Bulgaria Expelled From Danube Tourist Commission
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At an extraordinary General Meeting the Danube Tourist Commission voted unanimously to expel Bulgaria from the organisation. Grounds for the expulsion was Bulgaria’s persistent delinquency on payment of its membership contribution over several years, despite great forbearance displayed by other members. Bulgaria, a founding member of the Danube Tourist Commission in 1970, participated actively in its work and fulfilled its obligations until 1999. Thereafter, the country failed to remit annual membership contribution with the exception of that for 2003. The reason cited for the default was the closure of the Danube at Novi Sad. Both of the two Bulgarian cruise liners, however, continued to operate on the upper and middle portions of the Danube between Passau and Budapest, and a third vessel was added to the fleet in 2004. The removal of hindrances to navigation at Novi Sad and abolition of fees previously levied on passenger ships passing through the thrice-weekly opened pontoon bridges were due in no small measure to the initiatives of the Danube Tourist Commission. With the opening of a new fixed bridge and demolition of the pontoon bridge at Novi Sad, the Danube became freely navigable again along its entire length in the autumn of 2005. Cruise traffic to the delta grew markedly, as did the number of ships docking in harbours along the lower course of the river. Bulgarian tourism firms—shipping companies and tour operators—offering Danube-related products took advantage of the Danube Tourist Commission’s Shipping Conferences to establish contacts and conduct business at the expense of all other members of the organization. Despite repeated attempts by the Danube Tourist Commission—in discussions, correspondence with the responsible authorities and persons, appeals made to the Bulgarian president, at bilateral meetings with the governor of the Ruse region and the ambassador of Bulgaria in Vienna, as well as with Bulgarian tourism firms, some of which endeavoured to help resolve the problem—no progress was made on payment of the country’s debt. The impatience of other members—Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, and Romania—some of which faced the same difficulties as Bulgaria but met their obligations, became ever more acute. In February 2007, the newly appointed chairman of the Bulgarian State Agency for Tourism, Mrs. Anelia Krushkova, reacted positively to information which the Danube Tourist Commission laid before her. Despite the organisation’s tight budgetary situation, a reduction of the arrears was accorded as a sign of good will. At the end of March, Mrs. Krushkova informed the Danube Tourist Commission in writing that the outstanding debt would be paid. As despite repeated attempts it was not possible to establish contact with the responsible authorities, and as no funds had been transferred by 19 June 2007, the members of the Danube Tourist Commission voted unanimously to expel Bulgaria. With immediate effect, no representatives of Bulgaria or firms offering Bulgarian Danube programmes shall be admitted to Danube Tourist Commission events, such as the Shipping Conference, Cycling Conference and Danube Salon. The Bulgarian authorities however, by appropriate application and by complying with a redemption schedule, may resume membership of the Danube Tourist Commission.
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