EC approves BGN 51 million in state aid for Bulgarian tour operators

The European Commission has approved BGN 51 million (about EUR 26 million) in state aid intended for Bulgaria’s tour operators and travel agents, the European Commission announced on December 21.

The scheme is approved under the temporary state aid framework. The funding will be in the form of direct grants. It will be used by tour operators and travel agents to reimburse customers whose travel packages were cancelled between 1 March and 31 December 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic outbreak and to cover the costs incurred in carrying out their main activities during the same period.

The measure aims to address liquidity shortages caused by the coronavirus outbreak. The Commission said that the measure was in line with the conditions set out in its temporary framework on state aid.