PSV Eindhoven enjoyed the Bulgarian Black Sea coast
We were quite busy at the beginning of the new UEFA competition season when the draw crosses the path of our FC Cherno More with the Dutch giant PSV Eindhoven. Straight after the draw we established a contact with OAD Reizen, the official travel partner of the club, and after quick exchange of correspondence we appointed site inspection just three days after the draw!
As match venue was given Stadium “Lazur” in Burgas, we focused on three major points to be visited: Burgas, Pomorie and the highly ranked Seaside resort Sunny Beach located about 35 km away from stadium.
PSV is well known club with its great impact in Europa during the last three decades and as the most popular team in Netherlands among with FC Ajax, travelling with different groups abroad. The groups for the Black Sea Coast trip was made of PSV Team ~ 31 pax; Board & Sponsors ~ 50 pax; Business Partners ~ 35 pax; Media ~ 25 pax; Supporters ~ 20 pax.
The Challenge
The match was scheduled on 6th August during the peak of the high season on our South coastline, but despite of this fact we were able to secure the needed accommodation for the different groups. To do this we spent the weekend, just after the draw was accomplished on 17th July, going through more than 40 hotels in the Burgas region and returning to everyone with a solution that meets their requirements, two days later. We did that by using previous experience in that area of Bulgaria.
At the beginning AIM Bulgaria went afte two high class properties; one for the Team & Staff and one for Board & Sponsors group. Selection included the pearl of our South coastline Grand Hotel Pomorie and of the top hotels of Sunny Beach – Festa Panorama. That was our most important goal and than we sourced for the media and the supporters. AIM was also asked to take care of the lunch and evening dining arrangements for all groups, as well as taking care over a the social programme for all Board & Sponsors.
The Solution
Day One
All selected hotel properties were in a distance from each other, but chosen with the idea to be closer to their purpose of stay – the team was on an isolated place with easy road access to the stadium /not more than 30 min drive/; the Board & Sponsors next to the beach with a lot of nightlife opportunities; the Media in a hotel with excellent internet and close to the stadium /about 15 min drive/; supporters on crowded place in the central area of Burgas very close to stadium.
We started just after the arrival of PSV Delegation with a visit of UNESCO’s “ancient Nessebar” and superb wine tasting at the sea shore of Pomorie. We used for support two great German speaking guides. The evening continued with a Gala Dinner at an astonishing place directly on the beach, where the guests tasted some amazing seafood on the open terrace of the “Atrium” venue. Afterwards the night finished in style at the biggest disco at the Sunny beach resort.
In search of something typically Bulgarian, the club partner’s group were taken to Medovo village for dinner including a local folklore programme and cuisine.
Day Two and Departure
Last day began with a Board & Sponsors sailing tour. The event started from Nessebar Old Town pier, where provision with high class catering was organized and the group enjoyed a lovely lunch in the bay of Nessebar. Mr. Michiel ten Brinke (Travel Manager of OAD Reizen) stated: “Perfect way to start a match day”. For the supporters we organized a beach football tournament, where Heineken /one of the team top sponsors/ was available throughout the tournament.
In the late afternoon, everybody was transported to the “Lazur” Stadium.
