Camping and motorhome tourism on the rise: France and Bulgaria lead the trend

Firefighters and locals rescued a German family stuck in a camper on a forest road in Kardzhali region. Navigation led them to a rain-washed path. The tourists were escorted to the village of Kaloyantsi for the night.

An increasing number of Bulgarians are choosing camper van travel over traditional hotel holidays, according to Dimitar Peev, who rents out camper vans. Travelers value the flexibility to change routes spontaneously and stay closer to nature. Modern camper vans come equipped with beds, kitchens, heating, and refrigerators, making the experience accessible even for beginners through rentals. Regulations on wild camping in Bulgaria and neighboring countries are gradually being clarified.

Vetovo Municipality (Bulgaria) plans to participate in a project under the Interreg VI-A Romania-Bulgaria 2021-2027 program. The project includes building a bike path connecting the 'Green Harmony' project with Giurgiu Municipality and the village of Pisanets, restoring a hut in Pisanets, creating a bike workshop, and a permanent exhibition of Roman fort models. The Bulgarian Camper Association expressed interest in joining, proposing to equip a rest stop for motorhomes with electricity and water connections. The application deadline is June 30.

Bulgaria's Krapets-North beach, a Natura 2000 protected area, has banned vehicle access and caravan parking on its sand dunes. The measure aims to curb vandalism and pollution that plagued the site for years. Local business owners fear a drop in visitors, while residents report a cleaner and calmer environment. Cleaning costs for illegal dumps had exceeded 120,000 leva.

Authorities in the Bulgarian municipality of Shabla have restricted parking of cars and caravans on the sand dunes of Krapets-North beach, part of the Natura 2000 network. The measure aims to protect dune formations and reduce waste: the municipality annually removes over 500 tonnes of trash from wild camping sites, spending more than 120,000 leva on cleanup. Fines will be enforced from October 2026, with a warning period currently in place. Instances of damaged signs and fences have already been reported. Local opinions are divided: some support the restrictions, others fear a decline in tourism and harm to local businesses. Authorities are reviewing applications for legal camping areas with infrastructure.

Ralitsa Asenova, mother of the deceased Nikolay Zlatkov, presented photos of the camper on the show 'Tazi Nedelya', claiming they clearly show bullet holes inconsistent with the official narrative. She said the images came from an anonymous source. Asenova also stated that the family has been denied access to the ballistic report for the Okolchitsa incident and has not received the promised color photo album from the scene.