Minister Angelkova took part in a discussion themed Transparency and Efficiency of Concessions in Bulgaria

11 October 2016

During the past summer season we received some 400 signals about our sea beaches on our dedicated hotline and email we had set up, and we carried out over 200 on-the-spot inspections. This was announced by the Minister of Tourism, Nikolina Angelkova, during a discussion themed Transparency and Efficiency of Concessions in Bulgaria. According to her, oversight is an important factor in the tourism product meeting tourist expectations, with the oversight’s efficient exercise having been a key priority for the Ministry of Tourism. For that reason, a mobile control group located at the Black Seaside was active this last summer.

Nikolina Angelkova also informed that this year a module was developed on the Ministry of Tourism’s website enabling each tourist to check online the cost of umbrellas and deck chairs at Bulgarian sea beaches. In 2017 the module will be upgraded, with a mobile app due to be developed for Bulgarian and international tourists. „This will both increase tourist awareness and enhance competitiveness in the business ", the Minister emphasized.

Her statement also made it clear that in the Methodology for determining the minimum concession remuneration, as already adopted by the Council of Ministers, a weight of 40% is stipulated for the tendered cost of beach accessories when one tenders to lease a beach under concession. Minister Angelkova explained that in all formulas a base price for 1 umbrella and 1 deck-chair is determined, with the price to vary according to the beach specifics and proximity to the available accommodation in the settlement where they are located. For beaches located near settlements with less than 10 000 population, the cost will be up to BGN 2 , for those near settlements with over 10 000 population – BGN 3, and at national-scale resorts – BGN 4.

„Concessionaires of sea beaches must align to the stipulated base price of beach accessories as early as tendering stage“, Nikolina Angelkova explained. According to her, once the concessionaire has committed to the base price, it will be unable to change it unilaterally, with such offense meriting termination of the concession agreement.

"Within a few weeks the analyses will conclude and the number of sea beaches, for which concession procedures under the new rules will be open, is due to be determined. Priority will be given to beaches with expiring concessions," Minister Angelkova added. She also informed that the final discussion of amendments to the Black Sea Coast Spatial Planning Act is forthcoming, such amendments stipulating categorization of beaches according to their specifics. According to her, the purpose is to thus create the premises for letting the larger part of them under concession and improve the service for the tourists.

The event was attended by the Deputy Prime Minister for EU funds and economic policy, Tomislav Donchev, the Minister of Energy, Temenuzhka Petkova, the Minister of the Environment and Waters, Ivelina Vasileva, the chairs of the parliamentary committees for economic policy and tourism & energy, Petar Kanev and Delyan Dobrev, the Chair of CEIB, Kiril Domuschiev, representatives of local governments and businesses, etc.

The discussion themed Transparency and Efficiency of Concessions in Bulgaria is held within the framework of the Business in the Open and is organized by the Confederation of Employers and Industrialists in Bulgaria (CEIB) and the Economy magazine.

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