The summer tourist season in Primorsko is up in several areas compared with last year, mayor Ivan Gaykov told BTA. He said the final numbers won't be ready until the end of September, but the early figures already give reason for optimism.

The mayor said the season could turn out to be a success, despite the tough start the tourism trade had this summer. He stressed that the gains aren't just about revenue. Many restaurants report more customers and higher staff numbers. That, he said, is a real sign of how business is actually doing.

Gaykov said quality will matter more and more for the sector's future. He said the push for better quality will keep growing, and that the hoteliers and restaurant owners who invest in better service will be the ones who succeed.

"The product keeps getting better, and that's where things are heading. Those will be the successful hoteliers and restaurant owners of the future," mayor Ivan Gaykov said.

Bulgarian tourists remain the biggest group of visitors to Primorsko. The top foreign markets for the town are the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland. Gaykov said there's also reason for optimism about Germany, with tourist numbers from there expected to rise.

The mayor also pointed to forecasts from tourism minister Ilin Dimitrov of a big rise in Polish tourists to Bulgaria next year. Gaykov said growth in that market matters especially for seaside towns like Primorsko.