Minister Angelkova inspected the level of readiness for the new summer season

Bulgaria is in the top 5 most desired destinations by the Russian tourists, according to a survey among local tour operators. This was announced today in Burgas by the minister of tourism Nikolina Angelkova. She had a meeting with the regional governor of Burgas Valcho Cholakov, the representatives of supervision authorities, the local administration and the tourism industry on the measures taken for the new summer season.

"In the past several days I personally visited all Black Sea municipalities to inspect their readiness for the summer season. Everywhere there are optimistic expectations, and now it is important for the state and the industry to take the necessary measures to meet the expectations of tourists", Nikolina Angelkova stressed. She stated that it was agreed with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Interior to temporarily relocate their employees to take part in mixed inspection teams to exercise 24-hour control on noise. The initiative was launched in Golden Sands where the sector provided the necessary facilities. "I talked to the mayor of Obzor  Hristo Yanev  where  a similar team will be situated.  Given the importance of Sunny Beach and the great number of tourists in it, we will use best efforts to also have such on-the-spot supervision here", minister Angelkova said.  She emphasized that this could be done in other settlements as well, in cooperation with the industry and local authorities.

"15 procedures are already underway for renting out unguarded beaches and every week we announce new ones. We have talked to the regional governors and mayors so as to avoid having beaches without lifeguard, medical and cleaning services”, Nikolina Angelkova added. This year about 90 beaches are announced to be unguarded and the Ministry of Tourism plans to conduct a procedure for renting out 40 of them. Simultaneously, regional governors have already started actions to ensure lifeguards and prepare the necessary plans.

In the framework of the meeting, the representatives of supervisory authorities presented the measures taken. The Commission for Consumer Protection plans to open reception rooms on the spot in the resorts. The Ministry of Interior will provide 580 supervision employees in the region for the high summer season. This year the number of relocated policemen from inland will be increased by 180 and the bulk of police resources will be concentrated in Nessebar municipality.  Work is being done to set up mixed patrols along the South Black Sea coast with Romanian and Czech policemen. The Regional Health Inspectorate emphasized that hoteliers were required to place information boards to inform tourists where they can get nearest medical care. The Bulgarian Food Safety Agency reported that they had carried out 3730 inspections in the last summer season and had drawn up 69 penalty acts. Based on their information, the data reveals that violations have declined, which confirms the enhanced quality of the tourist product. In the upcoming season special attention is paid again to the all-inclusive service and the quality of food in it.  The National Revenue Agency, the Customs Agency and the Automobile Administration envisage tighter supervision measures. The Border Police and Maritime Administration are ready to handle the expected cruise ships, as it became clear during the meeting.

In the last two days minister Angelkova had meetings on the spot in Pomorie, Sozopol,  Primorsko,  Tsarevo,  Nessebar,  and Burgas to inspect the readiness for the new summer season on the South Black Sea coast. The previous week similar discussions were held in Golden Sands,  Albena, Kavarna,  Shabla and Varna.