Bulgarian hoteliers claim that thefts from hotels have been on the rise in recent years, with some tourists going home with everything from toilet paper, tableware, towels, to mattresses, televisions and works of art, according to the Bulgarian publication Telegraf, cited by Novinite.
Thefts from Bulgarian hotels, constantly increasing Photo: Archive
Hoteliers across the country have shared their experiences of thefts, noting that many of these incidents involve foreign visitors.
“In particular, smaller items such as blankets, pillows and bathrobes are common targets, with some guests even managing to take larger items such as televisions, particularly from ground or first floor rooms. In the resort town of Bansko, thefts have been facilitated through windows and terraces, while others exploit lifts that provide direct access to garages to steal larger items such as mattresses.”say the hoteliers.
The representatives of hotel chains have found that, in recent years, the theft trend has also extended to food and drinks in hotel rooms and restaurants. For example, there have been reported cases of guests, especially those from abroad, stealing items from plates and cutlery to drinks from the minibar.
“One notable case involved two families who stole entire sets of crockery from an all-inclusive restaurant, highlighting the scale of the problem. While local tourists tend to take only small items such as toilet paper rolls, tourists from Western countries often steal bath and beach towels, while those from Eastern Europe frequently take branded glasses and fruit in excess”the hoteliers say.
Luxury hotels are hunted. Guests consume the contents of the minibar and fill their bottles with tap water to avoid taxes.
“This issue, along with the theft of items such as remote controls and light bulbs, points to a wider problem of thefts motivated by different reasons and levels of entitlement among guests. In some cases, such as in Stara Zagora and its mineral baths, towels are targeted because of their higher value compared to other hotel amenities“, writes the cited publication.
Fraud has also been reported at large all-inclusive resorts, where tourists misuse wristbands that allow access to all facilities and all food.
The scheme involves tourists selling wristbands to other people, who then get free access to the resort’s facilities. This practice has led to cases where guests, after losing their wristbands, receive new ones from the hotel, while their friends enjoy the benefits without paying.
Other forms of dishonesty include guests who have consumed all the products in their room’s refrigerator and left without checking out properly.
“One notorious case involved two men who repeatedly emptied hotel fridges and then left without paying. This scheme has been reported in various locations, including Blagoevgrad and Albena, although the consequences of these actions remain unclear”the hoteliers told.
