Campsites along Bulgaria’s Southern Black Sea coast are reporting a strong summer season, with operators noting shifts in visitor behavior.
While the number of first-time campers appears to be declining, seasoned campers are staying longer, according to campsite managers and visitors.
Many sites that opened early in the season plan to remain open until late September, with some extending operations into October. In Kiten, for example, campers are expected to remain through the next holiday weekend, with prices discounted by 50%.
For many vacationers, September offers an appealing balance of favorable weather, lower prices, and reduced crowds.
“We try to ride everything we can in the sea, we work a little, but without this summer here, I don’t know how I would have endured the winter. We extend it to the last,” said camper Nadezhda Dosheva, who noted her family typically departs just before the start of the school year.
Others echoed the appeal of late-season camping.
“After the hard exams I have – here is relaxation, I like it very much. I love to swim in the sea and to walk on the rocks, the river… It’s free, you’re not closed, and yes, I’m sad when I leave,” said veterinary medicine student Polina Ivanova to bTV Novinite.
Visitors from abroad are also taking advantage of the season, including Atanaska Kondareva from Munich and Hristiana Kisyova, who traveled from the United States to celebrate her birthday at the campsite.
According to campsite manager Todor Stamov, who oversees three facilities on the Southern Black Sea coast, demand was consistent throughout the summer.
“They come for more time. Our observations are that they are over 6-7 days, it is not just weekend tourism,” he said, noting that weekdays also saw steady occupancy.
Industry operators say the COVID-19 pandemic brought an influx of new campers and caravan owners, creating short-term overcrowding. However, many believe the market is stabilizing, with those most committed to the lifestyle continuing to return.
Looking ahead, operators are preparing for price increases of 15-20% for the 2026 summer season, citing ongoing maintenance and repair needs at their facilities.
For business owners in the outdoor hospitality sector, the Bulgarian case suggests that while novice interest may taper, loyalty among established campers can sustain occupancy, particularly when paired with flexible season extensions and pricing strategies.
