Economy Minister Expects 5-10 Per Cent Growth of Tourism in Summer

Sofia, February 17  - Bulgarian Economy, Energy and Tourism
Minister Traicho Traikov expects between 5 and 10 per cent
growth of tourism this coming summer.

"Along with some other economic sectors such as high- and
medium-technology industries, tourism coped well with the
crisis," Traikov said here on Thursday. "The total number of
tourists increased by over 5 per cent last year. A growth of 5
to 10 per cent is expected for the winter season, and the
expectations of the summer season are similar," the Minister
added, specifying that the expected growth is above all of
tourism revenues.

Asked to comment on travel agencies and tour operators' plans to
seek a postponement of the increase of VAT for tourism until
October, Traikov said that thanks to his Ministry's efforts, the
initial plans are far better for the sector than they could
have been and the present solution is the best possible one.

Approached for reaction to the fact that some hotels are giving
up their star rating to meet the requirements of the new visitor
tax, the Minister said that mechanisms had to be sought for
fair treatment of those who pay and not just of those who don't
pay. He asked rhetorically whether with the previosuly existing
visitor fee it was normal for small or medium-sized towns with
three or four hotels to have not a single overnight stay logged
in the course of a month.

Traikov said that the new Tourism Bill provides for the
establishment of a National Tourism Organization as a
representative body of the entire industry that will pool
efforts when important decisions are made for the development of
the sector by the business community and the State. Another
highlight of the new draft law is tourist zoning, with an option
of the zones being coextensive with the administrative units.

"I absolutely disagree with the possibility of Bulgarian
tourists being denied use of tourist services at the prices
applicable to foreigners," the Minister said, replying to a
question. He described as "inadmissible" cases, if any, in which
Bulgarians have been denied benefiting from conditions
available to foreigners.

Traikov spoke to journalists at the opening of the International
Tourist Fair HOLIDAY & SPA Expo 2011 at Sofia's National Palace
of Culture (February 17-19). Taking part are over 290 Bulgarian
and foreign tour operators and travel agents, regional and
local branch and product tourism organizations. The participants
include 50 companies from Greece, Italy, Tunisia, Turkey,
Germany and other countries.

/BTA/

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