I think that business in the tourism sector is leading and we should support it in every way. My goal is to set realistic, achievable tasks and I will give all my energy and determination to current problems.
This was stated by the Minister of Tourism Evtim Miloshev at the meeting initiated by him with representatives of the National Tourism Board, the Bulgarian Association of Restaurants, the Association of Restaurants in Bulgaria, the Association of Bulgarian Tour Operators and Travel Agents, the Bulgarian Association of Travel Agencies, the Tourism Association, Association “Future for Tourism” and the Association of Incoming Agencies.
During the meetings, Minister Miloshev presented his priorities and highlighted the preparation for the upcoming summer season as the main one. He also underlined the readiness of the Ministry for active work on the creation of a tourist guarantee fund.
The tourism minister also got a first-hand look at the problems facing businesses in the sector, pledging despite the caretaker government’s short horizon to do everything possible to resolve them.
“Your success will be our success. We work for sustainable and long-term policies, in our work with each minister of tourism we want to do something meaningful”, said Dr. Polina Karastoyanova – executive director of the National Board of Tourism. Dr. Karastoyanova emphasized the readiness and desire of the NBT for joint work with the Ministry of Tourism and presented the organization’s priorities, among which are the creation of the “Bulgaria” Brand, the National Tourist Office, joint initiatives, etc.
“Your active work on the creation of a tourist guarantee fund is a great opportunity to consolidate tourist organizations as well. We can initiate these changes, the same applies to the national strategy for tourism,” emphasized Dr. Martin Zahariev from NBT.
“On the threshold of the summer season for the restaurant industry in Bulgaria, the most serious problem we face is the difficult procedure for hiring seasonal workers from third countries. The import of labor is extremely cumbersome, with very difficult and slow procedures, and there are no Bulgarian workers,” emphasized Richard Alibegov – co-chairman of the Bulgarian Association of Restaurants.
Alibegov also expressed his support and readiness for joint work with the Ministry of Tourism.
All tour operator organizations united around the desire to develop a concrete mechanism to solve the problems that the gray sector in tourism causes, stressing that organizations in the sector are fighting for regulation.
“With us, a big problem is the gray sector, we don’t have a single control body in this area. It is a world practice to have a tourist police, each of our neighboring countries has one,” said Pavlina Ilieva from the “Future for Tourism” Association.
The Association of Incoming Agencies emphasized that the issue of queues at the border points should be resolved by increasing the capacity of the checkpoints.
At the same time, they expressed their hope that the advertising program of the Black Sea municipalities would be continued and developed.
“It’s also the most meaningful thing that’s ever happened in terms of advertising. I am pleased by your desire for continuity. And hopefully you will not only continue, but also develop this program, because you have the leverage to do significant things for tourism in our country,” said Vencislav Tanchev from the Association.
Minister Evtim Miloshev welcomed all organizations from the sector, declared his support and emphasized that the professional expertise of everyone working in the industry is of key importance for the development of tourism in our country. Meetings with the industry will continue on Tuesday – April 16, 2024.
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