We, the representatives of the restaurant and hotel business, understand the difficult situation in which the country finds itself, squeezed by a huge financial deficit, but thousands of our enterprises are also in a similar difficult economic situation, which in recent years have been most affected by force majeure circumstances, economic crises, wars, loss of market shares and constant outflow of personnel.
This is what I write in my position from the industry organizations, distributed to the media.
Here is what they insist on:
It is precisely for these reasons, taking into account the specifics of the tourism business, that the differentiated VAT rate has become a permanent measure in almost all European countries as well as in all our direct regional tourism competitors, despite the economic difficulties that they also experience.
Many arguments, economic, statistical and other, were repeatedly put forward by representatives of the industry at a series of meetings, before the formation of the current government, both to Bulgarian politicians and to the public. We call on the ruling Bulgarian politicians to show concern for domestic tourism and to make a reasonable and reasoned decision to make the differentiated VAT rate for restaurant services, with the exception of alcoholic beverages, a permanent measure in our country, in line with European practices.
We insist: for an urgent meeting with Mr. Boyko Borisov and representatives of the local government council, at which we can present our estimates, calculations, demands and proposals!
It seems that our diplomatic and dialogical approach is not being taken into account, but we are counting on reason to prevail over political bias!
We announce preparations for immediate protest actions, some of which will start this weekend, namely “9 minutes of darkness for 9% VAT".
In all establishments in the country at 9 p.m., the lights will go out for 9 minutes, under the motto “Politicians, save Bulgarian tourism".