Prime Minister Victor Ponta has removed Simona-Allice Man, president of the People’s Party-Dan Diaconescu, from the leadership of the National Authority for Tourism.
On April 29, the Prime Minister signed the decision to release Simona Man from office, her dismissal having been previously requested by employers’ associations.
Also on April 29, the ANT president was in the Mamaia resort, where she indicated that the Romanian seaside is ready for the opening of the summer season, while hoteliers were requesting control bodies not to conduct inspections during the May 1st mini-holiday.
Virgil Stancu, representative of the Federation of Romanian Tourism Employers (FPTR) and an investor on the coast, stated during a press conference that in the southern part of the coast, not even 10% of the units are ready to open by May 1st and requested that hoteliers no longer be legally obliged to open their units by this date. He specified that accommodation units that did not open on May 1st risk being fined by the National Authority for Tourism.
In March, representatives of travel agencies and coastal hoteliers demanded Simona Man’s resignation from the leadership of the National Authority for Tourism, accusing her of blocking projects such as the issuance of holiday vouchers and the application of the lump-sum tax, to which she responded at the time that bureaucracy was to blame.
Simona Man had been leading the Tourism Authority since November of last year.
Source: Daily Business
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Simona Man dismissed from the National Authority for Tourism?
Simona Man was dismissed by Prime Minister Victor Ponta following repeated requests from tourism employers’ associations, who were dissatisfied with her leadership.
What were the main accusations against Simona Man?
Industry representatives accused her of blocking essential projects, including the issuance of holiday vouchers and the implementation of the lump-sum tax for the tourism sector.
What was the controversy regarding the May 1st season opening?
While Man claimed the seaside was ready, hoteliers argued that many units were unprepared and faced unfair fines for not opening, requesting a moratorium on inspections.