AIRPORT ANNOUNCES NEW DESTINATION
09.06.05, LYNETTE ALCOCK, EDP24 Package holidays to one of the world's fastest growing destinations will be available from Norwich International airport next summer. Bulgaria has seen a huge boost in tourism in recent years, with people flocking to the country for its beaches, skiing, hospitality, culture and scenery. It is also becoming an increasingly popular area for second-home owners - with house prices still relatively cheap. Thomas Cook announced yesterday it will run the four-hour flight to Bourgas airport in the south of Bulgaria every Friday from May 12 until October 13, 2006. Holiday-makers will stay in the resort of Sunny Beach, which is a 35-minute transfer away. Sunny Beach lies on the Black Sea coast, flanked by the picturesque Emine mountains. Bulgaria is also attractive because it offers great value for money; two can dine out for as little as Ј20 for a three-course meal, including a bottle of local wine. Rachael Kelley, Bulgaria programme manager at Thomas Cook, said: “This is a significant move in terms of opening up Bulgaria to holidaymakers in the East Anglian region. “We featured Bulgaria for the first time in 2004, and we have seen over a 200pc rise in the number of people booking to go to Bulgaria to date. “At Thomas Cook we are keen to increase the choice of destinations from East Anglia, and this is one of our fastest growing and best- selling holiday hotspots.” The news comes as Norwich International announced passenger numbers have hit an all-time high, with 52,366 people jetting out of the city last month. Over the last year the introduction of flights to five UK destinations has seen passenger numbers swell, rising 21pc from last May's figure of 43,154. It comes hot on the heels of an announcement by cut-price airline Flybe to further extend routes out of Norwich to include a range of European destinations as well as two extra UK destinations. On Tuesday, Flybe's sales and marketing director, Mike Rutter, told the EDP that at least five extra planes would be operating out of the airport by 2006, offering flights to cities like Malaga and Palma for as little as Ј29.99. Airport spokeswoman Debbie Edwards said: “The peak summer season hasn't even started, our peak months are June, July and August, so it is looking very promising for these months. “What we are hoping now is that we will see a month-on- month increase.” Director of terminal and customer services Trevor Eady said: “We are seeing a considerable number of new passengers using the airport. The introduction of low-fare operations is attracting passengers who previously used Stansted or other transport alternatives. We look forward to the introduction of Flybe's daily Glasgow service on June 16.” Thomas Cook offers seven nights half-board at the three- star Hotel Belleville in Sunny Beach from Ј278, total price for two adults, departing Norwich on May 12, 2006.
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