Bulgarian hoteliers are faced with difficulties due to pressure by tour operators for lower accommodation prices and due to price rises reflecting higher oil prices, BTA reported.

Advertising and promotion are of prime importance, given the record-high oil prices, the Union of Investors in Tourism said.

The organization cited German media as saying that budget trips to Turkey, Egypt, Tunisia and Mallorca have been aggressively touted in the last few weeks. Prices vary between 380 and 430 euro a week, including air fare, double-room accommodation and breakfast. If Bulgaria had allocated at least 200,000 euro for advertising in Germany, the Black Sea would have attracted many tourists, the Union argues.

The investors in tourism called on municipal councils to order the suspension of construction works on April 15, 2009 so that tourists can start arriving in large numbers from May 1. Attractive offers in May would extend the season, now shortened by construction, according to the Union's Vice President Valentin Yossifov.

Based on German media stories, the Union concludes that however affordable prices are this summer, a German holidaymaker's air fare to Bulgaria costs between 50 and 70 euro more from May.