In order for Bulgaria to be developed as a successful tourist destination, we need to create a unique and separate model for each and every resort or village. The separate waste collection and the application of the European criteria by hoteliers, restaurateurs and tenants will be strictly monitored by the ministry until it reaches the levels of the so called Circular economy. This was stated by the Minister of Tourism – Nikolina Angelkova, during the second national discussion "For Cleaner Sea Tourism". The forum is organized by KRIB and the Portal of the Bulgarian Municipalities – Kmeta.bg. Moderator of the debate was the CEO of Brand Media Bulgaria – Boyan Tomov and the participants in the debate were the Minister of Environment and Waters – Neno Dimov, the Mayor of Varna – Ivan Portnih, his colleagues from the Varna and Dobrich districts, the regional governors of Varna and Dobrich and representatives of the tourist sector from the northern Black Sea coast. All the representatives of the government, the local administration and the business have discussed in Varna the regulations for separate waste collection in our resorts during the high summer season as well as the changes related to biodegradable waste from hotels and restaurants.
"National resorts are the image of Bulgarian tourism and we have to be very careful about how we represent this image. At the end of last year, I have started a detailed discussion regarding the status of the national resorts. It is very important, first to approve an architectural vision for the resort, then to mark the various zones in order to know what kind of activities can be carried out in those zones", said Nikolina Angelkova. She emphasized that it is important for the activities carried out in the resorts to be regulated and to be under control so we can ensure the quality of the tourist product.
She reminded that last week the negotiations for 2018 have began with half of the board of TUI. "They have congratulated us for the fact that we want to regulate the national resorts. Our inspections are independent and they are related to the management of the beaches. They are in no relation with the inspections of the Deputy Prime Minister Simeonov," said the Minister, adding: "There are inspections everywhere, but their methods should not harm Bulgarian tourism. The inspections carried out by the Ministry of Tourism are only regarding the beaches, not concerning tourists and always during the day. When there are law violations, prescriptions are made and then another inspection will follow, if there are violations again then sanctions follow". Angelkova said that the creation of a special status of the national resorts should happen with the close cooperation of the industry because Bulgarian tourism depends on the cooperation between the local authorities and the tourist business. She said the most common violations of the regulations regarding the beaches are related to the lack of lifeguards. Angelkova also emphasized that there is an increase of 8% in the number of tourists in Bulgaria in June compared to the same period last year.
