Study Looks at Attitudes and Practices in Accommodation, Food Establishments amid COVID-19
NW 16:37:31 03-11-2020
DD1635NW.114
114 ECONOMY - STUDY - TOURISM
Study Looks at Attitudes and Practices in Accommodation,
Food Establishments
amid COVID-19
Sofia, November 3 (BTA) - A study of attitudes and practices in hospitality and entertainment outlets aimed to cope with the impact of COVID-19 and of the public's opinion was presented at Tuesday's online meeting of the Tourism Advisory Board. It was chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Tourism Minister Mariyana Nikolova, her Ministry said.
The analysis made by the Institute of Philosophy and Sociology with the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences was presented by the Institute's Director Prof. Veselin Petrov and Assoc. Prof. Alexey Pamporov. The poll was taken between September 25 and October 5 among 180 accommodation places with 10 or more beds and 180 food and entertainment outlets.
The public and businesses talked about weekend tourism alternating with short-term breaks in nearby destinations (including trips abroad). Approval was lowest for the measures taken for large groups of foreigners on package tours to Bulgaria.
The study found that businesses rate the introduction of holiday vouchers and the need of tourism staff training as the most effective measures.
The poll presented by Assoc. Prof. Pamporov found that 55 per cent of households did not go on holiday in the summer of 2020, 37 per cent were on holiday in Bulgaria (compared to 44 per cent in 2019) and 4 per cent went abroad (compared to 10 per cent in 2019). Also, 5.7 per cent of respondents gave up a holiday abroad in favour of a domestic holiday.
The study found that businesses froze their activity due to the pandemic as follows: 69 per cent of cafes, 62 per cent of pubs and bars, 46 per cent of one-star food and drink outlets, 40 per cent of two-star food and drink outlets in Sofia and 44 per cent in the regional capitals. Partial layoffs were reported by 48 per cent of 4- and 5-star hotels with an annual turnover of 500,000-plus leva; 45 per cent of hotels with 101 or more beds and more than 21 employees; 54 per cent of food and drink outlets with 3 or more stars; and 31 per cent of outlets with more than 71 places. In the smaller towns and villages, 31 per cent of outlets retained their staff.
The good thing is that Bulgarians spent more on their domestic holidays. One in three companies said the cut in the VAT rate for food and drink outlets to 9 per cent from 20 per cent helped them avert bankruptcy. The government's measures boosted business in one in four accommodation establishments.
Businesses and the public are in favour of two types of measures: vouchers for families and elderly consumers and training of tourism staff.
Nikolova again asked the tourism industry organizations to make available vacant hotels for people in quarantine or self-isolation or for hospital treatment, with all costs covered by the government.
Regarding the winter tourist season, Nikolova said losses are projected at around 250 million leva. Foreigners are more than half of the winter holidaymakers in Bulgaria and revenues are expected to dwindle by half from 2019.
The Tourism Minister also presented guidelines on health and epidemic control measures for the coming winter season approved jointly with the regional governors and representatives of the resorts and municipalities. RY/DD
//
DD1635NW.114
114 ECONOMY - STUDY - TOURISM
Study Looks at Attitudes and Practices in Accommodation,
Food Establishments
amid COVID-19
Sofia, November 3 (BTA) - A study of attitudes and practices in hospitality and entertainment outlets aimed to cope with the impact of COVID-19 and of the public's opinion was presented at Tuesday's online meeting of the Tourism Advisory Board. It was chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Tourism Minister Mariyana Nikolova, her Ministry said.
The analysis made by the Institute of Philosophy and Sociology with the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences was presented by the Institute's Director Prof. Veselin Petrov and Assoc. Prof. Alexey Pamporov. The poll was taken between September 25 and October 5 among 180 accommodation places with 10 or more beds and 180 food and entertainment outlets.
The public and businesses talked about weekend tourism alternating with short-term breaks in nearby destinations (including trips abroad). Approval was lowest for the measures taken for large groups of foreigners on package tours to Bulgaria.
The study found that businesses rate the introduction of holiday vouchers and the need of tourism staff training as the most effective measures.
The poll presented by Assoc. Prof. Pamporov found that 55 per cent of households did not go on holiday in the summer of 2020, 37 per cent were on holiday in Bulgaria (compared to 44 per cent in 2019) and 4 per cent went abroad (compared to 10 per cent in 2019). Also, 5.7 per cent of respondents gave up a holiday abroad in favour of a domestic holiday.
The study found that businesses froze their activity due to the pandemic as follows: 69 per cent of cafes, 62 per cent of pubs and bars, 46 per cent of one-star food and drink outlets, 40 per cent of two-star food and drink outlets in Sofia and 44 per cent in the regional capitals. Partial layoffs were reported by 48 per cent of 4- and 5-star hotels with an annual turnover of 500,000-plus leva; 45 per cent of hotels with 101 or more beds and more than 21 employees; 54 per cent of food and drink outlets with 3 or more stars; and 31 per cent of outlets with more than 71 places. In the smaller towns and villages, 31 per cent of outlets retained their staff.
The good thing is that Bulgarians spent more on their domestic holidays. One in three companies said the cut in the VAT rate for food and drink outlets to 9 per cent from 20 per cent helped them avert bankruptcy. The government's measures boosted business in one in four accommodation establishments.
Businesses and the public are in favour of two types of measures: vouchers for families and elderly consumers and training of tourism staff.
Nikolova again asked the tourism industry organizations to make available vacant hotels for people in quarantine or self-isolation or for hospital treatment, with all costs covered by the government.
Regarding the winter tourist season, Nikolova said losses are projected at around 250 million leva. Foreigners are more than half of the winter holidaymakers in Bulgaria and revenues are expected to dwindle by half from 2019.
The Tourism Minister also presented guidelines on health and epidemic control measures for the coming winter season approved jointly with the regional governors and representatives of the resorts and municipalities. RY/DD
//
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