Bulgaria's Tourism Shifts Toward Experience-Focused Stays as Demand Grows
Tourism in Bulgaria is increasingly shifting from traditional hotel stays to more experience-focused offerings
New mandatory pricing for plastic packaging for food and drinks has come into effect in Bulgaria today, under a new regulation. The updated minimum prices are set at 30 stotinki (15 euro cents) for bulk food containers and 15 stotinki for drink cups, including lids and caps. This change is part of the ongoing implementation of the Regulation aimed at reducing the environmental impact of certain plastic products, which became law in 2023. It aligns with the European Union's Directive (EC) 2019/904, which seeks to reduce marine litter, with single-use plastics contributing to 70% of this pollution.
However, despite the regulation's intent, there are concerns about its effectiveness in Bulgaria. No accessible alternatives are being offered to consumers, and retailers are not allowing customers to bring their own containers for bulk food. This situation stands in contrast to practices in other countries, where packaging-free zones in stores are being established and communication campaigns encourage the use of reusable containers. Some nations have also introduced deposit systems to reduce plastic waste. According to Gabriela Rumenova from "We, the Consumers," Bulgaria is lagging in these efforts.
Additionally, there have been reports of unfair commercial practices related to these regulations. Complaints from consumers reveal instances where they were charged for plastic packaging even when they opted for alternatives, such as when olives were placed in a non-plastic envelope. In some cases, pre-filled plastic boxes of products like olives and salads were sold without clear information on additional charges, leading to surprises when consumers checked their receipts. These practices violate the Consumer Protection Act, which mandates transparency in pricing and practices.
On February 15, the weather across the country will be mostly cloudy
The weather in Bulgaria on February 14 is expected to be cloudy with light winds
The weather in Bulgaria on Thursday, February 13, will be mostly cloudy, with light rain and snow showers expected in North Central Bulgaria during the morning hours
On February 12, Bulgaria will experience mostly sunny weather, though cloud cover will increase from the west in the afternoon
Temperatures across Bulgaria on February 11 will be notably low, with morning minimums ranging from minus 10 to minus 5 degrees Celsius
On February 10, Bulgaria is expected to experience mostly sunny weather with scattered clouds, particularly in Western Bulgaria
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