Package tour

Officials at TUI Russia believe that Bulgaria has all the chances to become the most sought-after destination for ??early booking by Russian tourists this summer, Travel Russian News reported on Friday.

Bulgaria has attracted more than 60% of the early bookings for the upcoming summer season, according to trn-news.ru.

Russia's Association of Tour Operators (ATOR) has said that travel agency Brisco will launch charter flights to Bulgaria's Black Sea resorts in the summer to compensate for lost sales of package tours to Egypt and Turkey, TASS has reported.

An escalating debt crisis that may force Greece?s banks to shut next week has only slightly dented tourists? appetite for island holidays in the country, with advance demand for package tours still robust, travel operators said this week.

Alternate Tourism Minister Elena Kountoura rejected press reports alleging that holidaymakers arriving in the country will face many difficulties, including empty ATMs.

By Paul Sandle

TUI Travel, Europe's biggest tour operator by revenues, reported a dip in the number of holidays sold for this summer, as the slow pace of economic recovery in much of the region offset a resurgence in the popularity of traveling to Greece.

European Parliament (EP) voted at first reading on Wednesday a draft law ensuring better protection of travellers who do not use the services of tourist agencies or package offers.