Christmas – at home, New Year – around the world: the big trip has begun

This year, the holiday calendar presents us with a real gift — five days off around Christmas and another five around New Year, or a total of ten days of vacation. This is not only good news for the tourism industry, but also a chance for many to recharge their batteries. And such a break is more than timely — 2026 will start "with a bang" in the first days with the entry into the eurozone against the backdrop of unstable political situation. However, reservations for the holidays began as early as the summer, which shows that the Bulgarians are planning carefully. While Christmas remains mostly a family holiday, which most people prefer to spend at home, in a guest house or in a Bulgarian resort, the mood is different for the New Year ​​with eyes turned to foreign destinations - near and far, familiar or exotic, we learn from Pavlina Ilieva, chair of Future for Tourism Association:

"Turkey is among the most preferred destinations, if we talk about the area around us. There are charter flights to Antalya or Istanbul. Of course, Serbia and Greece are also popular destinations. But perhaps, distant destinations, as well as cruise trips hold the first place for New Year. There is a great demand for the Mediterranean Sea, the Caribbean, Thailand, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, etc. There are many reservations also for the European countries."

However, most Bulgarians will stay at home for Christmas, while the vacancies in the popular Bulgarian resorts are already running out. It turns out that the most desired houses and hotels were booked back in May and June - including by companies that had planned holiday events in advance, we learn from Pavlina Ilieva.

How does the Bulgarian tourist react to inflation and the upcoming entry into the eurozone?

"I would rather define it as a concern in connection with January, i.e. with the use of the two currencies. Despite the fact that travellers have been using euros for a long time and nothing will really change for them, the feeling of uncertainty remains. Most people who travel operate with various currencies and such a change should not create any particular discomfort. But there is another type of tension - economic. There is fear that prices might rise or that the process could fuel inflation. This type of concern is completely natural and is present in most people in such transitional moments," Pavlina Ilieva says.

Prices of holiday packages have risen by 6-7% compared to last year, which is considered a moderate increase and is not that stressful, given the forecasts of 10-15% growth that never materialized. Most holiday packages include transportation – bus, scheduled or charter flight, depending on the destination. And more:

"The client will have transfer from the plane to the hotel, if needed. They will have accommodation, medical insurance and a guide from the agency. These are standard things that are included in a package. There are also additional offers for New Year's Eve depending on the destination. For example, in most European cities people welcome the New Year in the square, so after 10 pm the dinner is over and people go out for a celebration. And those who are in countries such as Egypt, Tunisia, and Antalya, etc., stay in the hotels and accordingly the accommodation is all-inclusive. The dinner turns into festivities that continue until early dawn," Pavlina Ilieva says.

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