Mike says he's from Wisconsin but I would guess not an American as he can't seem to write correct English.

I dont think its right that very large parts of what are public beaches are given over to these Sunbed & Umbrella vendors, the beach is for everyone to enjoy and should not be for a few people to make money out of, in some resorts they have taken over nearly all the beach. Bulgaria needs to realise that it also has to "give" something to its visitors, it should not be all take.
I wonder, does anyone in the BG tourist industry ever read posts like these, and if so I wonder what they think of some [...]

Read the full comment of the comments above, are we just seen as whingers or do they think we are making valid points?

im from wisconsin in the states, i was to sofia, blagovegrad, bansko, and many other citys in my time there, this is political shit your seeing and there is much more ahead, one thing i noticed as a tourist is the lack of parking in sofia, the over crowded strees with cars, i believe parking meters will beome a future goal for your goverment, all the goverment cares about is keeping the public quiet and relaxed and trying to make as much money as possible, Bulgaria is the ,most beautiful country in europe, and the most nicest people are in [...]

Read the full comment blagovegrad, when police pull over people for no reason and demand money i think theres a problem with the goverment, look how many people are in sofia and how small the murder rate is, and the mureders there are it is almost always mafia related, you fix your goverment you fix prices!

We went to Bulgaria 10 years ago and loved it only because of the lovely beaches and cheap cheap food / drink. There were only about 5 restaurants back then and now it is so built up its crazy - I only go back as I bought an apartment due to it being cheap when over there and if the prices go up people wont go - Sunny beach only has low cost of living as its attraction - theres nothing else worth going for really - sort it out bulgaria

It would be nice if the operators at Sunny Beach also dropped their costs as two Beds and an Umbrella cost 21 Lev (7 Lev for each item). Last year the cost was only 12 Lev.

I was at the south beach nessebar on sunday...i payed only 3 leva for umbrella. So i dont rekognize they prices you guys talking about...and the price for the food is sheap and the same for local people and for me.

In t ecurrent economic crisis, thes epeople are trying to extort money from tourists. They have even been known to threaten people who have their own umbrellas. The problem is that ALL tourists feel as if they are being ripped off, and the Bulgarian economy will suffer for its greed.

As a semi-resident in Bulgaria I can see both sides. Lesson no. one: do not treat Bulgarians like they are stupid people, they survived a dreadful history over the years. Be firm but courteous in your dealings, the occasional expletive does no harm!but keep it short. As an Irishman I have had to suffer much from our tourism lot. Learn the language to show respect.

Apparently, the mayor of nessebar has met with the local chair owners and they have agreed to drop their prices to 5 leva per day, if that helps anybody.

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The only real reason people go to BG is the prices - now what?

A lot of Irish have visited Sunny Beach and would never go to Bulgaria again as the food was terrible, overpriced, rip-off taxis and not up to standard of other European destinations, yet the Bulgarians feel they can charge the same as others.

Have been coming to Bulgaria For Years now and this is a scandel .Will put a lot of People of going to the beach ,and is absurd the cost to sit on the beach and people will think twice as the holiday is dear enough ,without getting ripped of to sit on a beach which is normally free

I despair, as English people we have many years in rip off Britain so only get done once ! Sadly it seems that from my personal experience many Bulgarians lack the integrity required in a civilised society, maybe it's because they never played cricket.
They can blame a corrupt Government, The Mafia, and the Gypsies all they want, but the truth is it seems that the country lives from day to day, and for the day, by whatever means it can. What this country needs right now is a leader. Sadly I don't see one on the horizon. [...]

Read the full comment Will the forthcoming elections be just more of the same ? Looking at the candidates unfortunately it seems so. There is a word we use in England and unfortunately it will remain in Bulgaria for the forseeable future, we call getting ripped off 'getting skanked'!
No other country treats it's guests this way, wholesale.
I love Bulgaria and it's people and have decided this is to be my home for the rest of my days.But my so called friends 'skank' me every day to the tune of just 10 stotinkis, overcharging me for a loaf of bread, more than the locals pay. As a foreigner abroad we keep our dignity and say nothing, but what hope then for this lovely country and it's majority of decent honest people. It's so sad, and so short sighted, and the only people to turn to, are your fellow Bulgarians.

In La Palma... a beach chair and an umbrella cost aroung 6 €/day

Then we should choose a Canary Island as La Palma, to enjoy the sea, the sun, the food bargain prices. I really recommend this place.

"The firm responsible for the latest scandal is Siroko EOOD. The company has a concession contract with the regional ministry signed in 1999, valid for 20 years"

How sign a 20 years agreement?

Can you guess how many Swedes who will recommend to go to Bulgaria when the hire of sunbed plus umbrella cost as much as the cheapest hotel cost per day 165 SEK (30 Lev)?

I think more tourist goes to Montenegro, is more cheaper their !

And as they sell less they will put prices thinking that they will make something from one sale.
Anybody want to buy a house in Durankalak. To you 100.000 Euro to a Bulgarian 150.000 Euro.
and that no joke.
Stormofmarbles at aol dot com
I am sure you can figure that one out.

I agree with Diane.... just see what has happend to Spain... in BIG Crisis right now as they priced themsef out of market during last few years.... really short term mentality.

Other things is Taxi pricing... in SB 2km cost 20BGN.... and what about restaurants double pricing: one menu and prices for Bulgarians and other menu and prices for Tourists...

I think there should be some work to do for correct department in goverment to make these things stop.

Obiously Bulgarians havent realized yet, that tourists who are [...]

Read the full comment coming to Bulgarias beach resorts are the poorest tourists in whole Europe, tourists who are coming here only because they can feel like millionaires during one week.... and with those prices they cant afford it anymore... sorry to say, but Bulgaria really not appeal a luxury tourist...

get a tent, some food, a crate a beer, and avoid the resorts. you can spend a memorable week by the sea, and it will not cost you an arm and a leg.

Ah Bulgaria, we never miss a chance to screw up. I gave a presentation at a tourist school, showed a slide of a dirty hotel room in Tryvana, and they thought it was ok. Dirty carpets, soiled linen, etc. It will always be a once only, never again vacation spot.

Thirty Leva about equal to the cost of renting the same items at either Huntington or Newport Beaches here in Southern California ($20 USD). When I visit Bulgarian beaches I expect to see prices lower than what I see here at home. Otherwise why even leave the States?

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why why why will the bulgarians ever learn the tourist will come back if they feel that the value for money is compatable with the budget they have hello all of europe is suffering please look after your clients

Typical short term mentality. Put the prices up high, make some money this year. Tourists come and go home and tell everyone including the press that Bulgaria is now high priced, so tourists stop coming.

Think for tomorrow not today.