FEATURE: "I'm looking for young people, but I can't find them." Coastal resorts, stuck in the past and undergoing "rehabilitation."

Saturday, Aug 23, 2025

Black Sea resorts see declining youth tourism, favoring older visitors; some areas improve while others lag.

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[This is an automatically generated summary, for reference only]

Saturn, Venus, and Jupiter have seen a decline in tourists this year, with most visitors being retirees, according to hotel managers and receptionists. While some areas remain unchanged, Olimp has become a notable exception, described as one of the coast’s gems. A similar transformation is noted in Bulgaria, where a resort adapted to retain tourists. Many locals recall a time when these resorts were vibrant with all ages, but now they are predominantly frequented by older visitors. The lack of youth is attributed to a scarcity of entertainment options like nightclubs and activities for younger crowds. While some areas have seen improvements through renovations funded partly by European money, the overall experience in Saturn, Venus, and Jupiter often lacks vibrancy compared to Olimp, which attracts families and various age groups due to private investment and good services. In contrast, the Bulgarian resort Slanchev Bryag (Sunny Beach) has successfully attracted all demographics, including young people, through privatization and adopting an all-inclusive model.


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