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

EC closes the infringement procedure against Bulgaria related to the flood risk management plans

The European Commission has decided to close the infringement procedure against Bulgaria for the non-implementation of its obligations to review and update the Second Flood Risk Management Plans and the Third River Basin Management Plans.  A statement..

published on 2/17/25 5:40 PM
Acad. Ivan Todorov

One of the brightest Bulgarian minds passed away - physicist Ivan Todorov

Physicist Acad. Ivan Todorov passed away at the age of 91, the press center of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences announced. Acad. Todorov was a scientist with outstanding achievements and world recognition in the field of modern..

published on 2/17/25 4:13 PM

Sofia Airport operates normally in winter conditions

Sofia Airport operates normally in winter conditions, BTA has reported. The runways for take off and landing have been cleaned. The aircraft are being treated against icing. Passengers are advised to arrive at the terminals at..

published on 2/17/25 2:44 PM