poland, followed by citizens from the UK, Romania, and Germany.

Karailev describes the past campaign as very successful. He notes that the number of overnight stays has increased by approximately 1.5 percent compared to last year, pointing out that direct flights from major Polish cities to Burgas were a key factor.

"We had concerns about occupancy in May and June due to the booking trends, as the main booking window arrived late this year. Fortunately, the pace accelerated significantly afterward, and we surpassed last year's figures," the hotelier shared in an interview with "Tazi Sutrin".

The biggest incentive for these late vacations remains pricing policy. Karailev explains that by the end of September, rates are approximately 50% lower than they were three weeks ago, when the resorts were operating in high season. However, this is not a general rule for all establishments, as costs vary depending on the hotel category, offered packages, specific dates, and occupancy levels. The lower offers are complemented by a calmer atmosphere in the resorts and favorable weather conditions, making September an increasingly significant period of the season.

"We are already receiving inquiries for Eurovision, but there is nothing concrete yet because it is still early," he added.

In 2026, Poland is establishing itself as one of the key tourism markets for the Burgas region. As early as June, the Ministry of Tourism emphasized the importance of direct air links between Poland and Burgas, highlighting the Lublin - Burgas route. In September, the first business forum organized in Bulgaria by the Polish Chamber of Tourism was held in Sunny Beach, focusing on preparations for the 2027 season. The Ministry views Poland as a strategic market and is working on methods to extend stays beyond the standard summer months.

At the moment, the results for the summer of 2026 are similar to the indicators from the previous year. In the specific hotel Karailev mentioned, overnight stays are increasing by between 1 and 1.5% compared to 2025, despite an unstable start to the season in May and June. According to him, the later influx of reservations has managed to compensate for the sector's initial concerns.

While data from a single establishment cannot be taken as comprehensive statistics for the South Black Sea Coast, they align with the views of parts of the industry that seasonal levels are around those of last year.

The main challenge facing the sector remains high labor costs and staff shortages. Hotels continue to recruit personnel from third countries — Karailev's complex employs staff from India, Egypt, Ukraine, and Kyrgyzstan. Although some employers have faced issues with visa processing times, the staff managed to arrive before the busiest part of the season.

The Ministry of Tourism is also striving to extend the season's activity. During a forum in Tsarevo on Saturday, Minister Ilin Dimitrov emphasized that events and good transport connectivity are key factors in attracting more tourists during the autumn months.

In some of the large seaside complexes, seasonal staff will be sent home on October 1, after which the establishments will close. Continued operation through October will depend on weather conditions, flight availability, and actual market demand.

This summer, the main priorities for tourists were the quality-to-price ratio, "all-inclusive" packages, family offers, and higher-standard services. The fact that the first inquiries for the period around Eurovision 2027 are already being received by hotels along the South Black Sea Coast is an indicator of business expectations, although there are no confirmed reservations at this time.