Huge queues appeared in front of the Bulgarian consulate in Moscow. The reason is that from 1 June the new agreements with the European union for eased visa regime entered into force.

At the same time the Consulate personnel was reduced with one forth. Changes occurred also in the Russian tourism law, announced Deutsche Welle.

The amendments in the Russian tourism law state that only companies, which have paid 150 thousand Euro guarantee, are inscribed in the Rostourism register. Of over 10 thousand tourist companies only 1200 have covered the criterion.

Those out of the list are declared illegal. Therefore, their Bulgarian partners should check them before signing a contract. The financial guarantee serves for costumer protection for bad quality of the provided tourist services.

The displeased clients, who last year had claims mainly against the service in the Bulgarian resorts and the ongoing construction works, now can file a claim for financial compensation from the sending company. This company will seek for the fines to be paid by the unscrupulous Bulgarian resorts and hotels.

According to the new agreement between the European Union and Russia a uniform visa price is introduced – 35 Euro for ordinary visa and 70 Euro for an express one. Under the pressure of the tourist industry Sofia announced that as an exception this season it will work with the old price – 20 Euro for the non-existing in the European Union category “organized tourists”.

Apparently the pressure will continue since tourist companies are discontented with the reducing of the free of charge visa for children – before it was up to 14 years, now it applies only for children up to 6 years. Obviously, the curtsy with the visa fee reduction aims at diverting any accusations for eventual rase in the number of Russian tourists in the fierce competition with the neighboring Balkan countries.

The increase of the number of Russian tourists in Bulgaria was forecasted far back last year. Thus, the reduction with one forth of the Bulgarian consulate personnel seems strange The measure is part of the general requirements for reducing the Bulgarian state administration, but in this case it seems illogical.

More documents have to be processed with less personnel. The data for April and May points increase of number of Russian tourists to Bulgaria with over a forth compared to last year. And this “consulate” problem exists not only in the Russian capital but also in Yekaterinburg, Novosibirsk, St. Petersburg, where an even double increase of the visa requests is expected.

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