Municipalities were responsible for many of the beach management problems in Bulgaria and concessionaires should retain ownership over Black Sea coast facilities, the association of beach concessionaires said in a letter to National Assembly.

During the coming week, the parliament would vote on the changes in Black Sea region regulations, which suggest increased municipal control over beach management, Dnevnik newspaper reported.

The association requested participation in the parliamentary discussions.

Recently National Movement Simeon II (NMSII), part of the ruling tripartite coalition, proposed 191 of the state beaches to become municipal property. Municipalities requested ownership over the beaches, saying that this would guarantee better control over construction works and improved conditions for tourists.

In the letter the concessionaires said that the changes should not be accepted as municipalities were responsible for the ‘controversial’ restitution of the beaches and the construction density in the coastal region.

Another problem listed in the letter was the complicated procedures for giving municipality property on concession. Dnevnik quoted the concessionaires as saying that municipalities tended to promote certain companies when choosing future concessionaires.

Concessionaires also objected to the ban on moveable stalls and restaurants on the beaches, as they were necessary for providing quality tourism services.