Exploring the Beauty of Silistar Beach
Once upon a time, Todor Kolev sang about the beauty of the Black Sea, and indeed, its charm is undeniable. The sun shines brightly, the waves crash against the shore, and the views from some beaches are truly breathtaking.
One such beautiful spot for beachgoers is Silistar Beach. Located in the southernmost part of Bulgaria, this beach remains untouched by concrete, offering tourists a more rugged experience in nature. Its pristine beauty is likely preserved due to its location in a protected area, making it difficult for investors to turn the coastline into a construction site.
However, like any other place, Silistar Beach has its own set of challenges.
Controversial Beach Access Fee in Silistar
In recent days, social media has been flooded with posts from people who have tried to visit Silistar beach, only to be met with a “passing fee”. In order to reach the beach by car, visitors are required to pay 5 BGN, for which the company “Peev Invest” 2004 Ltd issues a receipt, as the road to the beach passes through private property.
A check in the Commercial Register shows that the company was registered at the end of April this year in Malko Tarnovo, and the sole owner is Martin Peev.
Access to Beaches: Who is Responsible?
In practice, the owner of the land through which one must pass to reach the beach has decided to charge all passers-by. According to Article 2, paragraph 1 of the Law on the Organization of the Black Sea Coast, citizens have the right to free and unrestricted access to the beaches. But who should ensure this access – the municipality of the territory where the beach is located or the Ministry of Tourism as the body responsible for leasing/concessioning the beaches?
Economic.bg spoke with the mayor of Tsarevo municipality – Marin Kirov – who says that “responsibility is shared between municipalities and the Ministry of Tourism. Municipalities are responsible for ensuring public access to beaches within their territory, while the Ministry of Tourism oversees the leasing and concessioning of beaches.”
Ensuring Beach Access in Tsarevo Municipality
The municipality of Tsarevo is committed to ensuring access to the beach, despite not being the beach owner. We have initiated a procedure to construct a new road,” said Kirov. Due to the location of the beach in the Strandzha Natural Park – Silistar Protected Area, which has several protected habitats, numerous agreements and an ecological assessment are required, significantly delaying the process.
According to the mayor of the municipality, there will not be beach access for this season due to these necessary procedures.
New Road Planned to Connect to the Beach
A new road is being planned to connect the town to the beach for the upcoming season. Although the construction might not be completed in time for this year, it is certain that the road will be ready for the next season.
Procedure for New Road Started in Spring
The process of dividing the land for the new road began in the spring. This new road will bypass existing private properties to ensure a smooth connection to the beach. The owner of one of the properties along the current road has requested a land exchange, but the municipality has not yet approved the request.
Proposal for Property Exchange Rejected
The mayor of Tsarevo municipality explained that the owner of a piece of land wanted to exchange it for a more desirable property owned by the municipality. The new property would have the same building parameters, but would be located on the first line of the coast.
However, the mayor stated that they do not agree with this proposal for a property exchange. They do not want to be hostages in this situation, as the owner seems to be trying to take advantage of the circumstances to acquire a more valuable property with construction permits.
As of now, the Ministry of Tourism has not provided an official position on the matter. Economic.bg’s team has tried multiple times to reach out to them for a statement.
The Importance of Summer Vacation for Bulgarians
In Bulgarian popular psychology, summer vacation is considered a mandatory experience. Families often allocate a significant portion of their annual budget to be able to reach the seaside. The vacation is seen as a costly pleasure, but one that is highly valued by the Bulgarian people.
Despite the financial sacrifice, many Bulgarians prioritize their summer vacation, viewing it as a time for relaxation and rejuvenation. It is a period to escape the daily routine, connect with nature, and spend quality time with loved ones.
The Bulgarian tourism industry, driven by the motto “One day a year – where?” continues to attract visitors from all over the country. The beaches are a popular destination, with many tourists eager to enjoy the sun, sea, and sand that the Bulgarian coast has to offer.
The Dark Side of Tourism: Scams and Deception
When traveling to popular tourist destinations around the world, it is not uncommon to encounter various scams and deceptive practices aimed at taking advantage of unsuspecting travelers. While it may be expected in some resort areas, the prevalence of such practices can leave a negative impression on visitors.
In recent media reports, shocking practices have been exposed, revealing how some hoteliers and restaurant owners seem to prioritize deceiving tourists in order to extract money from them. This not only tarnishes the overall tourist experience, but also raises questions about the integrity of the tourism industry as a whole.
However, beyond the surface level scams, these incidents also highlight a deeper issue of disconnect between governmental institutions and their responsibilities in regulating and monitoring the tourism sector. It begs the eternal question: Who should bear the responsibility for ensuring the safety and well-being of travelers in the face of such deceptive practices?
Challenges with Beach Access in Bulgaria
The case of “Silistar” is not unique when it comes to difficult access to the beach. In 2019, NOVA reported on restricted access to the “Rusalka” beach. In 2017, BNT also highlighted the challenging access to the beach in “Albena”. The numerous unpleasant situations that we witness every summer along the Bulgarian Black Sea coast only prove one thing – until responsibility is taken for the destruction of the entire tourism sector, the situation will remain perpetually on a “if it goes, it goes” basis.
