Problems in the tourism sector continue to remain unresolved, despite the promises of a series of rulers and pre-election declarations by the main political forces in the country.
Tourism is definitely not a priority of the state, although it directly and indirectly contributes to between 13 and 15 percent of the country's GDP, and hundreds of thousands of people are employed in the sector.
Participants in the General Assembly of the Bulgarian Hotel and Restaurant Association (BHRA) united around this opinion.
Nothing was done this year to attract tourists in the wings of the season. Targeted advertising of the tourist product that Bulgaria offers is necessary, say the BHRA categorically. For years, the nationally represented organization with 36 regional structures has been insisting on allocating a percentage of tourism revenues to the treasury for targeted and effective advertising of the sector. Currently, the main expenses are for videos and presentations at exchanges, but the contribution of these actions remains immeasurable. At the same time, the association has been offering measures that have been proven to work for years, such as subsidizing charter and bus programs in the wings of the season.
The summer tourist season has already shrunk to 40 days, the resorts remain empty in April, May, June, September and October, but nothing is being done to extend it, representatives of the Board of Directors of BHRA pointed out during the General Assembly of the organization.
According to the members of the Association's Board of Directors, advertising expenses, as well as programs for advertising our country as a tourist destination with the help of municipalities and tour operators, should be continued, but should also be tied to real results, measurable by the number of tourists arriving in the wings of the season. And only if this condition is met, then 100 percent of the stipulated amount should be paid. Because in July and August, even without the efforts of the institutions and officials, only thanks to God, the resorts have their guests, even if they are not completely full, BHRA explained.
Among the main concerns of the sector is the deepening demographic collapse in the country, which forces employers not only in the tourism sector to look for employees from third countries outside the EU. A government policy is needed to stop the extinction of the nation, to stimulate young families to have more children. Action is also needed to reduce unemployment, including by providing benefits, training and qualification courses for seasonal tourism workers. As well as, in the meantime, easing the regimes for attracting employees from third countries, BHRA emphasizes.
The rules for hiring personnel from third countries and easing the visa regime must be made jointly with the industry and be respected by the consular services, the BHRA insists. Instead, at the moment, meetings are constantly held with the representatives of the tourism sector, supposedly to solve the problems, but in reality the time and efforts of the business are wasted without any effect, the association emphasized. Especially since these meetings should be held long before the start of the season, not when the real problems arise.
Visas for tourists from third countries outside the EU should be issued online in order to support the sector, reduce costs for business and the state, but also as a measure to limit the effects of the demographic crisis and the lack of staff, explained the BHRA. But since this process is dependent on the EU, its decision is constantly delayed. A is quite possible and restraining should start with online submission, processing of documents and return of answers, which will save a lot of time and cost to the business.
The question of the status of the national resorts also remains unresolved, without which there is no way our summer and winter tourism will have the appearance that the industry hopes for and that tourists are looking for. New rules for the concessioning of beaches and ski lifts are also needed.
Also left unanswered on the agenda are more and more important issues such as the police presence in the resorts, ensuring fire safety, medical care, garbage collection and garbage disposal in the resorts. Things that are the alphabet of tourism, and we neglect them, although we have claims to be a tourist destination, BHRA points out.
At the same time, the only government focus on tourism is for revenue collection, but not for real prioritization of the sector. We hope that successive pre-election meetings and promises will not remain just wishful thinking again and that the rulers will prioritize the sector and recognize the enormous importance of tourism for the local economy through efforts to ease the hotel, restaurant and tour operator business.
The political forces should not forget that those employed directly and indirectly in tourism are more than the potential electorate of any political force in Bulgaria, emphasized the BHRA.