Bulgaria's PM to Appoint Deputy Transport Minister Next Week

Following a meeting with tourism industry representatives worried by the administrative roadblock in the sector, Bulgarian Prime Minister Plamen Oresharski vowed that a Deputy Minister in charge of Tourism would be appointed next week.

"Since the active tourist season is underway, for the time being we shall keep the existing structures and we shall appoint a Deputy Minister in charge of tourism. We shall refrain from institutional restructuring at this particularly inappropriate moment," he announced in a Thursday statement.

Oresharski made clear that a broad discussion with tourism industry workers would be organized over the next two months to discuss the partnership strategy with the European Commission, adding that the funding of promotions and advertising would be a point of special interest.

He noted that he had tasked Deputy Prime Minister Daniela Bobeva with collecting all proposals for urgent changes to the legal framework in the sector or to separate procedures.

Oresharski said that Bobeva was to present a report on the condition of the tourism sector at one of the next sittings of the government so that the concrete measures could be taken.

"We agreed to continue the discussions later into the autumn, when we shall also exchange views on long-term strategies in the tourism sector and the institutional framework which will regulate the respective agency or ministry or the existing body," Bulgaria's Prime Minister explained.

Bayko Baykov, Chair of the Association of Bulgarian Tour Operators, stressed that industry representatives demanded the establishment of a Tourism Ministry.

Economy and Energy Minister Dragomir Stoynev assured that the classification of tourist sites would not face delays.

"A person will be authorized to sign these documents, so there will be no delay whatsoever. Businesses may relax. I assured them that everything possible is being done, taking into account that legal initiatives are also being prepared at the moment," Stoynev stated.

Bulgaria's Economy and Energy Minister admitted that there was a certain delay in the sphere of public procurement procedures for advertising, adding that the center-right GERB government and the caretaker government had totally neglected a strategic sector like tourism.

Stoynev concluded by echoing the expectations of tourism companies of a successful summer season.

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