International News: Bulgaria yachting industry

Bulgaria strengthens yachting industry representation

By IBI Magazine/David Robinson. The Black Sea state of Bulgaria has strengthened its yachting and marine tourism sector through the formation of a new Association of Producers & Importers of Yachts. This new body comprises 16 companies engaged in manufacturing boats or the marketing of foreign yacht brands. Bulgaria is seen as a growing market and the past few years has seen investment put into a number of marina projects.

Based in Bourgas, the new association has the objective to defend and support the builders and distributors of all luxury yachts whether made domestically or internationally. The chairman is Lachezar Bratoey, who is already chairman of the Bulgarian Association of Yacht Ports and owns Transcommerce Yachtshop Ltd. He commented to the Sofia News Agency that: “It is a good opportunity to become a prestigious yacht destination and to attract wealthy tourists.”

In addition to these two organisations is the Bulgarian Sailing Federation, affiliated to ISAF, which has a membership of several sailing clubs and marinas. Over recent years the yachting sector both locally and from visitors has been growing steadily and it now has around half a dozen marinas and other projects at various stages. One of the most recent is Marina Black Sea, a Bulgarian-Dutch joint venture that provides up to 230 berths for yachts up to 25m (82ft).