Bulgarias Seaside In For Long Summer The Telegraph 12/05/2008
Poor infrastructure, polluted beaches, low standards of construction, noisy building sites, poor service and bankruptcies will put Bulgaria's Black Sea resorts under pressure this summer, British newspaper The Telegraph reported on May 9. Problems with the power supply, refuse waters and pollution have persisted last summer and have made an appearance this year already, although the tourist season is yet to start properly, the paper said. "Much of the infrastructure along the coast – including power supplies – was built 20 years ago and was designed for far fewer holidaymakers. The water treatment system at Golden Sands can successfully service 15 000 people, but not the current 40 000," The Telegraph wrote. Despite re-assurances from local authorities that a host of projects... more

British Investors Advised To Look Abroad 04/04/2008
Property investors from the UK have been advised to look overseas if they wish to collect good returns. Homes Worldwide recommended that Britons avoid the domestic market as mortgage rates are rising while house prices are falling. The website has suggested that investing on the other side of the English Channel could be a more lucrative move, as the French market is currently experiencing growth. According to the website, house prices in France went up by four per cent last year, while their values are about a third cheaper than the UK. This means that investors could collect the proceeds of capital growth in a relatively cheap market. Furthermore, Homes Worldwide believes that France is holding firm in the face of global economic problems. The website said: "The market does not... more

Germans Rediscover Bulgaria As Holiday Destination 11/03/2008
Germans are once again starting to book Bulgarian holidays after a two-year withdrawal, Dnevnik daily reported on March 11. The positive signals came from the last week's International Tourism Bourse (ITB), the annual business-to-business industry event, the daily claimed. Industry experts said German bookings in Bulgaria should see a five-per-cent increase this year to around 400 000 in 2008. Statistics from Bourgas and Varna airports on the Black Sea showed that 390 000 German tourists came to the country on trips arranged by tour operators and that is considered the official figure, but the total number of Germans that landed in the two airports was 600 000. Three to four years ago, the number of German tourists peaked, but was followed by a significant drop as the German... more

2,3 Million People In Bulgaria Live In Poverty 24/04/2008
Almost 2,3 million people in Bulgaria live under the poverty limit which is 176,64 BGN (round 88 EUR) in Bulgaria. 15,6 % yearly is the increasing of the life maintenance, which is the biggest raise for the last 8 years and indicates record price getting up. The poverty limit, estimated according 77 goods and services, defined as vital important for the physical surviving is 176.86 BGN (88 EUR) per man. Under this limit remain 34% of the households in Bulgaria. The common income of a person in a household have increased with 7.4% for February 2008 compared to 2007 and have reached 244, 37 BGN (122, 18 EUR) which is hardly 54.5% of the necessary amount for monthly maintenance of a person. The average work salary have increased with 10.4% according to 2007 but the slow temp of the... more

Bulgaria Ranks After Spain And France In Real Estate Popularity 07/03/2008
Despite the lower property prices, Bulgaria ranks after France and Spain based on the popularity of the country as property destination for British investors. Nearly 43 per cent of the foreign property purchases occurred in the two countries, 999 Today reported. Australia ranks third with 11 per cent. Bulgaria remains fourth with 10 per cent, followed by the US with four per cent. Most British investors look for holiday property abroad, the online publication reported. Additional factors, increasing the appeal of property, include the availability of cheap flights and easy access to resorts. Bulgaria's expected EU membership attracts increasing number of property investors, representatives of Assetz real estate consultancy said. Once Bulgaria joins the union, property prices... more