Caretaker Minister of Tourism: Tour operators must prove that they have used the funds paid to them in a proper manner

After a meeting between the “Future for Tourism” Association and caretaker Minister of Torusim, Stella Baltova, cabinet spokesman Anton Kutev said on June 29 it was neither the first nor the last meeting, but it was important to hear the protesters' position.

Pavlina Ilieva from the Future for Tourism Association commented on the conditions for applying for the aid of BGN 16.5 million for payment with end customers.

Talks will continue tomorrow, she said, expressing hope that differences with the ministry will be overcome.

"The grant decree is completely lawful. Tour operators must prove that the funds they received with the first part of the aid were spent correctly to pay the clients. There will be additional online explanations for applying," said caretaker Minister Baltova.

Tour operators staged a protest demanding the resignation of caretaker Minister of Tourism

The tour operators proposed to cancel this notification and move to a new one.

"I think we will reach an agreement," Stella Baltova said.

Pavlina Ilieva of the Future for Tourism Association said the demand for Stella Baltova's resignation was a last resort to enter into dialogue.

"Our problem is that the decree of the Council of Ministers is in contradiction with Article 26 A, it does not help us to take the funds, but gives us criteria that are insurmountable," Ilieva said.

"A new notification can be reached only if the industry requests it and there is no other option," said Anton Kutev.

The holidays of 150,000 Bulgarian tourists are on the verge of failure after the big Greek tour operator Mouzenidis Travel announced that it will stop working until July 31. Until then, the Thessaloniki-based tour operator will try to cash some of its assets and pay off its creditors, while negotiating financial support with the state.

Regarding Mouzenidis Travel, Stella Baltova said: "What happened shows that the company has problems in both Greece and Bulgaria. Last Friday we were informed and I immediately asked my Greek counterpart for information. At the moment, the Greek state does not consider to support the tour operator. The Bulgarian company owes a lot of money and is not included in the guarantee fund, but only insurance, which is very small ".

"We need this help vitally. If a second procedure is needed, it means a month and a half," Pavlina Ilieva said.

"The government wants to solve the problem as soon as possible," Anton Kutev said.

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