BBLF Presents New Head of State Tourism Authority

Successful promotion of Bulgaria as a tourist destination, decreasing the VAT stake for tourist services, establishing and development of opportunities for year-round tourism, and the application of Sofia to host the Winter Olympics in 2014 - these were the major priorities of the State Tourism Authority, said its Chairman Mario Al-Jebouri on the Business breakfast with 60 representatives of the Bulgarian business elite. 

The new State Authority's Chairman chose for his first public appearance a business breakfast of the Bulgarian Business Leaders Forum where he was formally introduced by the BLF Chairman Maxim Behar.

Mr. Al-Jebouri commented that this year budget of 6 million leva given to the agency is quite insufficient in comparison with last year's one, which was more than double - 13 million leva. According to him, this would definitely affect the successful promotion of the country as a tourist destination. This lack of funding should be also compensated by the public-private partnerships, expressed his vision the newly appointed Chairman.

"There should be one united concept of advertising that could lead to a higher quality of the advertising product", highlighted Al-Jebouri. "At this moment there is not even a regularly maintained by the state web site to present Bulgaria abroad.

 "The State Authority is a governmental institution but it should step by step adopt a corporate approach and way of thinking - so that it can adequately respond to the demands of business. I give a hand to the business for closer partnership and better cooperation", added Mario Al-Jebouri, who is a BBLF Managing Board member for two years now.