Bulgaria’s government is discussing measures for a rapid recovery of tourism in the coming months after the three-year pandemic and in the context of the war in Ukraine and the current refugee wave.

Data quoted by Bulgarian Tourism Minister Hristo Prodanov show that 350-400 thousand Russian tourists have cancelled their organized trips to Bulgaria this summer. In this regard, the Tourism Ministry intends to redirect the funds earmarked for advertising on the markets of Ukraine and Russia to Bulgaria's neighboring countries North Macedonia, Romania and Serbia. Ways to attract tourists from Germany and other countries are also currently being discussed.

In connection with the unprecedented refugee wave that flooded Bulgaria, the Chairman of the National Assembly's Tourism Committee, Dr. Ilin Dimitrov said that Ukrainian nationals in Bulgaria will receive a fast-track status within a month so that they can stay and work in this country.

Hotel owners sheltering Ukrainian refugees will receive state aid of 40 leva (20 euro) daily per refugee. Bulgaria is trying to help the most defenseless people who are fleeing the war, by covering their food and accommodation, not to give opportunity for some to make a profit out of this situation, participants in yesterday's regular meeting of the National Assembly's Tourism Committee said, adding that this was a moral issue. In order to prevent possible abuse of the benefits, refugees need to be registered in Bulgaria. For its part, the state will strictly monitor the cost-efficient and transparent spending of Bulgarian and European taxpayers' money.

• Economist Latchezar Bogdanov: The Bulgarian institutions are not ready to cope with a large stream of refugees

Compiled by: Veneta Nikolova

English version: Elizabeth Radkova