Bulgaria to step up security at seaside resorts this summer
Bulgaria will step up police presence and advice to hoteliers this summer to ensure greater security in places where increased numbers of foreign tourists are expected.
This is according to Interior Minister Tsvetlin Yovchev, who told an April 24 meeting of diplomats from countries which are major sources of foreign tourists that the 2013 summer season in Bulgaria had passed without serious crimes against foreign tourists.
Yovchev said that steps to improve security at Bulgaria’s Black Sea holiday destinations in summer 2014 would include more efficient organisation of police work, and measures such as security cameras and lighting.
“I think that the measures this year will be better than last year,” Yovchev said. “I hope that they ensure a greater level of security for foreign tourists and Bulgarian citizens.”
In 2013 there had been an increase of about 2.5 per cent in the number of foreign tourists visiting Bulgaria.
At the same time, there had been a drop in the number of thefts and lost possessions.
By far the most serious incident in Bulgaria in recent years was the July 2012 terrorist outrage against a group of Israeli tourists at Bourgas Airport.
In the terrorist attack, which an international investigation led by Bulgaria established was the work of the military wing of Hezbollah, five Israelis and a Bulgarian died, as well as the bearer of the bomb used against the tourist bus. About 30 people were injured in the attack.
Yovchev told the April 24 meeting that based on analysis of the terrorist attack, specific measures had been taken to ensure a greater level of security.
(Photo: Clive Leviev-Sawyer)
