Minister Angelkova had a working meeting with His Excellency Maceij Szymanski, Ambassador of Poland to Bulgaria

Minister of Tourism Nikolina Angelkova had a working meeting with H.E. Meceij Szymanski, Ambassador of Poland to Bulgaria, at her invitation. The main focus of the discussion was the termination of the activity of the tour operator “Thomas Cook” and its associated companies, one of which is “Neckermann Polska”, but they also discussed the possibilities for development of the tourism between the two countries.

Poland is a very important market for inbound tourism in our country and we will fully cooperate for the overcoming of the situation following the bankruptcy of “Thomas Cook” as well as for the stimulation of the visits of tourists from Poland. During the meeting it became clear that there are 92 Polish tourists who are currently in Bulgaria via the services of “Thomas Cook”.

Ambassador Meceij Szymanski commented that they had also learned the news for the bankruptcy of “Thomas Cook” with regret. He pointed that the companies had insurance and warranty fund thus not only the return of the Polish tourists could be organized if necessary, but also the continuation of the services for them through the fund. Ambassador Szymanski also pointed that so far no requests for assistance had been received in the embassy from Polish tourists in Bulgaria which meant that they hadn’t encountered problems.

Minister Angelkova discussed with H. E. Szymanski the possibilities of our hotel keepers to address the warranty fund of Poland and their possible establishment as debtors if a common claim was prosecuted. “As a government we are doing our best to minimize the damages for the Bulgarian business and to ensure the successful return of all tourists following the termination of the activity of the big tour operator,” said the Bulgarian minister. “It is very important for the image of Bulgaria as a destination for organized tourism to work together and solve the situation in the best possible way. That’s why our teams are on site in the hotels and assist them and the tourist,” commented the minister.