Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Tour operators call for state aid, but tourist sector is divided

Protest of tour operators in Sofia, March 2,2021
Photo: BTA

Representatives of the tourism industry from the association "Future for Tourism" have organized a protest in front of the Council of Ministers in central Sofia. They are calling for state aid because of the pandemic. They want a reduction of VAT for tourism to 5% in the next 2 years. They also want an extension of the period for refund of prepaid amounts for cancelled trips abroad, which expires on March 13. It is demanded that a state guarantee fund of 35 million euros be created to cover the money to their clients.


The Association of Bulgarian Tour Operators and Travel Agents told BNR's Horizon program that they did not support the protest. They believe that this will create inequality in the sector in relation to state aid.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Turnover of retail chains marks rise of over 1 million euros during third boycott

On the day of the third boycott of large retail chains their turnover increased by over 1 million euros, according to data from the National Revenue Agency. A day earlier, traders reported revenue of over 12,7 million euros, while on..

published on 3/1/25 11:08 AM
Borislav Sarafov

Borislav Sarafov wants the immunity of two more MPs lifted

Acting Prosecutor General Borislav Sarafov requested lifting the immunities of MPs Bozhidar Bozhanov and Kiril Petkov from “We Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria”. A day earlier, he took the same action against four MPs from..

published on 3/1/25 9:55 AM
The village of Chuprene will also benefit from the programme.

Centres for integration and inclusive education to open in five small towns

Five centres for educational, social and health services are being established in small towns as part of the programme "Promoting Justice: Health and Inclusive Education for All - ZOV 2", funded by the Bulgarian-Swiss Cooperation Programme. The..

published on 3/1/25 7:05 AM