„Ultimul†hotel din Albena - info albena
„Ultimul†hotel din Albena - info albena
„Ultimul†hotel din Albena - info albena
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ALBENA MAGAZINE SEPTEMBRIE 2009
ALBENA MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2009<br />
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ALBENA MAGAZINE SEPTEMBRIE 2009<br />
<strong>Albena</strong> este una <strong>din</strong>tre cele mai frumoase<br />
sta]iuni de pe litoralul M`rii Negre.<br />
<strong>Albena</strong> este locul unde marea se<br />
întâlne[te cu nisipul. Sta]iunea este o<br />
delectare pentru toate vârstele – cu fâ[ii<br />
de nisip [i o mare cristalin`. <strong>Albena</strong> ofer`<br />
fiec`ruia câte ceva.<br />
<strong>Albena</strong>, cu plaja ei de 6 km, este situat`<br />
la 30 de km de capitala maritim` a<br />
Bulgariei – ora[ul Varna. Sta]iunea v`<br />
ofer` peste 14 900 locuri de cazare în 43<br />
<strong>hotel</strong>uri (2 – 4 stele), a[ezate pe malul<br />
m`rii sau pe dealurile apropiate cu vederi<br />
impresionante spre mare [i rezerva]ia<br />
na]ional` “Baltata”. Hotelurile sunt dotate<br />
cu tot confortul: televiziune prin cablu,<br />
linii telefonice, restaurante, baruri,<br />
internet, servicii medicale, rent-a-car, s`li<br />
pentru congrese, piscine, servicii sportive<br />
[.a.<br />
ORA:<br />
Ora este +2 dup` Greenwich, [i +1 dup`<br />
Europa central`.<br />
CURENTUL ELECTRIC:<br />
Tensiunea electric` a re]elei este 220 V, iar<br />
frecven]a – 50 Hz.<br />
LEGåTURI TELEFONICE:<br />
Din <strong>hotel</strong>ul Dvs. pute]i lua leg`tur` telefonic`<br />
cu oricine dori]i, formând codul ]`rii [i a<br />
ora[ului. Pute]i s` v` cump`ra]i [i o cartel`<br />
de telefon public.<br />
PAßAPOARTE ßI VIZE:<br />
Cet`]enii <strong>din</strong> ]`rile care fac parte <strong>din</strong><br />
Uniunea European` [i EFTA nu au nevoie<br />
de vize.<br />
POßTA:<br />
Se afl` lâng` cl`direa Administra]iei [i este<br />
deschis` zilnic de la ora 8.00 pân` la ora<br />
17.00.<br />
Vederile [i scrisorile le pute]i l`sa la recep]ia<br />
<strong>hotel</strong>ului sau pune în cutiile po[tale ale<br />
sta]iunii.<br />
BåNCI:<br />
B`ncile func]ioneaz` de luni pân` vineri<br />
inclusiv, între orele 9.00 [i 16.00. Este bine<br />
s` ave]i pa[aportul la Dvs., care v` poate fi<br />
necesar la schimbul valutar sau la achitarea<br />
cecurilor. În unele <strong>hotel</strong>uri exist` [i<br />
bancomate.<br />
CåR¥I DE CREDIT:<br />
În <strong>hotel</strong>urile mai mari, la punctele de închiriat<br />
automobile, în unele restaurante [i centre<br />
comerciale pute]i folosi principalele c`r]i de<br />
credit interna]ionale. Informa]ii despre ce fel<br />
de c`r]i de credit se admit pute]i g`si pe<br />
sticherele <strong>din</strong> vitrinele magazinelor [i ale<br />
<strong>hotel</strong>urilor.<br />
VALUTå:<br />
Valuta bulgar` se nume[te LEV, care este<br />
Info<br />
alc`tuit <strong>din</strong> 100 stotinki. Toate pl`]ile se<br />
efectueaz` în valuta na]ional`. Bancnotele<br />
sunt de 1, 2, 10, 20, 50 [i 100 de leva, iar<br />
monedele de 1, 2, 5, 20 [i 50 de stotinki. Se<br />
recomand` ca schimbul valutar s` fie<br />
efectuat la birourile de schimb, la recep]ia<br />
<strong>hotel</strong>ului, la aeroport sau la banc`.<br />
FARMACII:<br />
Func]ioneaz` între orele 8.00 [i 20.00, îns`<br />
exist` [i farmacii cu program non-stop.<br />
Pentru o <strong>info</strong>rma]ie mai precis` adresa]i-v`<br />
recep]iei de la <strong>hotel</strong>.<br />
APA:<br />
Apa de la robinet este potabil`, dar con]ine<br />
mult clor, de aceea v` recomand`m apa<br />
mineral` îmbuteliat`.<br />
PLAJA:<br />
Toate plajele sunt gratuite pentru oaspe]ii<br />
sta]iunii, numai umbrelele [i [ezlongurile se<br />
pl`tesc.<br />
POPULA¥IA:<br />
Popula]ia Bulgariei este aproximativ de 8<br />
milioane locuitori, în capitala ]arii, Sofia, sunt<br />
aproape 1,5 milioane de locuitori, iar în<br />
capitala maritim` Varna – 450000.<br />
LIMBA:<br />
Limba oficial` este limba bulgar`,<br />
apar]inând familiei limbilor slave.<br />
RELIGIA:<br />
Religia principal` în Bulgaria este cre[tin<br />
ortodox` de r`s`rit.<br />
Mai exist` [i popula]ie de alt` cre<strong>din</strong>]` –<br />
islamism, catolicism, iudaism [.a.<br />
SåRBåTORI OFICIALE:<br />
1 ianuarie – Anul nou;<br />
3 martie – Ziua na]ional` a ]`rii;<br />
1 mai – Ziua muncii (Ziua solidarit`]ii<br />
muncitore[ti);<br />
6 mai – Sf.Gheorghi, Ziua armatei bulgare;<br />
24 mai – Ziua scrierii slave [i a culturii<br />
bulgare;<br />
6 septembrie – Ziua Unirii Bulgariei;<br />
22 septembrie – Ziua Independen]ei;<br />
1 noiembrie – Ziua renascenti[tilor bulgari;<br />
25 decembrie – Cr`ciunul<br />
SEIF:<br />
Ca s` v` sim]i]i bine [i s` fi]i lini[ti]i, v`<br />
recomand`m insistent s` v` depune]i<br />
lucrurile de valoare [i actele într-un seif de la<br />
recep]ia <strong>hotel</strong>ului Dvs. In caz de pierdere sau<br />
furt, v` sf`tuim s` v` adresa]i poli]iei sau<br />
ghidului Dvs. Ca s` evita]i eventualele<br />
nepl`ceri, v` recomand`m s` nu lua]i cu<br />
Dvs. pe plaj` acte, bani [i obiecte de<br />
valoare.<br />
RESTAURANTE:<br />
Func]ioneaz` între orele 12.00 [i 23.00, iar<br />
unele <strong>din</strong> ele – pân` sunt clien]i. În meniul<br />
restaurantelor sunt prezente atât specialit`]i<br />
bulg`re[ti, cât [i interna]ionale.<br />
MAGAZINE:<br />
În sta]iune magazinele sunt deschise în<br />
fiecare zi, inclusiv sâmb`t` [i duminic`.<br />
Programul lor de lucru este între orele 9.00<br />
[i 21.00.
<strong>Albena</strong><br />
ALBENA MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2009<br />
TRANSPORTURI<br />
Taxiuri: Pute]i comanda un taxi prin telefon<br />
fie de la <strong>hotel</strong>, fie de la bar, de asemenea [i<br />
pe strad`, este suficient doar s` ridica]i<br />
mâna. Taximetrele <strong>din</strong> <strong>Albena</strong> au însemne<br />
speciale. Informa]i-v` în prealabil despre<br />
pre]urile acestor servicii cu ajutorul<br />
stickerelor, lipite pe geamurile taxiurilor.<br />
Autobuzelede la cluburile All Inclusive pân`<br />
la plaj` [i înapoi circul` la fiecare 30 min<br />
(în fiecare zi, între orele 10 – 17.30).<br />
Trenule]ele circul` în fiecare zi, între orele<br />
8.00 [i 20.00.<br />
<strong>Albena</strong> is one of the most beautiful sea<br />
resorts on the Bulgarian seaside . <strong>Albena</strong> is<br />
the place where the sea meets the sand .<br />
The resort is a delight to people of all ages.<br />
With the sand lines, and the crystal sea,<br />
<strong>Albena</strong> offers a pleasure to every taste.<br />
<strong>Albena</strong> is situated only 30 km away from<br />
Bulgaria’s sea capital Varna. The resort is<br />
remarkable for its 6-km long beach. It has<br />
over 14 900 beds in 43 <strong>hotel</strong>s (2 to 4 stars),<br />
situated at the very beach or at the<br />
picturesque hills with exciting views of the<br />
sea and the “Balata” National Reserve.<br />
Hotels are equipped with all modern<br />
facilities: cable TV, telephone lines,<br />
restaurants, bars, Internet cafes, medical<br />
services, rent-a-car, congress halls,<br />
swimming pools, sports services, etc.<br />
TIME:<br />
Greenwich time + 2 hours, Central<br />
European Time + 1 hour<br />
ELECTRICITY:<br />
220 V., 50 Hz.<br />
PHONE CALLS:<br />
You may contact the number you want by<br />
directly dialing the relevant country and area<br />
code from the phone in your room. By using<br />
a phone card you can make an international<br />
call from a public telephone too.<br />
PASSPORTS & VISAS:<br />
No visas are required for the citizens of<br />
European Union and EFTA member<br />
countries to enter Bulgaria.<br />
POST OFFICE:<br />
You may drop your post cards and letters at<br />
the Reception desk at your <strong>hotel</strong> or put them<br />
in the post boxes in the resort. <strong>Albena</strong>’s Post<br />
Office is situated in the central area.<br />
BANKS:<br />
Banks are opened Monday to Friday, from<br />
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. You will need your passport<br />
for cashing cheques or exchanging<br />
currency. There are also ATMs at some of<br />
the <strong>Albena</strong> <strong>hotel</strong>s.<br />
CREDIT CARDS:<br />
The main international credit cards are<br />
accepted at the big <strong>hotel</strong>s, shopping centers,<br />
the car hire offices and some restaurants. The<br />
stickers on the shop-windows or at the <strong>hotel</strong><br />
entrances will provide you with <strong>info</strong>rmation<br />
as to which credit cards are accepted.<br />
MONEY:<br />
The Bulgarian LEV consists of 100 stotinki.<br />
All payments should be made in the national<br />
currency. There are bank notes of 1, 2, 5,<br />
10, 20 and 50 Lev, and coins of 1, 2, 5, 10,<br />
20 and 50 stotinki.<br />
The exchange rate is fixed at 1 Lev = 1.9553<br />
Euro. It is advisable the exchange of foreign<br />
currency to be made at change bureaus or<br />
at a bank.<br />
PHARMACY:<br />
Usually is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. There<br />
is also a 24-hour pharmacy. You will be<br />
provided with more detailed <strong>info</strong>rmation at<br />
the reception desk in your <strong>hotel</strong>.<br />
WATER:<br />
Tap water is chlorinated but completely<br />
suitable to drink. Still, better drink bottled<br />
mineral water.<br />
BEACH:<br />
All beaches are free. You will only be<br />
charged for using deckchairs and parasols.<br />
POPULATION:<br />
The population of Bulgaria is about 8 000<br />
000 people, 1 150 000 million live in the<br />
capital, 450 000 people live in the sea<br />
capital – Varna.<br />
OFFICIAL LANGUAGE:<br />
Bulgarian, belonging to the Slavonic<br />
language group.<br />
RELIGION:<br />
Majority - Eastern Orthodox; other -<br />
Catholicism, Judaism, Islam, etc.<br />
OFFICIAL HOLIDAYS<br />
1 January - New year’s Day<br />
3 March – The National Holiday<br />
12 April - Easter Monday<br />
1 May - Labor Day<br />
6 May - St. George’s Day<br />
24 May - Cyrillic Alphabet and Slavonic<br />
Culture Day<br />
6 September - Union Day<br />
22 September - Independence Day<br />
1 November – Day of the National Leaders<br />
24, 25 December - Christmas<br />
SAFE:<br />
It is recommended to keep valuables and<br />
documents in the safe you will be provided<br />
at the <strong>hotel</strong> reception. In case of any loss or<br />
theft, please approach your guide. When<br />
going to the beach you are advised not to<br />
take documents, money or valuables with<br />
you.<br />
RESTAURANTS:<br />
The menu includes mostly dishes of both the<br />
Bulgarian and the European cuisine.<br />
Restaurants are usually open from 07.30<br />
a.m. to 10.00 p.m. Some of them may be<br />
open as long as there are guests.<br />
SHOPS:<br />
Shops in the resort are open every day,<br />
inclu<strong>din</strong>g Saturday and Sunday. They work<br />
from 9 a.m. till 9 p.m.<br />
TRANSPORTATION<br />
Taxi:<br />
You can call a taxi from the <strong>hotel</strong> or from the<br />
bar. You only have to raise your hand for<br />
calling a taxi in the street. Taxis in <strong>Albena</strong><br />
have special marks. Before you get into the<br />
car, please read the prices of the service on<br />
the stickers at the side windshields of the cars.<br />
BUSSES:<br />
From the All Inclusive clubs to the beach and<br />
back every 30 minutes (every day from 10<br />
– 17.30).<br />
MINI TRAINS:<br />
Every day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.<br />
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ALBENA MAGAZINE SEPTEMBRIE 2009<br />
Numele sta]iunii provine de la protagonista unei povestiri scris` de scriitorul bulgar Yordan Yovkov, o femeie de o frumuse]e rar`,<br />
pe nume <strong>Albena</strong>. Având plajele certificate “Blue Flag”, <strong>Albena</strong> este renumit` pentru apele minerale terapeutice folosite în centrele<br />
SPA. Când spui <strong>Albena</strong>, spui calitate, rafinament, elegan]`, servicii. <strong>Albena</strong> este o sta]iune pentru toate gusturile, are ceva de oferit<br />
pentru fiecare turist, indiferent de standarde. Centrele SPA, cu prec`dere cele de la Hotel Dobrudja [i, mai nou, Flamingo Grand<br />
ofer` peste 120 de proceduri medicale, în special cosmetice [i de între]inere, bazate pe factori naturali, toate puse în aplicare de<br />
personal calificat.
Pentru iubitorii de sporturi acvatice,<br />
<strong>Albena</strong> ofer` numeroase astfel de<br />
activit`]i precumski nautic, pescuit<br />
subacvatic, yachting, surf, parasailling,<br />
scufund`ri atât pentru adul]i cât [i pentru<br />
copii, cart nautic etc. Arhitectura<br />
<strong>hotel</strong>urilor, introducerea conceptelor de<br />
all inclusive [i ultra all inclusive împreun`<br />
cu promovarea f`cut` pe plan<br />
interna]ional au adus litoralul bulg`resc<br />
la standarde ce se reg`sesc la destina]ii<br />
de litoral precum cele <strong>din</strong> Grecia, Turcia,<br />
Spania, etc.<br />
Raportul calitate-pre] este foarte bun dac`<br />
stam s` analiz`m serviciile prestate [i<br />
pre]ul acestora. De asemenea, se<br />
ALBENA MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2009<br />
ALBENA<br />
remarc` o foarte bun` între]inere a<br />
plajelor [i o încadrare excelent` a<br />
construc]iilor în aspectul peisagistic. De[i<br />
sta]iune de litoral, beneficiaz` de o<br />
vegeta]ie abundent`, care asigur`<br />
permanent oxigenarea aerului s`rat<br />
adus de curen]ii marini. Fa]` de alte<br />
sta]iuni de litoral, <strong>Albena</strong> are ca<br />
avantaj peisagistic structura<br />
reliefului, care d` un<br />
character aparte zonei<br />
paradisul<br />
prin prezen]a mun]ilor<br />
calcaro[i, ce încep s` se<br />
arate la o distan]` de<br />
aproximativ 400 m de<br />
linia m`rii, uneori chiar<br />
mai pu]in.<br />
Iat~ c~ se poate...<br />
de lângã` noi<br />
De[i sta]iunea este destul<br />
de mic`, impresioneaz`<br />
grija cu care sunt abordate<br />
toate detaliile. Plaje private,<br />
nisipul îngrijit [i nivelat in fiecare<br />
zi, <strong>hotel</strong>uri all inclusive [i ultra all<br />
inclusive, servicii de o calitate<br />
irepro[abil`, mâncarea servit` la<br />
restaurant satisface pân` [i cele mai<br />
rafinate gusturi, o foarte mare varietate în<br />
ceea ce prive[te distrac]ia. {i aici vorbim<br />
despre restaurante cu specific<br />
argentinian, bulg`resc, mexican, [i multe<br />
altele. De asemenea prezen]a cluburilor<br />
de noapte [i a discotecilor completeaz`<br />
peisajul nocturn pigmentat de culoare<br />
datorit` piscinelor aferente <strong>hotel</strong>urilor [i a<br />
magazinelor de suveniruri. Staff-ul<br />
Albenei, compus în majoritate <strong>din</strong><br />
persoane tinere, a avut grij` s` fac` în<br />
a[a fel încât to]i turi[tii prezen]i aici s` se<br />
simt` bine, indiferent de categoria de<br />
vârst` <strong>din</strong> care ace[tia fac parte [i<br />
indiferent de na]ionalitatea acestora.<br />
Astfel, pentru amatorii de muzic` sudamerican`<br />
exist` barul “Bailando” în<br />
cadrul <strong>hotel</strong>ului Flamingo Grand ***** 7
8<br />
unde se pot servi preparate tradi]ionale<br />
argentiniene, iar pentru doritorii de dans<br />
exist` cupluri de dansatori argentinieni<br />
împreun` cu orchestra aferent`, care<br />
satisface toate tipurile de gusturi în<br />
materie de muzic` sud-american`.<br />
Nimic nu este l`sat la voia întâmpl`rii,<br />
b`uturile tradi]ionale argentiniene<br />
împreun` cu decorurile restaurantului sunt<br />
complementare preparatelor culinare<br />
existente aici. Mânc`rurile preg`tite [i<br />
servite în cadrul acestui restaurant<br />
abund` în mirodenii [i ulei de m`sline<br />
ceea ce le face comparabile cu<br />
preparatele culinare preg`tite de francezi<br />
sau italieni. Restaurantul Havana, situat<br />
pe plaj`, ofer` turi[tilor amatori de<br />
mâncare cubanez` nu numai preparatele<br />
culinare ale acestora ci [i programe<br />
artistice oferite de cânt`re]i [i dansatori<br />
originari <strong>din</strong> Cuba.<br />
Ca [i în restul sta]iunii, [i aici calitatea este<br />
cea care primeaz`. De la an la an, prin<br />
eforturi sus]inute, <strong>Albena</strong> aduce un plus<br />
de nou pentru to]i turi[tii, acest lucru fiind<br />
unul <strong>din</strong> principalele motive pentru care,<br />
indiferent de câte ori petreci o vacan]`<br />
aici, ]i se pare ca vii pentru prima oar`.<br />
Amatorii de picanterii culinare [i nu<br />
numai se pot delecta în voie în cadrul<br />
restaurantului Tex-Mex, restaurant<br />
tradi]ional mexican. Pe lâng` clasicul<br />
buritto, taco sau salsa aici se poate
degusta în voie b`utura apreciat`<br />
oriunde în lume, f`cut` <strong>din</strong> agave,<br />
Tequilla.Apetitul este sus]inut de orchestra<br />
de mexicani care cânt` pentru cei<br />
prezen]i aici piese tradi]ionale mexicane.<br />
A[a cum ne-am obi[nuit, deja, avem de a<br />
face cu un restaurant de calibru precum<br />
nivelul sta]iunii <strong>Albena</strong>.<br />
Unicitatea Albenei este sus]inut` pe plan<br />
turistic de Hotelul Kaliakra Superior,<br />
primul <strong>hotel</strong> <strong>din</strong> Bulgaria care a introdus<br />
conceptul de ultra all inclusive, familiar<br />
pân` acum doar în Turcia. Hotelul<br />
Flamingo Grand, singurul <strong>din</strong> <strong>Albena</strong><br />
clasificat la cinci stele, câ[tig`torul<br />
premiului pentru cel mai bun <strong>hotel</strong> <strong>din</strong><br />
Bulgaria. Dat în folosin]` pe 20 iunie<br />
2008, Flamingo Grand aduce un plus de<br />
confort [i arhitectur` în peisajul Albenei.<br />
De asemenea, î[i aduce contribu]ia [i la<br />
via]a de noapte a sta]iunii prin prezen]a<br />
unui night clubla subsol [i a unei crame<br />
unde se pot degusta cele mai alese vinuri<br />
ale Bulgariei. Centrul SPA de la etajul 3<br />
asigur` confortul [i relaxarea celor care<br />
apeleaz` la acest gen de servicii. Hotel<br />
de business, Flamingo Grand este deschis<br />
pe toat` perioada anului având un<br />
amfiteatru cu o capacitate de 320 de<br />
locuri [i 5 s`li pentru conferin]e. De<br />
asemenea oaspe]ii <strong>hotel</strong>ului beneficiaz`<br />
de internet wireless în toate locurile<br />
publice adiacente. 9
10<br />
ALBENA MAGAZINE SEPTEMBRIE 2009<br />
ALBENA<br />
the paradise<br />
near us<br />
The<br />
name of<br />
the resort<br />
comes from the main<br />
character of the story written by<br />
the bulgarian author, Yordan Yovkov,<br />
which was a woman of an unseen<br />
beauty by the name of <strong>Albena</strong>. Having<br />
’Blue flag’ certified beaches, <strong>Albena</strong> is<br />
renown for the therapeutic mineral<br />
waters which are used in the SPA<br />
centers. When you think of <strong>Albena</strong> you<br />
think of quality, refinement and<br />
elegance. <strong>Albena</strong> is a resort for all<br />
tastes, it has something to offer to<br />
every tourist, regardeless of the<br />
standards. The SPA centers, like the<br />
one at the Dobroja Hotel or the more<br />
recently built Flamingo Grand,<br />
offersover 120 cosmetic and healthcare<br />
treatments, using natural ingredients,<br />
all perfomed by trained personel.<br />
For those who love aquatic sports, <strong>Albena</strong><br />
offers a large variety of such activities, like<br />
water-ski, underwater fishing, yachting,<br />
surfing, parasiling, underwater diving for<br />
both adults and children, and nautic<br />
carting. The design of the <strong>hotel</strong>s, the<br />
introduction of the all-inclusive and ultra<br />
all inclusive concepts along with the<br />
promotional activities made abroad have<br />
raised the Bulgarian seaside resorts to the<br />
standard of the ones in Greece, Turkey or<br />
Spain. The price-value ratio is very<br />
good if we are to analize the<br />
services that are being<br />
offered and their prices.<br />
The beach maintenance<br />
is good and the<br />
constructions fit in<br />
excelently in the<br />
scenary. Even<br />
though it is a seaside<br />
resort, <strong>Albena</strong> has a<br />
lot of vegetation<br />
which constantly<br />
oxigenates the salty<br />
air brought by the<br />
marine currents.<br />
<strong>Albena</strong>’s main<br />
advantage in front of other<br />
resorts is the structure of its<br />
relief, which gives the whole<br />
area a unique look due to the<br />
presence of the mountains carved out<br />
of limestone which can be seen from 400<br />
metres from the shoreline.<br />
It is possible
Even though the resort is rather small, the<br />
attention to details is impressive. Private<br />
beaches, sand that is leveled and<br />
maintained everyday, allinclusive and<br />
ultra all-inclusive <strong>hotel</strong>s, exceptional<br />
services, food served at the restaurants<br />
that could satisfy the most refined of tastes<br />
and a large variety of entertainment<br />
activities, this is what you can find here.<br />
You can find restaurants which serve<br />
Argentinian, Bulgarian and Mexican<br />
traditional foods. The presence of<br />
nightclubs and discos completes the<br />
nocturnal peisage of the resort along with<br />
the <strong>hotel</strong> swimming pools and the<br />
souvenir shops. The staff of <strong>Albena</strong> is<br />
mostly composed out of young people,<br />
which will tend to the needs of all turists,<br />
so that all will feel welcome, regardless of<br />
age and nationality. For those that love<br />
South American music the ’Bailando’ Bar<br />
of the Flamingo Grand ***** offers a<br />
large variety of Argentinian foods and<br />
has professional musicians and dansers<br />
that can entertain the customers.<br />
Every little detail is taken into account. The<br />
traditional Argentinian drinks along with<br />
the restaurants’s decorations complete the<br />
delicious food types served. The food<br />
contains all sorts of exotic spices and olive<br />
oil and can easily compete with Italian<br />
and French cuisine. The Havana<br />
Restaurant, situated on the beach, not<br />
only offers tourists traditional Cuban food,<br />
but has a large variety of artistic<br />
programs performed by dancers and<br />
musicians form Cuba. Like in all the resort,<br />
quality comes first here too. Every year,<br />
due to constant efforts, <strong>Albena</strong> manages<br />
to bring something new for all tourists.<br />
This is one of the main reasons for which<br />
you always feel you are here for the first<br />
time, no mather how many vacations you<br />
have spent here.<br />
Those that like having things spicy can<br />
enjoy themselves at the Tex-Mex<br />
traditional Mexican Restaurant. Besides<br />
the classic burito, taco and salsa, you can<br />
drink the world famous liquor made out<br />
of agaves, Tequilla. The traditional atmo -<br />
sphere is created by the Mexican<br />
orchestra that play for those who choose<br />
to eat here. As expected, this is a high<br />
class restaurant, like all the services<br />
offered in <strong>Albena</strong>. Another thing that<br />
makes <strong>Albena</strong> unique in the seaside<br />
resort scenery of Bulgaria is the Caliacra<br />
Superior Hotel, which was the first <strong>hotel</strong><br />
in Bulgaria to introduce the ultra allinclusive<br />
concept, which at the time was<br />
only used in Turkey and Greece. The<br />
Flamingo Grand Hotel, the only five star<br />
<strong>hotel</strong> in <strong>Albena</strong> has won the price for best<br />
<strong>hotel</strong> in Bulgaria. Opened on the 20th of<br />
June 2008, the Flamingo Grand is a<br />
superb adition to <strong>Albena</strong>, with its unique<br />
architecture and the confort it offers. It also<br />
contributes to the resort’s night life, as it<br />
has its own nightclub, located at the<br />
basement. It also has a winery where you<br />
can taste Bulgaria’s finest wines. The SPA<br />
center at the 3rd floor, ensures that those<br />
who choose these services will have a<br />
comfortable and relaxing stay at the <strong>hotel</strong>.<br />
Being a business <strong>hotel</strong>, the Flaming<br />
ALBENA MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2009<br />
Grand is open all year, having an<br />
amphitheatre with a capacity of 320<br />
people and 5 conference halls. The guests<br />
can benefit from a wireless internet<br />
connection.<br />
Tourist sites<br />
The Baltata Natural Reservation enriches<br />
<strong>Albena</strong>’s natural scenery. Having a<br />
surface of 198 hectares it could be<br />
considered a real delta, on the Batov<br />
River. The reservation is host to over 250<br />
different plant species, out of which 28<br />
are protected by law, and 100 of them<br />
are medicinal plants. Here you can find<br />
over 300 species of unvertebrates, some<br />
of them being indigenous to this area.<br />
Here there are 183 different types of<br />
birds, out of which 167 are protected by<br />
law. and animals. Here you can admire<br />
the rare osprey and the heron, just to<br />
name a few of the magnificent birds<br />
found in the reservation. The ’Calm<br />
Nest’Castle in Balcic, found at 9 km<br />
from<strong>Albena</strong> is famous for the its historical<br />
importance and for the beautiful botanical<br />
garden around it, containing an<br />
impressive collection of cactus plants,<br />
making it unique in all of Central and<br />
Eastern Europe. The castle was the<br />
favored residence of Queen Mary of<br />
Romania. Know as the ’White City’,<br />
Balcic was built on the site of the ancient<br />
Greek city of Dionissopolis. The first<br />
records mentioning the city are 2600<br />
years old, Balcic is one of the main<br />
attractions on the Black Sea coast, along<br />
with Cape Caliacra and the city of<br />
Nessebar<br />
Cape Caliacra, found at 45 km from<br />
<strong>Albena</strong>, pierces 2 km into the Black Sea,<br />
having an altitude of 60 m. It is formed by<br />
limestone cliffs and is an important part of<br />
the ’Silver Coast’. In antiquity, Cape<br />
Caliacra was named Tirisis and was the<br />
second largest fortress after Tomis.<br />
Nowadays you can find a museum which<br />
contains a model of the old fortress.You<br />
can still see the ruins of the old gate,<br />
churches, fountains or communal baths.<br />
From here you can belucky enough to<br />
spot 3 species of dolphins from the Black<br />
Sea and birds like the sea gull. 11
12<br />
ALBENA MAGAZINE SEPTEMBRIE 2009
ALBENA MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2009<br />
25% <strong>din</strong>tre turi[tii Albenei sunt români<br />
Interviu cu Margita Todorova, directorul de<br />
sales [i marketing al sta]iunii <strong>Albena</strong><br />
- Sunte]i directorul de sales [i<br />
marketing al Albenei [i lucra]i<br />
pentru aceast` sta]iune de aproape<br />
30 de ani... Care sunt, în opinia<br />
dumneavoastr`, principalele<br />
argumente care vin în favoarea<br />
atragerii turi[tilor <strong>din</strong> toat` lumea<br />
[i în special <strong>din</strong> România c`tre<br />
<strong>Albena</strong>?<br />
- <strong>Albena</strong> tocmai a împlinit, pe 24 august,<br />
40 de ani de existen]`, atât ca sta]iune, cât<br />
[i ca societate. Deci putem spune c` avem<br />
o mare experien]` despre cum s` servim [i<br />
s` mul]umim clien]ii. Pentru a te bucura de<br />
succes în acest domeniu, trebuie s` dai<br />
dovad` de deschidere c`tre clien]i [i s` le<br />
satisfaci a[tept`rile. Standardele noastre<br />
foarte bune [i excelentul raport calitate-pre]<br />
sunt dovedite de faptul c` foarte mul]i <strong>din</strong>tre<br />
clien]ii no[tri se întorc aici de mai multe ori.<br />
Ponderea celor care revin este între 35 [i<br />
40%.<br />
- <strong>Albena</strong> are 40 de ani de existen]`,<br />
deci o istorie în spate. Ce ne pute]i<br />
spune despre evolu]ia acestei<br />
sta]iuni? A fost creat` pentru<br />
turi[tii bulgari sau pentru cei<br />
str`ini?<br />
- Pentru turi[tii str`ini. La acea vreme, era<br />
orientat` în special c`tre pia]a ruseasc`,<br />
sovietic`. Arhitectura a reu[it s` creeze un<br />
produs foarte bun [i sta]iunea a ob]inut, în<br />
1970, cel mai mare premiu al statului<br />
bulgar în domeniu - “Premiul Dimitrov”. A<br />
doua etap` de evolu]ie a Albenei a fost în<br />
1973. În 4 ani, au fost construite 43 de<br />
<strong>hotel</strong>uri. În acest sens a fost creat` în mod<br />
special o companie de construc]ii în ora[ul<br />
Dobrich, pentru a produce toate<br />
materialele. Hotelurile erau construite în stil<br />
piramidal. Ulterior, potrivit noilor proiecte,<br />
<strong>hotel</strong>urile au fost construite în mod clasic. O<br />
alt` particularitate a Albenei este aceea c`<br />
Margita Todorova are o carier` strâns<br />
legat` de turism [i de... <strong>Albena</strong>. A<br />
absolvit Facultatea de Turism <strong>din</strong><br />
cadrul Universit`]ii Varna, care, la<br />
acea vreme, se numea “Economia<br />
turismului”. Imediat dup` absolvire, în<br />
1980, a început s` lucreze pentru<br />
sta]iunea <strong>Albena</strong>, ca specialist în<br />
restaura]ie. Apoi a fost promovat` ca<br />
sales [i advertising manager pentru<br />
spa. Din 1990 lucreaz` la<br />
departamentele de marketing [i sales,<br />
fiind numit` director al<br />
departamentului în 1996. Este<br />
membru al board-ului hol<strong>din</strong>gului<br />
<strong>Albena</strong> [i al Consiliului Director al<br />
sta]iunii.<br />
toate <strong>hotel</strong>urile sunt îndreptate c`tre mare [i<br />
camerele la fel. Bineîn]eles c` <strong>hotel</strong>urile de<br />
lâng` mare sunt avantajate, dar [i<br />
<strong>hotel</strong>urile <strong>din</strong> zona verde, mai îndep`rtate<br />
de plaj`, au vedere tot spre mare.<br />
- Care a fost evolu]ia pie]elor<br />
emitente de turi[ti de-a lungul<br />
anilor?<br />
- Structura pie]elor emitente s-a schimbat<br />
de-a lungul timpului. În anii ‘80, erau<br />
prezen]i aici turi[ti de pe toate pie]ele<br />
europene: germani, belgieni, scan<strong>din</strong>avi...<br />
Cu to]i ace[tia am avut o îndelungat`<br />
cooperare, timp de 30 de ani. Fire[te,<br />
ponderile difer` în prezent, dar acum ne<br />
putem mândri c` avem, aproape în<br />
propor]ii egale, turi[ti <strong>din</strong> Germania, Rusia,<br />
România [i Bulgaria. Turi[tii români de]in,<br />
la ora actual`, o pondere de 25%. În acest<br />
an mai dificil, am înregistrat, totu[i, o<br />
cre[tere important` <strong>din</strong>spre pia]a bulgar`.<br />
“¥INTA NOASTRå ERA Så OPERåM<br />
PE RELA¥IA ROMÂNIA”<br />
- Num`rul de turi[ti români care<br />
aleg <strong>Albena</strong> a crescut exponen]ial,<br />
de la an, aceasta devenind pentru<br />
noi [i cea mai cunoscut` sta]iune<br />
<strong>din</strong> Bulgaria, practic destina]ia de<br />
outgoing num`rul unu ca sta]iune<br />
atât <strong>din</strong> Bulgaria, cât [i <strong>din</strong> lume.<br />
Ce strategii a]i folosit pentru<br />
atragerea turi[tilor români,<br />
începând cu 2005?<br />
- De la început, am invitat mul]i<br />
touroperatori [i jurnali[ti s` ne viziteze.<br />
Împreun` cu Camera de Comer] România-<br />
Bulgaria am organizat vizite [i am<br />
prezentat avantajele Albenei. }inta noastr`<br />
era s` oper`m pe rela]ia România,<br />
deoarece capitala ]`rii vecine, Bucure[ti,<br />
este foarte aproape de <strong>Albena</strong> [i de litoralul<br />
M`rii Negre. Printre avantajele prezentate<br />
au fost [i acelea c` este un loc frumos, cu un<br />
cadru natural superb [i cu plaje curate. În<br />
primul an rezultatele au fost mai mult sau<br />
mai pu]in cele a[teptate, îns` în anii<br />
urm`tori, am reu[it s` dubl`m sau chiar s`<br />
tripl`m cifrele. Anul trecut am ajuns la cifra<br />
actual` a turi[tilor români, respectiv, peste<br />
50.000, care generaz` o cifr` de afaceri<br />
de 7 milioane de euro. Anul acesta ne<br />
a[tept`m la o cifr` similar` a num`rului de<br />
turi[ti. Românii nu vin aici doar pentru<br />
vacan]e, ci [i pentru evenimente. Totu[i, ca<br />
13
14<br />
ALBENA MAGAZINE SEPTEMBRIE 2009<br />
s` fim sinceri, în acest an, num`rul team<br />
buil<strong>din</strong>g-urilor [i seminariilor a sc`zut<br />
comparativ cu 2008, <strong>din</strong> cauza crizei...<br />
- ...chiar doream s` v` întreb care<br />
sunt principalele categorii de turi[ti<br />
care aleg <strong>Albena</strong>?<br />
- În primul rând, familiile cu copii, deoarece<br />
oferim foarte multe avantaje pentru ace[tia.<br />
Apoi, amatorii de sport [i participan]ii la<br />
seminarii. De asemenea, în ultimii ani se<br />
dezvolt` [i segmentul de wellness [i spa.<br />
Turi[tii care doresc s` combine sejurul la<br />
mare cu cel de spa aleg <strong>hotel</strong>urile Flamingo<br />
[i Dobroudja.<br />
- Din câte [tiu, unul <strong>din</strong> secretele<br />
Albenei const` în managementul<br />
unitar. Din ce [tiu este singura<br />
sta]iune cu acest concept nu doar<br />
<strong>din</strong> Bulgaria, ci [i <strong>din</strong> aceast` parte<br />
a Europei...<br />
- ...<strong>din</strong> câte [tiu, în Italia mai este o astfel de<br />
sta]iune. Probabil c` acesta este [i motivul<br />
pentru care <strong>Albena</strong> a fost creat` ca o unic`<br />
entitate, unde statul a acordat proprietarilor<br />
de terenuri ac]iuni [i nu propriet`]i reale,<br />
dup` schimb`rile <strong>din</strong> 1989. A[a a [i fost<br />
privatizat`, ca o singur` societate. Procesul<br />
a fost încheiat în 1997. Dac` la început<br />
erau circa 1000 de proprietari, societatea<br />
<strong>Albena</strong> a reu[it s` cumpere de la stat circa<br />
35% <strong>din</strong> ac]iuni, [i s` privatizeze în<br />
totalitate <strong>Albena</strong>. Acum, <strong>Albena</strong> Hol<strong>din</strong>g<br />
controleaz` [i de]ine peste 58% <strong>din</strong> ac]iuni.<br />
- ...iar restul, cui apar]in?<br />
- Restul apar]in <strong>Albena</strong> Invest Hol<strong>din</strong>g [i<br />
unor ac]ionari priva]i, iar 7% se afl` în<br />
proprietatea municipalit`]ii Balchik, datorit`<br />
faptului c` o parte <strong>din</strong> teren era de]inut` de<br />
acest ora[.<br />
“MAI MULTE HOTELURI<br />
DE 5 STELE”<br />
- Litoralul românesc [i cel bulg`resc<br />
au avut o evolu]ie oarecum<br />
asem`n`toare în anii ‘70 [i ‘80. Din<br />
p`cate, litoralul românesc a pierdut<br />
majoritatea turi[tilor str`ini în anii<br />
‘90. Cum au influen]at<br />
touroperatorii germani dezvoltarea<br />
litoralului bulg`resc? Practic, care<br />
este “secretul” colabor`rii cu<br />
germanii?<br />
- În 1993, de exemplu, a început renovarea<br />
<strong>hotel</strong>urilor Kaliakra [i Gergana, cu sprijinul<br />
marilor touroperatori germani TUI [i<br />
Neckermann. Nu am primit de la ei chiar<br />
un sprijin financiar, a fost de fapt un<br />
împrumut pe care l-am pl`tit înapoi.<br />
Oricum, astfel am putut renova <strong>hotel</strong>urile.<br />
- Am în]eles c` societatea <strong>Albena</strong><br />
are investi]ii [i în zone montane...<br />
- Da, de]inem deja un <strong>hotel</strong> în Elve]ia [i<br />
hol<strong>din</strong>gul <strong>Albena</strong> Invest mai are dou`<br />
<strong>hotel</strong>uri în sta]iunea bulg`reasc` de ski<br />
Borovets. Acestea sunt proiecte distincte,<br />
dar nu inten]ion`m s` investim mai departe<br />
în zonele de ski. Acum ne afl`m în etapa de<br />
diversificare a produsului [i a afacerii.<br />
Avem investi]ii în agricultur` [i cultiv`m<br />
legume [i fructe pentru a satisface cerin]ele<br />
Albenei [i nu numai.<br />
- Din fericire, criza se pare c` nu a<br />
afectat dramatic <strong>Albena</strong>, de[i a]i<br />
înregistrat, fire[te, sc`deri. Care sunt<br />
principalele strategii ale societ`]ii<br />
pentru anul care vine?<br />
- Am reu[it s` facem balan]a, iar rezultatele<br />
ne indic` faptul c` pân` la finele anului<br />
vom înregistra înnopt`ri cu între 12 [i 15%<br />
mai pu]in fa]` de 2008. Oricum, am reu[it<br />
s` reducem [i o parte <strong>din</strong> costuri f`r` s`<br />
afect`m calitatea serviciilor [i putem spune<br />
c` vom încheia anul cu un profit.<br />
- Pl`nui]i alte investi]ii pentru<br />
viitorul apropiat?<br />
- Cred c` în urm`torii doi ani nu vom face<br />
investi]ii. Oricum, pl`nuim s` cre[tem<br />
num`rul <strong>hotel</strong>urilor de 5 stele, [i s` cre`m<br />
un centru de conferin]e, probabil lâng`<br />
<strong>hotel</strong>ul Dobroudja - care va fi renovat -,<br />
dedicat segmentului de evenimente.<br />
Urm`torul <strong>hotel</strong> de 5 stele va fi pozi]ionat<br />
lâng` complexul Arabella. Deci, vom [i<br />
renova <strong>hotel</strong>uri, iar pe unele le vom demola<br />
[i vom construi altele în loc, mai moderne.<br />
- Care este cifra de afaceri a<br />
societ`]ii <strong>Albena</strong>?<br />
- În 2008 a fost de 75 de milioane de euro,<br />
pentru principalele servicii, iar profitul, de<br />
circa 10 milioane de euro. În acest an,<br />
fire[te, cifra va fi mai mic`.
- Deja a]i tras principalele concluzii<br />
privind sezonul care tocmai se<br />
încheie. Care vor fi principalele pie]e<br />
c`rora <strong>Albena</strong> li se va adresa anul<br />
viitor?<br />
- Bineîn]eles, pia]a român` va fi în<br />
continuare în aten]ia noastr`, fiind una <strong>din</strong><br />
principalele pie]e, al`turi de cea german`<br />
[i cea ruseasc`. {i 2010 va fi un an dificil [i<br />
ne gândim de pe acum cum s` ne<br />
provom`m avantajele pe diverse pie]e. În<br />
februarie - martie vom organiza un roadshow<br />
în România, care va trece prin ora[e<br />
importante precum Bucure[ti, Pite[ti,<br />
Târgovi[te, Ploie[ti, Constan]a, Br`ila, Ia[i,<br />
Suceava, Bac`u, Bra[ov, Cluj, Târgu<br />
Mure[, Sibiu... Vom prezenta avantajele<br />
Albenei în fa]a jurnali[tilor [i a agen]ilor de<br />
turism. Discut`m despre cum s` îmbun`]im<br />
rela]ia cu touroperatorii, c`rora le oferim<br />
acces automat pe site [i despre cum s` le<br />
oferim acces de la sistemul propriu de<br />
rezerv`ri la cel al Albenei, care pot fi<br />
conectate. Acestea vor determina, cu<br />
siguran]`, cre[terea volumului [i a<br />
vânz`rilor. De asemenea, ne gândim cum<br />
s` atragem mai mul]i turi[ti, [i de aceea am<br />
sc`zut pre]urile pentru anul viitor. Am<br />
introdus [i alte avantaje pentru early<br />
booking, oferind un discount de 20%<br />
pentru cei care fac rezerv`ri pân` la<br />
sfâr[itul lunii aprilie. Credem c` toate aceste<br />
m`suri vor determina cre[terea num`rului<br />
de turi[ti. Deocamdat` a[tept`m s` tragem<br />
concluziile acestui an, sezonul încheinduse<br />
la mijlocul lunii octombrie. Din p`cate,<br />
pentru români [i bulgari sezonul se încheie<br />
pe 20 septembrie, ace[tia preferând<br />
perioadele mai calde, fa]` de turi[tii nordici<br />
sau germani.<br />
- Inten]iona]i ca anul viitor s`<br />
lansa]i un nou mesaj, o alt`<br />
campanie de promovare?<br />
- Înc` ne gândim la un nou slogan. În acest<br />
an, am avut “Ultra Summer”, prin care am<br />
sugerat c` oferim mai multe <strong>hotel</strong>uri în<br />
regim ultra all inclusive, o premier` pe<br />
litoralul M`rii Negre, la pre]uri foarte bune<br />
[i servicii de calitate.<br />
A consemnat Traian BåDULESCU<br />
At this moment, the Romanian tourists represent 25%<br />
AN INTERVIEW WITH MARGITA TODOROVA, SALES AND MARKETING DIRECTOR OF THE ALBENA RESORT<br />
Margita Todorova has a career that is<br />
strongly linked to tourism and <strong>Albena</strong>. She<br />
graduated the Tourism Colledge from the<br />
Varna University, which at the time was<br />
called ’touristic economy’. Just after<br />
graduating she started to work for the<br />
<strong>Albena</strong> Resort, as a restauration specialist.<br />
Then she was promoted to Sales and<br />
Advertising Manager for the spa. From<br />
1990 she works at the marketing and sales<br />
departaments, being named director in<br />
1996. She is a member of the <strong>Albena</strong><br />
hol<strong>din</strong>g board and of the directing council<br />
of the resort.<br />
-You are the Sales and Marketing<br />
Director of <strong>Albena</strong> and you have<br />
been working for the resort for<br />
almost 30 years. In your opinion,<br />
what are the main reasons that<br />
attract tourists from all around the<br />
world and specially from Romania<br />
to <strong>Albena</strong>?<br />
-On the 24th of August, <strong>Albena</strong> has just<br />
become 40 years old, both as a resort and<br />
as a company. So you can say that we<br />
have a vast experience when it comes to<br />
serving and satisfying our customers. In<br />
order to have succes in this field you must be<br />
open to the tourists and to be albe to meet<br />
their expectations. Our high standards and<br />
the great quality-price ratio are proven by<br />
the fact that most of our clients come back<br />
many more times. To be more precise, 35<br />
to 40% come return.<br />
-<strong>Albena</strong> is 40 years old, thus having<br />
a rich past. What can you tell us<br />
about the evolution of this resort?<br />
Was it created for Bulgarian or<br />
foreign tourists?<br />
-It was built for foreign toursts. At the time it<br />
was oriented for the soviet Russian market.<br />
The architecture has managed to make a<br />
very good product and in 1970 the resort<br />
received the ’Dimitrov Award’, the highest<br />
reward in Bulgarian tourism. The second<br />
stage of <strong>Albena</strong>’s evolution was in 1973.<br />
In 4 years a number of 43 <strong>hotel</strong>s have been<br />
built. A construction company was created<br />
in the city of Dobrich in order to provide the<br />
materials. The <strong>hotel</strong>s were built in a piramid<br />
style. Afterwards, accor<strong>din</strong>g to the newer<br />
projects, the <strong>hotel</strong>s were built in a classical<br />
style. A nother particularity of <strong>Albena</strong> is that<br />
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ALBENA MAGAZINE SEPTEMBRIE 2009<br />
a l l<br />
the <strong>hotel</strong>s rooms face the sea. Of course the<br />
<strong>hotel</strong>s right next to the beach have an<br />
advantage, but the <strong>hotel</strong>s from the green<br />
zone which are further away have a sea<br />
view.<br />
-What was the evolution of foreign<br />
markets along the years?<br />
T h e<br />
structure<br />
has changed a<br />
lot. In the 1980s<br />
tourists from all the<br />
European markets were present:<br />
Germans, Belgians, Scan<strong>din</strong>avians... We<br />
had a long-lasting 30 year cooperation<br />
with them. Of course the structure is<br />
different now. Now we take pride in the fact<br />
that we have tourists from Germany, Rusia,<br />
Romania and Bulgaria in equal numbers.<br />
The Romanian tourists represent 25% at this<br />
time. However, in this difficult year we have<br />
seen a growth of the Bulgarian market.<br />
-<br />
’OUR TARGET IS TO OPERATE ON THE<br />
ROMANIAN MARKET, AS THE CAPITAL<br />
OF BUCHAREST IS VERY CLOSE TO<br />
ALBENA AND THE BLACK SEA.’<br />
-The number of Romanian tourists<br />
that choose <strong>Albena</strong> has grown<br />
exponentially, every year, as it<br />
has become the most well<br />
known resort in Bulgaria. It is<br />
the number one destination<br />
for outgoing Romanian<br />
tourists in the whole<br />
world. What strategies<br />
have you used, starting<br />
from 2005, in order to<br />
attract Romanians?<br />
-From the beginning we<br />
have invited many tour<br />
operators and journalists to<br />
visit us. Along with the<br />
Romanian-Bulgarian<br />
Chamber of Comerce we<br />
have organised visits and<br />
we have presented the<br />
advantages of <strong>Albena</strong>. Our<br />
target is to operate on the<br />
Romanian market, as the<br />
capital of Bucharest is very close<br />
to <strong>Albena</strong> and the Black Sea. The<br />
first advantage presented was that<br />
it is a beautiful place, with superb<br />
natural surroun<strong>din</strong>gs and clean<br />
beaches. In the first year the results<br />
were not spectacular, but in the following<br />
years we managed to double and even<br />
triple the number. Last year we reached<br />
50,000 Romanian tourists which bring 7<br />
million euro. This year we expect a similar<br />
figure. Romanians are not here only for<br />
vacations, they come at events. But to be<br />
honest, this year the number of teambuil<strong>din</strong>g<br />
events and seminares has<br />
decreased from 2008, because of the crisis.<br />
-I was just about to ask you, what<br />
are the main types of tourists which<br />
choose <strong>Albena</strong>?<br />
-First of all, families with children, as we offer<br />
them many advantages. Then the ones that<br />
like sports and those that come to seminares.<br />
In the last years the wellness and spa<br />
segment has evolved. Tourist that wish to<br />
combine their stay at the seaside with spa<br />
treatments choose the Flamingo and<br />
Dobroudja <strong>hotel</strong>s.
-From what i know, one of <strong>Albena</strong>’s<br />
secrets is the single management. It is<br />
the only resort from this part of<br />
Europe that uses this concept.<br />
-I think there is similar system in a resort in<br />
Italy. Perhaps this is the reason for which<br />
<strong>Albena</strong> is a single entity. The state has<br />
offered people stocks not real properties<br />
after 1989. <strong>Albena</strong> was privatized as a<br />
single company. The proces ended in<br />
1997. At first there were around 1000<br />
owners. The <strong>Albena</strong> Company managed<br />
to buy 35% from the state and thus<br />
completely privatizing the resort.<br />
Nowadays, <strong>Albena</strong> Hol<strong>din</strong>g holds 58% of<br />
the deeds.<br />
-Who has the rest?<br />
-The rest belong to <strong>Albena</strong> Invest Hol<strong>din</strong>g<br />
and to some private investors, and 7%<br />
belong to the Balchik Municipality, due to<br />
the fact that part of the land was owned by<br />
this city.<br />
’WE PLAN TO INCREASE THE NUMBER<br />
OF 5 STAR HOTELS.’<br />
-The Romanian and Bulgaria seaside<br />
had a similar evolution in the 70s and<br />
80s. Unfortunately, Romania has lost<br />
most of the foreign tourists in the<br />
90s. How did the German tour<br />
operators influence the development<br />
of the Bulgarian seaside? Practically<br />
what is the ’secret’ behind the<br />
colaboration with the Germans?<br />
-In 1993 for example, the renovation of the<br />
Kaliakra and Gergana <strong>hotel</strong>s has begun,<br />
with the help of the TUI and Neckermann<br />
touroperatos. We did not really receive a<br />
financial helping, it was actually a loan that<br />
we payed back. This was the only way to<br />
renovate the <strong>hotel</strong>s.<br />
-I heard that the <strong>Albena</strong> Company has<br />
investments in mountainside areas.<br />
-Yes, we already own a <strong>hotel</strong> in<br />
Switzerland and the hol<strong>din</strong>g has 2 <strong>hotel</strong>s in<br />
the Borovets ski resort in Bulgaria. These are<br />
separate projects, but we do not intend to<br />
invest further in ski areas. Now we are in<br />
the stage when we are diversifying the<br />
product and the business. We have<br />
invested in agriculture and we cultivate the<br />
vegetables and fruits necesary in <strong>Albena</strong>.<br />
-Fortunately, the crisis doesn’t seem<br />
to have affected <strong>Albena</strong> that much,<br />
even tough you had certain<br />
decreases. Which are the main<br />
strategies of the company for the<br />
following year?<br />
-We looked at the figures and the results<br />
show that by the end of the year we will<br />
have 12 to 15% less people than 2008.<br />
However we managed to reduce a part of<br />
the costs without affecting the quality of the<br />
services and I can say that we will end the<br />
year with a profit.<br />
-Are you planning any investments<br />
in the near future?<br />
-I think that in the next 2 years we will not<br />
be making investments. However we plan<br />
to increase the number of 5 star <strong>hotel</strong>s and<br />
to create a conference center, probably<br />
near the Dobroudja Hotel which will be<br />
renovated and dedicated to the event<br />
segment. The next 5 star <strong>hotel</strong> will be<br />
placed near the Arabella complex. So, we<br />
will be renovating <strong>hotel</strong>s and we will<br />
demolish some of the older ones in order to<br />
build modern ones.<br />
-What is the revenue of the <strong>Albena</strong><br />
Company?<br />
-In 2008 it was 75 million euro for the main<br />
services. The profit was about 10 million<br />
euro. Of course, this year the figures will<br />
decrease.<br />
-You already made the conclusions<br />
for the season that is about to end.<br />
Which will be the markets that<br />
<strong>Albena</strong> will try to address next<br />
year?<br />
-Of course the Romanian market will have<br />
our attention, being one of the most<br />
important along with Germany and Russia.<br />
2010 will also be a difficult year and we<br />
are already thinking about the way to<br />
promote our advantages. In February or<br />
March we will organise a road-show in<br />
Romania which will pass through important<br />
cities such as Bucharest, Pitesti, Targoviste,<br />
Ploiesti, Constanta, Braila, Iasi, Suceva,<br />
Bacau, Brasov, Cluj, Targu Mures and<br />
Sibiu. We will present <strong>Albena</strong>’s strong<br />
points to journalists and tourist agencies.<br />
We will discus ways to improve the<br />
relations with tour operators, which have<br />
automatic access to the website, and how to<br />
connect their own reservation systems with<br />
the one in <strong>Albena</strong>. This will surely determine<br />
an increase in sales. We thought of ways of<br />
attracting more tourists and we decided to<br />
decrease the prices for next year. We have<br />
included other advantages for those that<br />
book early, offering a 20% discount for<br />
those who make reservations until the end<br />
of April. We think all these will determine<br />
an increase in the number of tourists. For<br />
now we will finish making the conclusions<br />
for this year, as the season will end in the<br />
middle of October. Unfortunately, for<br />
Romanians and Bulgarians the season ends<br />
on the 20th of September as they prefer the<br />
warmer periods, unlike the German and<br />
Scan<strong>din</strong>avian tourists.<br />
-Do you intend on launching a new<br />
message or a new promotional<br />
campaign?<br />
-We still do not have a new slogan. This<br />
year we had ’Ultra Summer’, in which we<br />
suggested that more <strong>hotel</strong>s offer ultra allinclusive<br />
services, a premiere on the Black<br />
Sea, at very good prices and quality<br />
services.<br />
Consigned by Traian Badulescu<br />
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ALBENA MAGAZINE SEPTEMBRIE 2009<br />
Destina]ie preferat`<br />
de români<br />
Una <strong>din</strong>tre destina]iile de litoral<br />
preferate de turi[tii români este<br />
Bulgaria, ]ar` care a demonstrat faptul<br />
c` turismul poate fi adus la standarde<br />
înalte [i promovat, a[a încât în câ]iva<br />
ani de zile s` fie recunoscut pe plan<br />
mondial ca fiind una <strong>din</strong>tre atrac]iile<br />
principale ale litoralului european.<br />
Dovad` a acestui lucru stau statisticile<br />
sta]iunii <strong>Albena</strong> <strong>din</strong> care reies cre[teri<br />
de pân` la 30% de la an la an în ceea ce<br />
prive[te num`rul de turi[ti prezen]i aici.<br />
- Alina, care crezi c` este secretul<br />
litoralului bulg`resc?<br />
- Pot s` v` spun c` românii apreciaz`<br />
foarte mult faptul c` plaja este foarte lat`,<br />
are 2 km lungime [i 150 m la]ime, nisipul<br />
este foarte fin [i \ngrijit, turistul se simte<br />
aici ca acas`, buc`t`ria este foarte<br />
asem`n`toare cu cea româneasc` având<br />
în vedere faptul c` aici a fost teritoriu<br />
românesc, calitatea serviciilor este bun`,<br />
oamenii sunt primitori. Cei care vin aici<br />
sunt în mare parte cei care au fost si acum<br />
câ]iva ani, au venit, au v`zut, le-a pl`cut<br />
[i au revenit; [i pe lâng` acest lucru au<br />
mai dat [i recomand`ri pe la prieteni,<br />
rude, cuno[tin]e.<br />
- Statistic vorbind, care este<br />
ponderea de turi[ti români la<br />
<strong>Albena</strong>?<br />
- În 2004 au fost 1780 de turi[ti români<br />
[i anul trecut, de exemplu, pe 2008, am<br />
ajuns la 52500, deci în 4 ani de zile se<br />
constat` mai mult decât o triplare a<br />
num`rului de turi[ti români, un mare<br />
boom.<br />
- Care crezi c` a fost motivul<br />
acestui boom?<br />
- Exact ce am spus mai devreme, s-au<br />
sim]it bine, s-au sim]it foarte bine, au avut<br />
parte de servicii bune, condi]ii bune de<br />
cazare, au avut o vacan]` reu[it`.<br />
- Anul trecut, care a fost ponderea<br />
de turi[ti pe na]ionalit`]i în<br />
<strong>Albena</strong>?<br />
Interviu cu Alina Balaci, directorul<br />
de marketing al sta]iunii <strong>Albena</strong><br />
- Bineîn]eles bulgarii au fost primii cu o<br />
pondere de 27-29 % dup` care au urmat<br />
românii cu o pondere de 25 %, spre<br />
deosebire de 2007 când au fost 11%,<br />
apoi a urmat pia]a francez` [i cea<br />
german`, apoi Rusia cu 9 % [i alte<br />
na]ionalit`]i precum Anglia, Scan<strong>din</strong>avia,<br />
Benelux [i alte ]`ri <strong>din</strong> estul Europei cu<br />
ponderea procentual` r`mas`.<br />
- Cum explici faptul c` pia]a<br />
româneasc` a ajuns atât de<br />
puternic`?<br />
- Acum câ]iva ani de zile pia]a francez`<br />
[i cea german` erau foarte puternice, dar<br />
au pierdut teren <strong>din</strong> mai multe motive,<br />
unul <strong>din</strong>tre ele este c` pia]a a ajuns la<br />
saturare, a crescut foarte mult [i apoi<br />
neavând unde s` mai creasc`, binîn]eles<br />
ca a început s` scad`; un alt motiv este<br />
criza economic` mondial` care a afectat<br />
foarte mult statele puternic dezvoltate.<br />
- Care este impactul crizei<br />
economice asupra turismului <strong>din</strong><br />
<strong>Albena</strong>?<br />
- Celelalte pie]e precum Fran]a [i<br />
Germania au fost afectate destul de r`u,<br />
dar pia]a de care m` ocup eu, respectiv<br />
România, cred ca va merge bine tocmai<br />
datorit` crizei. Explica]ia este foarte<br />
simpl`, datorit` crizei românul nu va mai<br />
alege sejururi la distan]e mari care<br />
implic` [i costuri mai mari. Avantajul<br />
Bulgariei fa]` de alte destina]ii este<br />
distan]a foarte mic` fa]` de România. O<br />
persoan` <strong>din</strong>tre cei care vor s` vin` tot<br />
are o ma[in` pe care o poate folosi.<br />
Distan]a <strong>din</strong>tre Bucure[ti [i <strong>Albena</strong> este de<br />
260 Km, drum de 4 ore care se poate<br />
face lejer [i f`r` prea mari eforturi.<br />
- Pe 2009 estimezi o cre[tere a<br />
turi[tilor români fa]` de 2008?<br />
- Nu m-a[ hazarda s` spun c` va fi o<br />
cre[tere fa]` de 2008, dar cred c` în cel<br />
mai bun [i fericit caz va fi la acela[i nivel<br />
ca anul trecut. Estimez a[a tocmai<br />
datorit` crizei, pentru c` se ajunge aici la<br />
ni[te costuri mult mai mici decât cele<br />
implicate la un sejur cu transport aerian.<br />
- ANAT a apreciat o cre[tere de 10<br />
% pe anul 2009 fa]` de 2008, cum
comentezi acest lucru?<br />
- S-ar putea s` fie adev`rat, dar eu<br />
apreciez anul acesta c` pia]a va fi una de<br />
last-minute. Se vor ocupa locurile chiar [i<br />
cu 2-3 zile \nainte pentru c` nu se vor mai<br />
face rezerv`ri ca în anii trecu]i cu una,<br />
dou` sau trei luni înainte, tocmai datorit`<br />
crizei economice [i nesiguran]ei viitorului.<br />
Atunci turistul se gânde[te foarte clar<br />
atunci când are un surplus de bani [i vrea<br />
s` plece în vacan]`. Am banii pot s` m`<br />
duc s` m` simt bine în Bulgaria, m` urc<br />
în ma[in` [i plec. Deci nu se va mai<br />
merge pe rezerv`ri cu mult timp înainte.<br />
Este motivul pentru care eu apreciez pia]a<br />
bulg`resc` anul acesta ca fiind una de<br />
last minute. ßi oricum Bulgaria este o<br />
alternativ` bun` [i ieftin` raportat` la alte<br />
destina]ii. Trebuie s` avem în vedere [i<br />
faptul c` suntem la o distan]` de numai<br />
60 km de Vama Veche, practic este<br />
acela[i litoral.<br />
- Cum apreciezi influen]a<br />
investi]iilor f`cute de germani pe<br />
litoralul bulg`resc?<br />
- Asta este mai mult o legend`, nu ei au<br />
pus bazele turismului bulg`resc, este<br />
adev`rat c` au investit mult în promovare,<br />
au creat bro[urile de prezentare, le-au<br />
tip`rit, le-au distribuit, au investit foarte<br />
mult în cursele charter [i, dup` cum se<br />
vede foarte clar au avut un foarte mare<br />
succes, dar au riscat mult. Ceea ce au<br />
f`cut a fost s` dea un impuls în aceast`<br />
ALBENA MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2009<br />
direc]ie [i bulgarii au dus mai departe [i<br />
au îmbun`t`]it, dovad` a faptului c`<br />
board of directors este \n \ntregime de<br />
na]ionalitate bulgar`. Anul trecut s-au<br />
deschis lâng` <strong>hotel</strong>ul acesta, Flamingo<br />
Grand, ni[te restaurante printre care [i<br />
unul cu specific cubanez care se cheam`<br />
Havana. Aici au cântat cinci cubaneze în<br />
fiecare sear`, în aer liber, fapt ce a<br />
constituit înc` un punct de atrac]ie pentru<br />
turi[ti. ßi în acest <strong>hotel</strong> s-a deschis anul<br />
acesta un night club la subsolul <strong>hotel</strong>ului.<br />
Este un fel de disco-bar [i a fost deschis<br />
acum dou` sau trei luni. Încerc`m s`<br />
aducem un plus de nou în fiecare an în<br />
a[a fel încât turistul s` g`seasc` [i alte<br />
lucruri noi fa]` de cele de anul trecut. 19
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ALBENA MAGAZINE SEPTEMBRIE 2009<br />
The favorite destination of Romanians<br />
One of the favorite seaside<br />
destinations for Romanian tourists is<br />
Bulgaria, a country that has proven<br />
that you can achieve high standards<br />
and be well promoted, so that in a few<br />
years you can be internationally<br />
reknown. <strong>Albena</strong> is a testimony to this<br />
progress, as the number of tourists that<br />
have visited the resort has grown up to<br />
30% per year, for the last few years.<br />
-Alina, what is the secret behind<br />
the Bulgarian seaside resorts?<br />
-I can say that the Romanians appreciate<br />
the large beaches, as it is 2 km long, and<br />
150 m wide. The sand is fine and well<br />
maintained. The tourists feel at home here,<br />
the food here being very similar to the one<br />
at home, as this was Romanian territory<br />
not so very long ago. The quality of<br />
service is very good and the people are<br />
welcoming. The ones that come here, are<br />
the ones that came a few years ago. They<br />
came, they saw, they liked it, they came<br />
back and recommended it to their friends<br />
and relatives.<br />
-Statistically speaking, which is the<br />
percentage of Romanian tourists<br />
in <strong>Albena</strong>?<br />
-In 2004 there were 1780 Romanian<br />
tourists, and last year for example there<br />
have been 52500. So in just four years,<br />
the number has significantly grown, a real<br />
boom.<br />
-What do you believe was the<br />
reason for this boom?<br />
-Exactly what I said before, they felt good,<br />
they felt very good, they received good<br />
services, excellent accommodations, they<br />
had a great vacation.<br />
-Last year, what was the<br />
repartition of tourists, accor<strong>din</strong>g<br />
to nationality?<br />
-Of course, the Bulgarians were the most,<br />
about 27-29%, second most being the<br />
Romanians with 25%. In 2007 they were<br />
just 11%. After them, last year there were<br />
the German and French tourists, and the<br />
ones coming from Russia who<br />
represented 9%. There were also English,<br />
Scan<strong>din</strong>avian Belgian and Dutch tourists<br />
and other people coming from Eastern<br />
Europe account for the rest.<br />
-How do you explain the fact that<br />
the Romanian market has become<br />
so important?<br />
Interview with Alina Balaci, <strong>Albena</strong> Sales Manager for the Romanian market<br />
-A few years ago the French and German<br />
markets were very strong, but they lost<br />
ground due to a series of reasons, one of<br />
them being the saturation, as it grew too<br />
much and stagnated. Another reason is<br />
the economic crisis that has affected many<br />
strong economies.<br />
-What impact did the economic<br />
crisis have on the tourism in<br />
<strong>Albena</strong>?<br />
-The other markets, like France and<br />
Germany were affected, but the market I<br />
look after, Romania is going well because<br />
of the crisis. The explanation is simple, the<br />
average Romanian will not choose long<br />
and expensive vacation trips, due to the<br />
crisis. The advantage of Bulgaria<br />
compared to other destinations is the short<br />
distance from Romania. One of the<br />
people who want to come here is bound<br />
to have a car which he can use. The<br />
distance between Bucharest and <strong>Albena</strong> is<br />
260 km. It is a 4 hour drive that can be<br />
done without much effort.<br />
-ANAT estimated a growth of<br />
10% compared to last year, how<br />
do you comment on this?<br />
-It could be so, but I believe the market will<br />
be last-minute. Rooms will be booked two<br />
or three days in advance, because there<br />
will not be reservations like in the last<br />
years, one, two, or even three months in<br />
advance, due to the crisis and the<br />
uncertainty of the future. Now tourists<br />
think carefully when they have some extra<br />
money and want to leave in a vacation. I<br />
have the money, I can go and have a<br />
good time in Bulgaria, and I just have to<br />
hop into my car and go. So there will not<br />
be many advanced reservations. That is<br />
why I say the Romanian market this year<br />
will be a last-minute one. And anyway,<br />
Bulgaria is a good and cheap alternative,<br />
compared to other destinations. We have<br />
to take into consideration that we are only<br />
60 km away from Vama Veche,<br />
practically the same area.<br />
-What do you think about the<br />
German investments in the<br />
Bulgarian seaside resorts?<br />
-This is more of a legend; they were not<br />
the ones who started buil<strong>din</strong>g the<br />
Bulgarian tourism. It is true that they have<br />
invested a lot in promotional activities,<br />
they created the presentation brochures,<br />
and they printed and distributed them and<br />
invested a lot in the charter planes. It is<br />
clear that their actions were successful, but<br />
they risked a lot. What they did was to<br />
create an impulse, which the Bulgarians<br />
continued and improved. To support this<br />
idea, the board of director is composed<br />
entirely of Bulgarians. Last year, new<br />
restaurants have been opened near the<br />
Flamingo Grand Hotel. One of them,<br />
Havana, is a traditional Cubanese<br />
restaurant, where 5 Cubanese singers<br />
have played every night, this being a real<br />
tourist attraction. A nightclub has been<br />
opened at the basement of the same <strong>hotel</strong><br />
this year. It is a disco-bar and it was<br />
opened 2-3 months ago.We are trying to<br />
bring something new every year so that<br />
tourists will find new attractions every time<br />
they come back.<br />
-Which are the tourist sites that<br />
can be found in the area?<br />
-The closest tourist attraction is Regina<br />
Maria’s Castle at Balchik along with the<br />
botanical garden that surrounds it.You<br />
can get there quickly as it is only 12 km<br />
away from <strong>Albena</strong>. Then you can visit<br />
Cape Kaliakra, along with the ruins of the<br />
old fortress. Here there is a cave where<br />
you can find a museum that has a replica<br />
of the original fortress. There is even a<br />
terrace where you can serve a meal. This<br />
area is known as the ’Silver Coast’, name<br />
given by the ancient Greeks and used by<br />
Queen Mary. It was named so because<br />
at sunset, the limestone cliffs of Cape<br />
Kaliakra looked like silver.
Flamingo Grand cel mai bun <strong>hotel</strong><br />
de 5 stele <strong>din</strong> Bulgaria<br />
Hotelul are nou` etaje [i pune la<br />
dispozi]ia turi[tilor 7 ascensoare, unul<br />
<strong>din</strong>tre acestea asigurând accesul direct<br />
cu centrul de congrese al <strong>hotel</strong>ului.<br />
„Flamingo Grand” contine 4 tipuri de<br />
studiouri (Standard, Executive, Deluxe [i<br />
Family), apartamente luxoase (Grand<br />
Superior, Family, Panorama Superior<br />
Suite), maisonette Grand Superior [i<br />
apartamente situate pe latura exterioar`<br />
(Corner Suite). Hotelul are un hol spa]ios<br />
dotat cu aer condi]ionat, cinci s`li de<br />
conferinte, bussines center, centru SPA cu<br />
echipamente profesionale de ultim` or`,<br />
tango-bar, piscin` în aer liber (cu o<br />
suprafa]` de 1200 mp cu tobogane [i<br />
fântâni arteziene), piscin` pentru copii,<br />
piscin` acoperit` de 200 mp, sal` de<br />
fitness, salon de cosmetic`, magazine,<br />
galerie de art`, internet club, jocuri<br />
electronice, billiard, spa]iu amenajat<br />
pentru copii, garaj [i parcare. Lobby<br />
bar-ul este deschis non stop, oferind o<br />
gam` variat` de b`uturi r`coritoare,<br />
alcoolice [i cocktail-uri. Hotelul dispune<br />
de un restaurant A-la-carte, restaurant<br />
principal [i Bistro „Flamingo” - care<br />
ofer` program artistic cu muzic`<br />
interpretat` live.<br />
Camerele Studio Deluxe - 50 mp - au<br />
vedere panoramic` spre mare [i piscin`.<br />
Acest tip de studio poate acomoda doi<br />
adul]i [i 2 copii. Dot`ri: aer condi]ionat,<br />
TV satelit - LCD, internet, seif, mini bar,<br />
posibilitatea de a prepara ceai [i cafea<br />
în mini buc`t`rie, telefon cu acces<br />
interna]ional direct, fier de c`lcat [i mas`<br />
pentru c`lcat, sistem electronic de<br />
încuiere, baie modern` cu cabin` de du[<br />
[i cad`, toalet` separat`, halat de baie<br />
[i papuci, usc`tor de p`r, buton de<br />
panic`, mini buc`t`rie, teras` cu<br />
[ezlonguri [i o mas`.<br />
Cele dou` restaurante, Atrium [i<br />
Essentials, ofer`, în sistem tip bufet<br />
suedez, o varietate larg` de preparate<br />
<strong>din</strong> buc`t`ria interna]ional` [i<br />
bulg`reasc`. La barul Dionisius pot fi<br />
degustate vinuri atât <strong>din</strong> Bulgaria (aviz<br />
amatorilor – sunt foarte bune), cât [i <strong>din</strong><br />
Italia [i alte ]`ri cu tradi]ie.<br />
Clien]ii <strong>hotel</strong>ului Flamingo Grand<br />
beneficiaz` de [ezlong [i umbrel`<br />
incluse în pre], pe o plaj` care apar]ine<br />
ALBENA MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2009<br />
Inaugurat<br />
în iunie 2008, o<br />
dat` cu un seminar al<br />
reprezentan]ei române a<br />
unei corpora]ii<br />
multina]ionale, compxlexul<br />
<strong>hotel</strong>ier Flamingo Grand este<br />
amplasat în centrul sta]iunii<br />
turistice <strong>Albena</strong>, la<br />
aproximativ 150 m de<br />
plaj`.<br />
doar acestui complex [i poat` acela[i<br />
nume. Printre sporturile puse la dispozi]ie<br />
clien]ilor se num`r` fotbal, tenis, baschet,<br />
volei, sporturi nautice, echita]ie. Hotelul<br />
are [i o sal` de sport multifunc]ional`.<br />
Nu în ultimul rând, Centru de Congrese<br />
Flamingo Grand are cinci s`li: Flamingo<br />
Grand, Corella, Ara, Jaco [i Lori. Cea<br />
mai mare sal`, tip Amfiteatru, are o<br />
capacitate de 265 de locuri, restul s`lilor<br />
având între 22 [i 165 de locuri.<br />
Elements Spa este cel mai nou [i cel mai<br />
luxos centru de welness <strong>din</strong> <strong>Albena</strong> [i<br />
unul <strong>din</strong>tre cele mai de lux centre de spa<br />
de la Marea Neagr`. Acesta reprezint`<br />
o combina]ie unic` între arhitectura<br />
modern`, materiale tradi]ionale [i<br />
ultimele trenduri în acest domeniu. În<br />
oferta spa-ului Elements se afl`<br />
combina]ii selecte între terapii de spa<br />
tradi]ionale orientale, ritualuri [i<br />
ceremonii.<br />
Nu e de mirare c` Flamingo devine unul<br />
<strong>din</strong> <strong>hotel</strong>urile preferate de români atât în<br />
<strong>Albena</strong>, cât [i pe întregul litoral<br />
bulg`resc... 21
22<br />
ALBENA MAGAZINE SEPTEMBRIE 2009<br />
Hotel Kaliakra Ultra All Inclusive la <strong>Albena</strong><br />
F`r` doar [i poate, este cel mai solicitat<br />
<strong>hotel</strong> <strong>din</strong> <strong>Albena</strong> de c`tre turi[tii români.<br />
Aceasta deoarece ofer` servicii Ultra All<br />
Inclusive, exact pe modelul turcesc.<br />
Hotelul are o arhitectur` original` [i este<br />
situat pe malul m`rii, la poalele<br />
dealurilor pitore[ti acoperite de vegeta]ie<br />
bogat`. Mâncare (buc`tarul [ef este un<br />
mare specialist), b`utur`, entertainment,<br />
cl`direa modern`, camerele spa]ioase [i<br />
superba vedere la mare… Toate acestea<br />
sunt, f`r` doar [i poate, atuuri ale<br />
<strong>hotel</strong>ului Kaliakra.<br />
Complexul pune la dispozi]ia oaspe]ilor:<br />
restaurant [i teras` (renovate în 2008),<br />
lobby bar, snack-bar, lounge-bar pe<br />
aleea spre plaj`, bar la piscin`, dou`<br />
piscine exterioare pentru copii [i adul]i,<br />
teren de joac` pentru copii, mini club, 5<br />
lifturi interioare [i unul panoramic,<br />
CE ÎNSEAMNå CONCEPTUL<br />
ULTRA ALL INCLUSIVE LA KALIAKRA<br />
- Mic dejun bufet suedez (7.30 – 11.00) –<br />
tip continental sau englezesc, care ofer`<br />
o varietate de brânzeturi, cârn`ciori,<br />
franzele calde, cl`tite, croissante,<br />
pr`jituri, pl`cinte, fructe proaspete etc.<br />
- Prânzul bufet suedez (12.30 - 14.30) –<br />
buc`t`rie interna]ional`, feluri de<br />
mâncare diverse, salate proaspete,<br />
meniuri speciale pentru copii, bufet<br />
vegetarian cu o varietate de alimente<br />
u[oare, fructe, deserturi.<br />
- Cin` bufet suedez (18.30 – 21.30) –<br />
buc`t`rie interna]ional` incluzând [i<br />
alimente dietetice [i vegetariene,<br />
cooking show. Cina festiv` – o dat` pe<br />
s`pt`mân`. Nop]i tematice - o dat` pe<br />
s`pt`mân`.<br />
- Gust`ri (11.30 – 22.30) – gust`ri reci [i<br />
calde la Snack bar Kaliakra (salate,<br />
paste, pizza, gr`tar, fructe, b`uturi<br />
calde, pr`jituri, biscui]i etc), gustarea de<br />
dup` amiaz` (15.00 – 18.00), gustarea<br />
de sear` (24.00 – 02.00)<br />
- Room-service gratuit între orele 02.00<br />
[i 07.00<br />
- Înghe]at` local` (10.30 – 22.30)<br />
- Bufet pentru copii: crochete de pe[te,<br />
paste, pizza, chiftelu]e, pl`cinte cu<br />
brânz`, pl`cinte cu spanac, cârn`ciori,<br />
supe etc.<br />
dispozitive moderne de colectare a<br />
energiei solare, sistem central de aercondi]ionat<br />
(toate camerele, holul, lobby<br />
barul, restaurantul, lounge barul au aer<br />
condi]ionat). Complexul Kaliakra mai<br />
pune la dispozi]ia turi[tilor o sal` de<br />
conferin]e / anima]ie, amfiteatru,<br />
gr`<strong>din</strong>i]`, magazin, birou de schimb<br />
valutar, parcare, ma[ini pentru închiriat,<br />
închirierea de seifuri [i frigidere de la<br />
recep]ie - contra cost.<br />
Hotelul Kaliakra Standard are 159 de<br />
camere spa]ioase (27 mp) confortabile,<br />
cu acces la internet, telefon, radio, TV<br />
satelit - LCD, seif, mini-bar (contra cost),<br />
baie cu du[/cad` [i toalet`, usc`tor de<br />
p`r, telefon, prosoape [i papuci. Toate<br />
camerele sunt cu vedere la mare [i au<br />
aer condi]ionat [i balcon. Este de<br />
apreciat ingeniozitatea arhitec]ilor care<br />
au conceput <strong>hotel</strong>urile <strong>din</strong> <strong>Albena</strong>: toate<br />
complexe apropiate de plaj` au vedere<br />
doar spre mare.<br />
Clubul Ultra All inclusive “Kaliakra“ este<br />
compus <strong>din</strong> dou` corpuri, în total 272<br />
de camere, <strong>din</strong>tre care 9 sunt<br />
apartamente executive, 159 sunt camere<br />
standard, 103 sunt camere superior [i o<br />
camer` este pentru persoane cu<br />
disabilit`]i.<br />
SPORT: Sunt posibilit`]i pentru a<br />
practica tenis de câmp, mini-golf, volei<br />
de plaj`, hidrobiciclet`, salt cu para[uta,<br />
surfing, banana de ap`, waterjet.<br />
Serviciul Ultra All Inclusive la acest <strong>hotel</strong><br />
include [ezlongurile [i umbrelu]ele (2<br />
[ezlonguri + 1 umbrelu]` / camer`) pe<br />
plaj` [i la piscin`.
„Ultimul” <strong>hotel</strong> <strong>din</strong> <strong>Albena</strong><br />
Gergana<br />
Daniel OSMANOVICI<br />
Marea este elementul în jurul c`ruia se<br />
„învârt” vacan]ele de var` ...<br />
Cu totul întâmpl`tor am ajuns pe mult<br />
l`udatul litoral bulg`resc [i trebuie s`<br />
recunosc c` am fost pl`cut impresionat.<br />
Sunt multe sta]iuni pe malul bulg`resc [i<br />
au într-o oarecare m`sur` [i un specific.<br />
Unele se adreseaz` tinerilor [i celor care<br />
doresc „g`l`gie”, iar restul... celorlal]i<br />
(adic` celor cu familii [i care doresc<br />
lini[te). Eu am ajuns în <strong>Albena</strong>, sta]iune<br />
<strong>din</strong> ce-a de-a doua categorie.<br />
Cazarea... ultimul <strong>hotel</strong> <strong>din</strong> sta]iune (de<br />
la nord spre sud) – Gergana. [tiam de<br />
pe net c` e vorba despre un <strong>hotel</strong> de 4<br />
stele, proasp`t renovat, 10 etaje, 293<br />
de camere (duble, single, apartament cu<br />
2 [i 4 paturi [i mezonete cu 2 paturi)<br />
aflat la contactul <strong>din</strong>tre mare [i<br />
rezerva]ia natural` Baltata. Fotografiile<br />
de pe Internet nu reu[esc s` transmit` cu<br />
adev`rat frumuse]ea locului, iar<br />
impresiile erau împ`r]ite. În ceea ce m`<br />
prive[te, v` spun doar c` m-a[ întoarce<br />
oricând cu pl`cere aici!<br />
O parte a <strong>hotel</strong>ului este pozi]ionat spre<br />
mare, iar cealalt` spre p`dure (evident<br />
exist` [i o latur` ce îmbin` cele dou`<br />
priveli[ti). Chiar pe lâng` <strong>hotel</strong> trece [i<br />
un râu (ce formeaz` ochiuri de ap` [i<br />
mla[tini în p`dure) ce se scurge la nici<br />
50 de m în mare. Intrarea [i zona de<br />
lobby este gândit` ca un loc de<br />
relaxare, cu tente rustice, unde po]i servi<br />
o b`utur` sau privi la televizor. Inten]ia<br />
a fost bine pus` în practic`, c`ci ai<br />
parte de r`coarea p`durii, ba chiar ai<br />
senza]ia c` nu mai e[ti la malul m`rii.<br />
Restaurantul dispune de o ofert`<br />
culinar` generoas`, numai bun` pentru<br />
gurmanzi. Este dotat cu aer condi]ionat<br />
[i o teras` mare, în total peste 1.000 de<br />
locuri. Oferta se completeaz` cu<br />
b`tuturile de la bar - reci/calde,<br />
alcoolice/nonalcoolice, locale/import ...<br />
Este lesne de intuit c` pachetele turistice<br />
sunt all inclusive: cazare, mas` b`uturi,<br />
2 [ezlonguri [i o umbrel` de soare per<br />
camer`, acces la piscin`. Relaxarea<br />
poate fi completat` cu o [e<strong>din</strong>]` de<br />
masaj, coafur`, frizerie, manichiur` sau<br />
pedichiur`. Sunt servicii contra cost, ca<br />
[i închirierea unei biciclete sau o<br />
c`l`torie cu barca prin rezerva]ie.<br />
Dac` a]i mâncat prea mult [i dori]i s` v`<br />
p`stra]i silueta, pute]i s` merge]i la sala<br />
de fitness, sau s` face]i o plimbare prin<br />
sta]iune (cel pu]in 2 ore f`r` s` repe]i<br />
traseul).<br />
Dup` cum spuneam [i la începutul<br />
articolului „m-a[ întoarce oricând cu<br />
pl`cere!”<br />
contact: Recep]ie : + 359 579 62910<br />
Hotel Manager: + 359 579 62905<br />
E-mail: gergana@<strong>albena</strong>.bg 23
24<br />
ALBENA MAGAZINE SEPTEMBRIE 2009<br />
Tex – Mex,<br />
Mexic sau<br />
<strong>Albena</strong>?<br />
Cam asta ar fi întrebarea pe care<br />
oricine [i-o pune în momentul în care<br />
ajunge pe aleea principal` <strong>din</strong> <strong>Albena</strong> [i<br />
vede restaurantul Tex-Mex, unde [ase<br />
mariachi fac atmosfer`.<br />
Peisajul muzical este completat de<br />
costuma]ia mexicanilor [i de buc`tarul<br />
restaurantului, mexican la origine, care<br />
preg`te[te pentru musafiri cele mai<br />
delicioase mânc`ruri, astfel c`<br />
recomand`m celor ce doresc s` se<br />
„condimenteze” un pic [i nu numai, un<br />
delicios buritto sau taco înso]it de un<br />
castron de nachos asortat cu salsa ro[ie<br />
(f`cut` <strong>din</strong> ro[ii) sau verde (f`cut` <strong>din</strong><br />
ardei). Bineîn]eles, aici nu va lipsi<br />
niciodat` Tequilla (Don Nachos),<br />
indiferent c` este vorba despre<br />
sortimentul Silver sau Gold [i berea<br />
mexican` Korona. Nu lipsesc nici altfel<br />
de b`uturi în afara celor mexicane [i<br />
<strong>din</strong>tre acestea amintim de berea Salitos<br />
(Tequila sau Mojito), vinurile bulg`re[ti,<br />
sucuri, liqueur-uri, rachiu bulg`resc [i<br />
altele asemenea lor.<br />
Restaurantul, construit pe dou` nivele,<br />
parter [i etaj, asigur` un num`r de<br />
aproximativ 100<br />
de locuri celor ce<br />
doresc s`<br />
petreac` aici o<br />
sear` de neuitat<br />
în<br />
acompaniamentul<br />
muzicii mexicane<br />
[i al preparatelor<br />
culinare cu specific<br />
mexican. Decorurile<br />
de pe pere]i [i<br />
aranjamentele <strong>din</strong><br />
interiorul restaurantului<br />
scot [i mai mult în eviden]`<br />
specificul localului.<br />
Directorul restaurantului, Kitcho, are<br />
întotdeauna grij` de oaspe]ii s`i, astfel<br />
c` este suficient s` te ui]i peste mas`, în<br />
direc]ia barului, [i a [i ap`rut lâng` tine<br />
s` te întrebe dac` totul este în regul` [i<br />
dac` mai dore[ti ceva. Atmosfera creat`<br />
de mariachi [i c`ldura cu care te<br />
primesc Kitcho sau Nina sunt<br />
principalele elemente pentru care este<br />
destul de greu s` g`se[ti o mas` liber`<br />
dup` ora 20.00. Aici nici m`car nu<br />
realizezi când trece timpul, acum vii [i<br />
comanzi ceva de<br />
mâncare sau de<br />
b`ut [i te treze[ti<br />
imediat c` s-a<br />
f`cut ora 23 sau<br />
poate chiar mai<br />
târziu.<br />
De[i restaurant cu<br />
specific mexican,<br />
deci destul de<br />
„condimentat”, Kitcho<br />
are grij` [i de cei care<br />
<strong>din</strong> motive obiective nu<br />
pot degusta picanteriile<br />
tradi]ionale, astfel c` se pot<br />
servi [i mânc`ruri mai<br />
„domestice” precum pui la gr`tar,<br />
friptur`, aperitive reci etc.<br />
Elementul de maxim` atrac]ie îl<br />
constituie orchestra de mariachi care<br />
sunt dispu[i s` cânte piese mexicane la<br />
cerere sau s` fac` poze cu cei prezen]i<br />
aici. Nu lipsesc nici p`l`riile f`cute <strong>din</strong><br />
paie sau pâsl`, a[a numitele sombrero,<br />
care, prin amabilitatea mariachi-lor se<br />
pot împrumuta pentru a face poze cu ele<br />
pe cap.
s t a f f ●<br />
MAGDALENA IVANOVA<br />
s<br />
Assistant Hotel Manager at the<br />
Flaming Grand, has, at the age of 30,<br />
an vast experience in hospitality. ’It is<br />
true that a lot of <strong>Albena</strong> Company’s<br />
employees are young and work with<br />
enthusiasm. When your parents work<br />
here, and you in turn come here every<br />
year, it is impossible not to love the<br />
resort. Here you can mix business<br />
with pleasure and this is a vital thing’<br />
says Ivanova. She graduated the<br />
Bulgarian-Dutch Hotel Colledge from<br />
<strong>Albena</strong> in 1999, then left for Spain<br />
where she continued her studies at<br />
the Hotel Colledge in Barcelona. She<br />
worked for 2 years at a private<br />
consulting firm specialised in HoReCa.<br />
After this she had an MBA in the<br />
Netherlands, from where she left for<br />
the United States. Here she worked<br />
for the famous Ritz Carlton company,<br />
at a <strong>hotel</strong> in the St. Thomas island in<br />
the Caribbean. She returned to<br />
Bulgaria at the beginning of the 2009<br />
season to work for the best <strong>hotel</strong> in<br />
<strong>Albena</strong>, the Flamingo Grand, naturally.<br />
t a f f ●<br />
s<br />
t a f f ●<br />
FLAMINGO<br />
GRAND<br />
MANAGEMENT<br />
ALBENA MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2009<br />
s<br />
t a f f ●<br />
SOSLAN KOKAEV<br />
(26 yeas old) is the manager of<br />
the Flamingo Grand Hotel since<br />
2008, since its inauguration. He<br />
started his career in <strong>Albena</strong>, in<br />
2002, as a receptionist at the 2<br />
star Kardam Hotel. Then he<br />
discovered his passion for<br />
working in tourism. He worked 5<br />
years as a receptionist, the last 3<br />
of these being spent with the<br />
Kaliopa Hotel. The manager of the<br />
4 star Flamingo Hotel has asked<br />
him, 2 years ago, to work here as<br />
the front office manager. After<br />
this he was co-opted in the team<br />
of the new 5 star Flamingo Grand<br />
Hotel. While it was being<br />
constructed he became manager.<br />
Soslan’s greatest challenge is the<br />
fact that <strong>Albena</strong>’s management<br />
offered him the opportunity to<br />
run the newest and most<br />
luxurious <strong>hotel</strong> in the resort,<br />
which in 2008 was named the<br />
best 5 star <strong>hotel</strong> in Bulgaria.<br />
25
26<br />
ALBENA MAGAZINE SEPTEMBRIE 2009
IEßI ÎN EVIDEN¥å!<br />
PROMOVARE PR PUBLICITATE<br />
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w w w . t o u r i s t m e d i a . r o
28<br />
ALBENA MAGAZINE SEPTEMBRIE 2009