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

Bulgaria wants to invite mayors from Taraclia to gain insight into how the European Union functions

Bulgaria supports the start of EU accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, said Bulgaria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Georg Georgiev during the EU Foreign Affairs Council held in Luxembourg. European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos..

published on 10/21/25 9:54 AM

President Radev appoints ambassadors to Belgium, the Netherlands and Kazakhstan

President Rumen Radev has issued decrees appointing Bulgarian ambassadors to the Kingdom of Belgium, the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Republic of Kazakhstan. The decrees were published in the State Gazette, reported BTA. Natalia Evgenieva..

published on 10/21/25 9:14 AM

Sofia’s Da Fest explores signals from an uncertain world

The 10th edition of the International Festival Da Fest presents works by leading global digital artists. Organised by Da Lab and the National Academy of Art, the five-day event begins today in Sofia. This year's theme, “Anxiety: Signals from an..

published on 10/21/25 9:05 AM