site.btaBulgaria Will Now Have Clear Rules and Oversight for All Recreation Attractions, Transport Minister Says

Bulgaria will now have clear rules and oversight for every type of recreation attraction - on land, in the air, and on water, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Communications Grozdan Karadjov said during a briefing at the Council of Ministers on Wednesday.

The Deputy Prime Minister confirmed that earlier on Wednesday, the government approved a bill on general safety requirements for recreation services, which was included on the meeting’s agenda.

“The lives and health of Bulgarian citizens cannot depend on chance,” said Minister Karadjov.

He recalled that the bill was drafted following a series of incidents and cases which, according to him, revealed the lack of unified regulation and effective control over activities related to recreation facilities.

“With the new law, the state establishes a clear safety framework, mandatory insurance, and oversight for all amusement activities - from water recreation along the Black Sea coast, through rope parks and trampolines, to air flights and car tours. The goal is to ensure the safety and health of citizens while also creating predictable conditions for businesses,” assured Deputy Prime Minister Grozdan Karadjov.

Karadjov also outlined the main elements of the draft law.

“First, all providers of such services will be required to register in a public register maintained by the Ministry of Tourism. Without registration, they will not be allowed to operate. There will also be mandatory accident insurance for every user, ensuring guaranteed compensation in the event of an incident. Daily inspections of the facilities will be required, along with mandatory safety rules displayed in a visible location for visitors. Each site must have a safety plan and a designated safety officer responsible for every attraction. Additionally, there will be an obligation for adult supervision when services are used by children under 14 years of age, as well as oversight by accredited bodies and state institutions,” he said.