Vision, priorities
The Bulgarian Association of Travel Agencies (BATA) is a non-governmental, non-profit organization, established in 1992 with the aim of representing and protecting the economic rights and interests of tour operators and travel agencies, and supporting and promoting their economic activity.
Over 100 companies (tour operators and travel agents) from all over the country are members of our association. 50 other organizations and individuals whose activities and interests are related to tourism are our associated members.
Our vision:
Bulgaria is a competitive and attractive tourist destination, and our members are a guarantee of the quality of the tourist product.
Our mission:
To unite and encourage the professionalism of companies, to form and promote the tourist products of Bulgaria;
To provide favorable conditions for cooperation between tourist companies in order to achieve sustainable development of Bulgarian tourism.
Our priorities:
To promote the creation of a favorable regulatory and business environment;
to enforce rules of professional ethics and fair competition;
to assist in attracting investments in the tourism industry;
to assist our members in establishing business contacts with Bulgarian and foreign partners;
to assist in protecting consumer rights.
Activity
To achieve its goals, BATA:
Prepares and defends opinions on the regulatory framework in tourism and related areas;
Interacts with central and local government structures on tourism issues;
Participates in the development of strategies and programs related to the development of tourism;
Provides up-to-date information for members;
Assists in the participation of its members in international tourism exhibitions;
Advises on the preparation of professional requirements for tour operators, travel agents, hoteliers and restaurateurs and the tests for them, to meet the criteria for obtaining the relevant certificates;
Participates in the implementation of national programs and international projects;
Assists in the conclusion of insurance "Liability of agencies engaged in the sale of airline tickets" by our members.
BATA has won several international projects under the PHARE and Leonardo da Vinci programs, related to foreign language training of personnel in tourism, the imposition of European standards in tourism, consumer information and prevention, etc.
Partners
Partners in Bulgaria:
The main partner in our activities is the Ministry of Economy, Energy and Tourism.
BATA is a member of the National Tourism Council; Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Council of Presidents of Industry Associations; Bulgarian Industrial Chamber; Bulgarian Economic Forum; Tourism Council—Sofia.
We actively work on the basis of a signed agreement with the Consumer Protection Commission.
Our partners are the Bulgarian Tourist Chamber (BTC) and the Bulgarian Hotel and Restaurant Association (BHRA), with whom we have signed a trilateral Cooperation Agreement; the Association of Tour Guides in Bulgaria; the National Tourism Board;
International partners:
BATA is a member of UFTAA (World Federation of Travel Agency Associations) and co-founder of BAFTAA (Balkan Federation of Travel Agency Associations).
We maintain regular contacts with our related associations from the region: the Greek Tourism and Travel Association (HATTA), the Turkish Travel Agency Association (TURSAB), the Association of Travel Agencies in Macedonia (ATAM), as well as the Russian Union of the Tourism Industry (formerly RATA), the American (ASTA), the Portuguese (APAVT) and the Japanese (JATA) travel agency associations, etc.
Membership in BATA is a guarantee of quality!
BATA members are the most active and reliable tourism companies in Bulgaria. They generate 85% of inbound tourism and 80% of outbound tourism.
Governing Bodies
MANAGING BOARD
Odisei Spasov — Chairman
Feeds recusal — Vice-Chairman
Members (in alphabetical order):
Vasil Antonov
Galin Georgiev
Svetla Atanasova
CONTROL BOARD
—Chairman
Members (in alphabetical order):
STANDING WORKING COMMITTEES
1.
Committee on Regulatory Framework, Relations with Ministries, Municipalities and NGOs:
· Chairman: Odisei Spasov
· Members: Vasil Antonov
2.
Committee on Membership, Professional Ethics and Protection of Members:
· Chairman: Feeds recusal
· Members: Galin Georgiev
3.
Committee on International Cooperation, Transport and Ticketing:
· Chairman: Galin Georgiev
· Members: Filed a recusal
