Bulgaria to revoke licence of tour operator that left holidaymakers stranded
Bulgaria’s Economy, Energy and Tourism Ministry has said that it will revoke the licence of On Travel, the tour operator that left customers stranded abroad in Turkey.
The company could also face a fine of 10 000 leva (about 5000 euro) for unfair trade practices, the ministry said.
After state intervention, the tourists are set to return to Bulgaria on October 13. Pending their return, accommodation was being paid for by the Turkish partner of On Travel, which also is paying for bus tickets.
Bulgaria’s Consumer Protection Commission advised clients to seek compensation from On Travel’s insurers.
The latest collapse of a tour operator, leaving tourists stranded, has prompted the ministry to look at a review and tightening of the rules on tour operators, public broadcaster Bulgarian National Television said.
A message on the company’s website referred to “temporary difficulties” in the past week and what is called a targeted media attack by its competitors.
The stranding of On Travel clients in Turkey was the second such incident in recent days, after a group was stranded in Spain.
(Photo of Economy, Energy and Tourism Minister Delyan Dobrev: miet.bg)
