The President of the Steering Board of the Association of Independent Tourist Agencies of Serbia (ANTAS), Gordana Protic, said today that the Minister of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications of Serbia, Tatjana Matic, announced that the state cannot approve sectoral assistance to travel agencies.
She stated that Matic said at yesterday’s meeting that the possibility of subsidizing the prices of travel insurance through insolvency policies is being considered.
“Matic did not announce the amount of the subsidy for insolvency insurance policies, and according to the latest offer of insurance companies, the policies cost up to 18,000 euros a year and are paid in advance, regardless of the amount of turnover,” said Protic.
She added that the minister said that seven agencies paid for the policies at the offered prices, and that the insurance companies made offers for another 17 agencies.
“As Matic suggested, travel agencies should pay for the policies, and then submit a request for a subsidy, and it is not yet known how much it will amount to,” said Protic.
Another problem, according to Protic, is the small number of agencies that would receive policies because there are 400 agencies and about 700 subagens in Serbia, ie intermediaries in the sale of tourist arrangements.
She also said that the agencies asked for a write-off of taxes and contributions, and that Matic promised to discuss that possibility with the Minister of Finance.
The president of the Association of Tourist Agencies of Serbia (UTAS), Marija Matijevic, said that the talks in the Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications would continue, which should be attended by representatives of insurance companies.
“Insurance companies have blackmailed us with the high prices of travel insurance policies and are asking us to pay a lump sum and in advance for a year,” said Matijevic, Danas reports.
