VESSELIN DANEV: THERE ARE SERIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE WORKFORCE IN TOURISM

 “There is a serious problem with the workforce in tourism. The number of employed people has decreased by almost 20%, most noticeably among the youngest demographic (up to 34 years old) – over 30%,” said the chairman of the Bulgarian Hotel Association, Veselin Danev.

He said that taxes make Bulgarian tourism uncompetitive.

“This is seasonal work, large volumes are realized during the summer and winter seasons. There is no country in Europe that has such a high taxation of seasonal labor as Bulgaria. This makes the environment extremely uncompetitive,” he said.

Danev gave the example of Germany.

“When you go to Germany to work in a seasonal job, firstly you do not pay social security contributions, secondly you are below the non-taxable minimum, which is about 12,000 euros. Bulgarians go to Western Europe, and we bring workers from India and Egypt,” added Danev.

According to him, foreigners are satisfied with the services on the Black Sea coast.

"The Black Sea coast is the backbone of Bulgarian tourism. Over 70% of turnover is made on the Black Sea coast. Foreign hotel clients are satisfied and have been choosing us for years, we are making efforts to overcome distrust among Bulgarian tourists," he said.