In the world of tourism, the management of travel agencies in Bulgaria is extremely profitable business , providing opportunities for development and entrepreneurship. Our mission in Elan Consulting, as one of the leadingaccounting houses in Burgas, is to support and advise novice and established tour operators and travel agencies in every step of their path to success.
The process of opening a travel agencyand the acquisition of tour operator licenseare key elements for any venture in tourism. Inclusion in register of tour operators or travel agentsis a mandatory step that guarantees the legitimacy and reliability of your activity. The specific requirements for a manager of a travel agencyand the understanding of the difference between a tour operator and a travel agentare also fundamental aspects that need to be clarified at the beginning. For already established travel companies, our accounting house offers a complete accounting service!
In this article, we will look at the basic steps for purchase and sale of a tour operator license, verification of a tour operator license, as well as ways to determine price for tour operator license. We will pay special attention to the practical aspects of work in a travel agency, the opinions and recommendations of internship in a travel agency, and most importantly, how to transform the idea how to become a travel agentin reality.
It is important to know that according to Art. 6 of the Tourism Act, the Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Bulgaria has the obligation to carry out the state policy in the field of tourism, which includes the development and control of the National Strategy for Sustainable Tourism Development, the approval of the annual program for national tourist advertising, the maintenance and updating of the National Tourism Internet Portal, as well as registration of tour operators and travel agents, among many other important activities.
Opening a travel agency in Bulgaria offers exceptional opportunities for business development. Elan Consultingis here to support you with professional advice and expert knowledge to successfully start and manage your entrepreneurship in tourism. Let us together build the foundations of a successful and prosperous future in the tourism sector of Bulgaria.
The procedure for registration of a travel company and the issuance of a license for a tour operator and travel agent in Bulgaria is strictly regulated, in order to protect and guarantee the security and rights of consumers, as stated in Art. 61 of the Tourism Act. IN Elan Consulting, we understand the importance of these regulations and are focused on providing comprehensive support to our customers through this process.
According to the legislation, in order to carry out travel agency or tour operatoron the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria, it is necessary for the person to be registered under the law. The main requirements are:
These requirements underline the state's commitment to maintaining high standards in the tourism sector and protecting the interests of both consumers and tour operators and travel agents.
Governors and Control BodiesThe tour operators and travel agents must also meet strict criteria, including a lack of criminal record and convictions for intentional crimes of a general nature, as well as experience in managing companies.
After the successful fulfillment of these conditions, Ministry of Tourismproduces the registration by entering in the Register of Tour Operators and Travel Agents. This register is publicly accessible, which ensures transparency and trust between users and tour operators.
IN Elan ConsultingWe are focused on providing expert support to businesses that want to take advantage of opportunities in the tourism sector. We provide our services in order to facilitate the registration and licensing process so that you can quickly and efficiently start and develop your activity in this area.
For the successful launch and management of a tour operator or travel agency activity in Bulgaria, it is essential to comply with the regulations set forth in the Ordinance No. 16-1399 of October 11, 2013. These regulations set clear standards for the location, suitability and equipment of the premises, as well as the education, language qualifications and seniority of staff. IN Elan Consulting, we understand these requirements and offer guidance and support to our clients to comply with them.
The premises in which the tour operator and/or travel agency activity is carried out must be owned by the tour operator or the travel agent, or have an established right of use. These premises may be rented or used on another legal basis. It is important that they are located on the ground or first floor of a residential building or in an office building, and are easily accessible to customers. The premises must be marked with the appropriate indication and information signs, and be equipped with the necessary office equipment and supplies.
Important! In the room for carrying out the tourist activity, the registration certificate of the tour operator and/or the travel agent, according to the Tourism Act, is placed in a prominent place! In addition, the tour operator is obliged to place in a prominent place in the room and the certificate issued by the insurer, certifying the existence of a compulsory insurance contract under Art. 97 of the Tourism Act. When the tourist activity is carried out in several offices, a copy of the certificate of the presence of a license for tour operator activity and a certificate of insurance concluded are placed in a prominent place in each! In the premises for carrying out tour operator and/or travel agency activities are carried outonly activities directly or indirectly related to the provision of basic and additional tourist services within the meaning of the Tourism Act! Joint use of the room for the performance of tour operator and/or travel agency activity by two or more persons is not allowed.
The personnel employed in the implementation of the tourist activity must meet the following criteria:
IN Elan ConsultingWe are dedicated to providing up-to-date information and professional support to our clients to ensure that their tour operator and travel agency activities meet all legal requirements and standards.
The process of registration and obtaining a license for a tour operator or travel agent in Bulgaria is regulated in detail, in order to ensure high quality of services and protect the interests of consumers. IN Elan Consulting, we are dedicated to providing the necessary support and guidance for our clients to successfully go through this process.
According to Art. 63 of the Tourism Act, applicants for tour operators and travel agents must provide the following documents to the Ministry of Tourism:
The application and accompanying documents must be submitted in Bulgarian, and the documents in other languages must be accompanied by an official translation into Bulgarian. In case of discrepancies between the original text and the translation, the Bulgarian translation takes precedence.
Once the documents are submitted, EKRTTA (Expert Commission on Registration of Tour Operators and Travel Agents)examines the submitted documentation and issues a reasoned proposal to the Minister of Tourism for registration.
IN Elan Consulting, we understand the complexities of this process and are here to provide you with expert help and guidance for its successful passage. Our goal is to facilitate our clients and ensure that their path to starting a tour operator or travel agency in Bulgaria is smooth and smooth.
The additional conditions and requirements for tour operators and travel agents in Bulgaria, as set out in Art. 71of the Tourism Act, provide the framework for the quality and responsible provision of tourism services. IN Elan Consultingwe understand these requirements and provide our customers with the necessary information and support to fulfill them.
Important! According to Art. 78 of the Tourism Act, when a tour operator and/or travel agency activity is carried out electronically, the website must contain the information referred to in Article 4 of the Electronic Commerce Act.
Tour operators and travel agents are obliged to conclude contracts with the following persons:
Important! The tour operator, directly or through the travel agent, concludes a package contract before the start of the implementation of the package. The tour operator is obliged to store on a durable medium the contracts concluded by him or through a travel agentcontracts for tourist packages for a period of two years from the completion of their execution.
According to Art. 72 of the Tourism Act, tour operators are obliged to offer tourists the conclusion of voluntary or compulsory insurance “medical expenses in case of illness and accident” for trips outside the country, unless the tourist provides valid long-term insurance.
In Art. 73The Tourism Act stipulates that a tourist voucher is issued only by a registered tour operator and includes important information about the tourist services provided to tourists. The voucher must contain mandatory requisites, such as number and date of issue, information about the tour operator, registration number, services included in the package, performance dates, as well as contractors for the performance of the service.
According to Art. 75and Art. 76 of the Tourism Act, tourist vouchers and booking forms may also be issued in electronic form and must comply with the same information requirements and provide adequate protection against changes.
IN Elan Consulting, we emphasize the importance of compliance with these additional conditions and requirements, since they are created to protect the rights and interests of tourists, as well as to ensure the high quality of tourist services. Our goal is to help tour operators and travel agents successfully navigate these regulations and develop their business to the highest industry standards.
According to The tariff for the fees that are collected under the Tourism Act, effective as of 06.04.2021, the fixed prices for obtaining a license for a tour operator or travel agent in Bulgaria vary depending on the type of activity. To examine the documentsto carry out tour operator activity is charged a fee of BGN 500.; the same fee is set for travel agency. If the activity covers both, the fee is 1000 BGNWith regard to entry in the Register of Tour Operators and Travel Agents and issuance of registration certificate, the fees are as follows: 3000 BGN for tour operator activity, 1500 BGN for travel agency activity and 4500 BGN for the combined activity of tour operator and travel agent.Additionally, for recording changes in circumstances concerning registered persons, the fee is BGN 50 when the change leads to the issuance of a new document, and BGN 30 when the change does not lead to the issuance of a new document.The fees for examination of the documents are paid at the time of submission of the application for registration, while the fees for registration and issuance of the registration certificate are paid upon receipt of the certificate.
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For the registration of a travel agency in Bulgaria it is necessary to submit an application-declaration to the Ministry of Tourism, including information about your company, the premises for carrying out the activity, education, language qualifications and staff experience. Also, you must provide a document certifying the applicant's right to engage in tourist activities, as well as a copy of a preliminary insurance contract. The fees for examining the documents and for issuing the registration certificate shall be paid respectively upon submission of the application and upon receipt of the certificate.
The room for carrying out tour operator and/or travel agency activities must be located on the ground or first floor and be marked with the appropriate signs. In addition, it must have the necessary office equipment and supplies, as well as a place to receive customers. It is important that the room meets all the requirements for suitability and equipment established by legislation.
Every tour operator is obliged to have insurance “Professional Liability of the Tour Operator”. In addition, as a tour operator, you are obliged to offer tourists the conclusion of insurance “medical expenses in case of illness and accident” for trips outside the country. This insurance can be voluntary or compulsory and must be taken out in the name and at the expense of a licensed insurer. Tourists can provide evidence of their own insurance covering the same risks to avoid duplication of insurance protection.
