Bulgaria's Tourism Minister: Tour Operators and Travel Agents Will Be Supported With BGN 10 Million

Tour operators and travel agents will be supported with BGN 10 million. They will be redirected by the Innovation and Competitiveness Program. The Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism Mariana Nikolova, the Minister of Economy Lachezar Borisov and representatives of the Future for Tourism Association agreed on this at a meeting.

"What I can do is to transform BGN 10 million from the Ministry of Economy, because there is such money set there that you can go and negotiate with the Minister of Economy," Prime Minister Borissov was quoted as saying by the government's press service.

The application criteria have already been set. Those wishing to receive the aid will submit a request to the Ministry of Tourism. They will not be able to use the services of intermediaries and consultants. They can apply for aid amounting to no more than 10% of the income for the previous year.

The Minister of Tourism announced that he expects the program to work in August.

"This money is not enough, but it is a breath of fresh air for them," Mariana Nikolova commented. "The application will be under a light regime and with fast deadlines."

Guides do not fall within the scope of this measure, they will be considered a social measure.

"There will be no subjectivism, there will be clear criteria and funds will be absorbed quickly. We plan to save 2 months from the application process ", added the Minister of Economy Lachezar Borisov.

"We are glad that the dialogue has started, we hope it will continue," said Pavlina Ilieva, Future for Tourism Association.

She stressed that they want BGN 150 million in aid from the industry. Importantly, however, it started with those 10 million.

Ilieva...