The proposal for Evtim Miloshev to become acting minister of tourism definitely surprised and even shocked the industry. At least this is what the first reactions indicate after the unexpected election of Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev, who is known as a great prankster.
„The show in the sector will continue, as it has been until now, to be managed by people without experience and expertise. It is already turning into a series with several seasons, Prof. Georgi Rachev, vice-president of the Bulgarian Association of Travel Agencies (BATA) and owner of a tour operator, commented to TravelNews. According to him, electing a person with no experience in tourism shows that the industry is not a priority for the state.
„This is another production that will be played in tourism. A complete mockery of business,” said Pavlina Ilieva, president of the Association of Tour Operators and Travel Agents “Union Future for Tourism” (OBT). She emphasized that the sector is placed in the corner of Bulgaria's economy.
The chairman of the Bulgarian Hotel and Restaurant Association (BHRA), Georgi Shterev, believes that once again the election of a minister without experience in tourism shows the weak position of the industry among those in charge.
„There is no hearing and it is high time that we all in the sector come together and not continue to split into new organizations,”, he said. Shterev otherwise has nothing against the personality of Evtim Miloshev, as he does not know him.
„When I heard the name of Evtim Miloshev, that he was marrying the Minister of Tourism, I thought it was a joke, or rather, it refers to the Ministry of Culture. Now I realize that tourism is actually part of the entertainment industry, let it be fun!“, announced Ventsislav Tanchev from the Association of Incoming Agencies, which includes the representatives of the major foreign tour operators in our country.