02.02.2021
Guidelines for applying for grants to tour operators and travel agents have been published
The Ministry of Tourism (MT) has published "Guidelines for Applying for Grants to Tour Operators and Travel Agents to Compensate for Losses from the Covid-19 Outbreak".
The measure represents state aid in the form of direct grants, with a total estimated budget of BGN 51 million, which will be provided to persons performing tour operator and travel agency activities according to Art. 26a of the Law on Measures and Actions during the State of Emergency, declared by a decision of the National Assembly of March 13, 2020 and for overcoming the consequences.
The amount of one-time grants is 4% of their turnover excluding VAT in 2019, disclosed in the financial statements under the Accounting Act, and the assistance provided is to compensate for losses of tour operators and travel agents for the period from 01.03.2020 to 31.12.2020.
The aid must be used as a matter of priority to reimburse passengers whose packages have been canceled due to Covid-19 for the same period.
Eligible applicants are companies operating as tour operators or travel agents, registered in accordance with Section I, Chapter Seven of the Tourism Act and entered in the National Tourist Register, which at the time of submitting the application for assistance have a valid insurance "Liability of the tour operator" in accordance with Art. 97 of the Tourism Act.
This measure is part of a comprehensive package of measures and aims to counteract the liquidity shortages faced by businesses due to Covid-19. The administrator of the measure is the Ministry of Tourism.
The submission of applications for state aid is done electronically by filling in a web-based application form and accompanying documents through the National Investment Management System (NIMS), through the module "E-application", at the following Internet address: https://enims.egov.bg.
The manual for working with the NIMS system is available at the following address: https://enims.egov.bg/.
A scheme for providing financial assistance with one application deadline will be applied.
In order to pay the aid in a timely manner to reimburse priority costs incurred by customers who have refused vouchers, as well as to cover the costs incurred during the period for the main activity, it is recommended that applications be submitted within 14 days of the opening of the procedure.
Under this scheme, applicants may submit only one application for support. In case one applicant has submitted more than one application for support, only the first application received will be considered.
The full package of documents can be found at the following link.
MT also opens an information telephone line where tour operators and travel agents can ask their questions about the following funding schemes implemented by the agency:
On the telephone number +359 882 29 11 13, from Monday to Friday, within the working hours (from 9:00 to 17:30), information can be obtained from an expert from MT. He will register the call and provide assistance on a specific issue or problem related to the subject of the funding schemes mentioned above. If it is not possible to react at the moment, the expert will be committed to urgently forward the message to the relevant expert relevant to the topic.
The reason for opening the telephone line is the frequent inquiries about the indicated application schemes - documents, application and reporting procedures, financing, etc.
