Tourism Minister Dinkova: Prospects for Winter Season Are Positive

UPDATED Tourism Minister Dinkova: Prospects for Winter Season Are Positive

Konstantin Karagyozov

Tourism Minister Zaritsa Dinkova (BTA Photo)

Samokov, Southwestern Bulgaria,

18.12.2023 17:20 | UPDATED 18.12.2023 17:50

(BTA)

Addressing the forum "BG TOURISM - WINTER 2023/2024" in Samokov on Monday, Tourism Minister Zaritsa Dinkova said the prospects for Bulgarian tourism this winter are positive and business representatives are encouraged by the bookings made so far. She pointed out that last year there was a 13% increase, compared to the pre-pandemic 2019.

Dinkova commented on the extension of the measure of reduced VAT rate of 9% for establishments, which was introduced because of the coronavirus crisis. "From the very beginning, when it became clear that we have a problem with the commission's position, I stood firmly in defence of the 9% [VAT] for businesses. My team and I immediately got in touch with the Ministry of Finance," Dinkova said, commenting on the decision of the Parliamentary Committee on Budget and Finance, which voted to remove the reduced VAT for tour operators, as of January 1, 2024.

The minister added that her team immediately got in touch with the business industry to find the best arguments.

"We will either come up with a public position or we will have the 9%", she said, adding that sometimes it takes soft diplomacy and negotiations to get the right results.

The forum "BG TOURISM - WINTER 2023/2024" is currently taking place in Samokov's art gallery.

The discussion is organized by the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA). It is the fourth edition of BTA's initiative for forums on tourism, which are held twice every year at the beginning of the summer and winter seasons to discuss the messages in the presentation of tourism in Bulgaria in the coming season with representatives of state and municipal institutions, the tourism business, NGOs, academics and experts.

/PP/