Safety problems among heavy-drinking youth at a Bulgarian nightlife resort

Background: Vacations at international nightlife resorts represent an important but also risky element in the lives of youth in many countries. There is an urgent need for evaluating the role played by bars and nightclubs in producing and reducing risks; this task is important, especially at upcoming nightlife resorts with limited experience in managing young partygoers from other countries. Methods: Seven weeks of ethnographic fieldwork was conducted during the summer 2007 at the emerging Bulgarian nightlife resort, Sunny Beach. The research instrument "KAReN" was used as a guideline to evaluate the safety conditions in nine bars and three nightclubs. Results: The evaluation highlights five key factors at the venues that put young tourists in danger: violent security staff, overcrowding, shattered glass on the floor, dancing on furniture, and irresponsible alcohol serving. Action is needed to improve the safety conditions at the venues of Sunny Beach and other nightlife resorts. The improvements call for integrated strategies involving travel agencies, local authorities, health services, tourists and venues.