Ivo Marinov, deputy minister of tourism, to Viktor Ivanov
- Mr. Marinov has a successful summer season?
- And according to the country’s business and the season is better than last summer. Data for January to June show that the number of foreign tourists is 7% more and those who come specifically for recreation, growth was 9.1%. Revenue from tourism last year compared with 5.2 percent more. So I hope the forecast 10% growth in number of tourists and 6-7% of revenues to be true. This, of course, not all hotels – those higher category and closer to the beach, you’ll have much better employment.
- I will kill millions who were given ad, and there does it effect? Growth is not a result of events in North Africa?
- No. North Africa, no one knows what effect for Bulgaria. Tunisia is our only competitor in this region. Egypt is a destination for cultural tourism, which is perennial. Moreover, German and Russian tour operators have stopped bookings to Egypt. Growth factors are rather improved image of the country and the preservation of good ratio price – quality. Advertising in Germany and Russia also work. Recently, more and more Russian citizens traveling inside Bulgaria. In Russia, the campaign cost 1.2 million lev and growth, we note that as the number of visas issued are 42% over 2010 and 100% compared to 2009
- I will keep those tourists after frequent incidents in our resorts?
- The effect is only for children’s camps. We expect every moment to come report on the state health inspector, but especially for cases in Obzor cause is food poisoning, a virus. The fact is that despite the incidents Bulgaria is the second destination after Turkey sea for Russian citizens. Once we are Greece, Spain, Croatia, Montenegro.
But in Golden Sands German child died because someone’s irresponsibility, you think next year there will again German tourists?
- In Germany, things have calmed down. We responded immediately by the German association of tour operators and not noticeable outflow of German tourists. The point is that these things happen everywhere. On the same day when it was unfortunately in Bulgaria, has died and 8-year-old boy in Turkey. We will take measures in the future this may not be repeated.
- What measures?
- Currently finalizing a study of the legislation next week and will ask for meetings with the Ministries of Health and Regional Development to discuss the pools and the equipment thereof. We believe that there are gaps in the law on spatial planning and generally throughout the regulations.
- Who is to blame pools to be reviewed and to receive permits after the end of summer, but not before it?
- Swimming pools are in use and are legal. There is an ordinance of 1996 activity and protection of water areas, and it predicts that by March 31 mayors formed a working group to check the pool to 21 April and these checks are made. Obviously these terms are not sufficient. It is best to control pools in Obzor to go to the governors, not the mayors.
- More frequent and deaths by drunk tourists. Is this now the Bulgarian tourism – groups of drunk people?
- No, no. This depends on the profile of tourists by nationality and age. The fact is that some countries where the age for alcohol is high, tourists catching up with things forbidden at home. Nowhere in national ads will advertise Bulgaria as a tourism destination for alcohol. Apparently humans, he came and saw the prices of alcohol and entertainment opportunities, is a prerequisite. In Ibiza Spain is the same.
- Will you change the image of Bulgaria?
- The strategy is clear – to impose Bulgaria as a year round destination with priority and cultural tourism. With the transformation of cultural monuments into tourist attractions that will happen. The issue is that many years ago, nothing has done in this direction.
- Do you intend to prevent or at least regulate alcoholic organized tours?
- If you go to the ban, it will be difficult. Better to put the rules for their regulation. This year was a limited number of people in alcohol tours were provided for start and end time of these tours. The rules are a better way, and after several years with a change in the profile of tourists, these is not disappear, at least will decrease significantly.
- Have you any idea how much alcohol tourist revenues represent the industry?
- Most come for the summer holiday in Obzor. Seen as a place that has this type of entertainment, be tempted to participate. Rather, I would say that this type of targeted break come the people who repeated portrait in Bulgaria. Here the question is whether it attracts them to come back at us, or have other reasons. Focused study of tourism income from alcohol is not done, but if we talk about the volume of these tourists are at most 10-15%. They are not the majority.
- We will develop a targeted gambling tourism among Israelis and Turks?
- Gambling tourism anywhere in the world is not advertised as such. Even Las Vegas does not do it openly. It just develops by itself, especially after the ban on gambling in Russia, Turkey, Israel. There’s a special tour for this tourism, but not the job of government to promote it. The benefits of this type of tourism is only for companies that develop it, but society is still a bad temptation.
- Why, after two years of tourism prayed Bulgarians now again our tourists are neglected by the industry?
- I would not say that Bulgarians are neglected. Simply maintaining the tradition of the past Bulgarians do not plan your vacation early, do not go through the tour and so it came to that, there is always places at the last minute and therefore prices are higher. But this goes to sea, inland unless there is a drop in prices for Bulgarians, at least keeping them from last year.
- Will become a national resort communities with their taxes?
- Yet to discuss with business and local variations, but I think it can not fulfill the criteria for individual municipalities. For us is important in all resorts have a national uniform rules for the management, financing, clear deadlines for the adoption of transport schemes and those of movable objects.
- When you start acting company “Bulgarian Tourism Organization?”
- When the law enters into force for tourism, hopefully by January 1.
- This state company will take over a part of the tourist tax to municipalities?
- No. We made a mutual compromise with the municipalities – we dropped the deductions, they will invest the revenue from this tax for tourism development.
- How did you finance the national tourist advertising, you need 10 million a year?
- This amount is proposed to our German consultants in order to increase the number of tourists to invest EUR 10 million per year. National organization will be entitled to economic activity and may participate in public-private partnerships. If the business provide funds for a campaign organization will give their money and work together.
-Does tourist business deserves as much public investment is not a branch below their own requirements to the state?
- In tourism there are many good owners and managers who work on a global level. But unfortunately there are random people to make a profit compromised the country’s image. They are small but enough for us to lay out. Here is a very important role of professional organizations, because they know who these people as part of society has time to report. Tourism Act should apply to all and for small and large.
