Minister Ilin Dimitrov launched the Tourism Reform Council

The new format unites institutions and the tourism industry to develop specific reforms in the sector

The Minister of Tourism, Dr. Ilin Dimitrov, announced the launch of the Tourism Reform Council - a new operational format through which the state and the tourism sector will work together to prepare and implement specific legislative, administrative and organizational changes.

The founding meeting was held in the Granite Hall of the Council of Ministers with the participation of the responsible Deputy Prime Minister Ivo Hristov, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, Investments and Industry Alexander Pulev, representatives of state institutions, municipalities and nationally represented organizations in tourism.

"Today we are launching a new way of working. Together we will determine what reforms are needed to transform tourism into one of the sectors that truly drive the Bulgarian economy, regional development and build Bulgaria's international image," Minister Dimitrov said.

He outlined the main priorities in the work of the Council - improving transport and air connectivity, increasing the quality of the tourist product, advertising and positioning of Bulgaria, the investment environment, short-term accommodation, administrative regimes and more effective coordination between institutions.

Deputy Prime Minister Ivo Hristov reminded that Bulgaria will be in the focus of international media as the host of Eurovision and this is an opportunity to forge its image as a tourist destination.

"It is important to bring the "Brand Bulgaria" project to a more complete form so that a tourist knows what to expect. Because we are not optimally using our resources," Hristov said.

Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Pulev informed about the creation of a single coordination unit under the auspices of the Prime Minister, which will implement the first investment instrument in support of business. He invited the industry to a meeting to discuss reducing the administrative burden and activating financial support measures through the Bulgarian Bank for Development and the Fund of Funds.

According to Minister Ilin Dimitrov, the success of tourism reforms depends on joint efforts in the sector.

"We are all in the same boat - the state, the business, the people who work in tourism, the local communities and the tourists. If we row in different directions, we will stay in place. But with a common direction, clear rules and mutual trust, Bulgaria has the potential to be an even more competitive and preferred destination," the Minister of Tourism said.

The main principle in the work of the Tourism Reform Council will be open dialogue and equal participation of all organizations.

Its activities will be organized by direction with the participation of hoteliers, restaurateurs, tour operators, concessionaires and tenants, tour guides, mountain guides, animators and representatives of local authorities. The proposals will be collected in a single format so that they can be discussed and transformed into concrete measures.

The Ministry of Tourism will summarize all proposals received from the industry and will begin work on reforms that can be implemented in a short time. It is planned that the first meetings of the working subgroups will be held during the summer months, and that a general package of measures for the development of Bulgarian tourism will be prepared by the end of the year.