Minister Angelkova: The new sea beach concessions provision a sun umbrella and a sun lounger at the price of BGN 2 and 4.

A base price of sun umbrellas and sun loungers at the Bulgarian beaches is introduced – BGN 2, 3, and 4. The requirement will be embedded in all sea beach concession procedures, which are due to be announced and will become effective as soon as the next summer season. This was announced today by the Minister of Tourism Nikolina Angelkova, following the Council of Ministers’ session. The changes are made in the amendments and additions to the Methodology for determining the minimum amount of the concession payment for sea beaches and in the minimum criteria for comprehensive assessment of bids placed in competitions held to select sea beach concessionaires, which were adopted by the cabinet at today’s meeting.

„Optimization of the Methodology will factor in the specifics of the beaches, reducing the prices of beach accessories and encouraging the offering of extra services“, Minister Angelkova said. According to her, a 40% weight is set for the offered price of 1 sun umbrella and 1 sun lounger in beach concession competitions, with all formulas determining a base price for 1 sun umbrella and 1 sun lounger. The price will vary depending on the beach specifics and the proximity and availability of accommodation beds in the settlement near the beaches. For beaches located near settlements with < 10 000 residents, the price will be up to BGN 2, for those near settlements with > 10 000 residents – BGN 3, while at national resorts – BGN – 4. „These changes result from the government’s work and will change quality-wise the Bulgarian sea tourism product“, Nikolina Angelkova emphasized.

She explained that all expiring concessions will be granted under the new methodology. These include 15 large, highly visited beaches (Nessebar – old town, Dyuni, the three parts of the St. Vlas beach, etc.). Case-by-case discussions will be held for the existing contracts to implement the new rules. Responding to a reporter’s question, Minister Angelkova announced that more than 200 signals have already been placed alleging irregularities at the sea beaches. Some 160 of these were placed by telephone, and some 40 – by e-mail. The Ministry was alerted mostly about failure on the part of concessionaires/lessees to comply with the free area, as well as isolated cases relating to the cleanness of seas beaches. „Starting this week, we also have a mobile field group at the Black Sea to investigate incoming signals about the sea beaches“, Nikolina Angelkova added.