Bulgaria's Consumer Protection Commission (KZP) has suspended the operations of a firm that sold bookings for seaside holidays on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast without being listed in the National Tourism Register. The commissioners reviewed the case at a meeting on Wednesday.

Nineteen consumers complained in July and August. They had paid a deposit for a seaside holiday, but their booking was cancelled and they did not get their money back. They believe they were cheated.

After the complaints, KZP asked the firm for documents and written explanations. Payment records and the firm's own statements show it took bookings and received payments for accommodation at tourist facilities.

The register shows the firm is listed neither as a tour operator nor as a travel agent. Its manager confirmed this in his explanations.

Without a registration certificate, the firm worked as a travel agent. Inspectors have drawn up 13 violation notices against it. Two of them have so far led to penalty orders, each with a fine of €5,000, or €10,000 in total.

The suspension is a separate step from the fines. It aims to stop the firm selling hotel bookings without registration under the Tourism Act, so there are no more victims. KZP looks into such complaints together with law enforcement and other relevant institutions, depending on the type of violation.

Before paying for a holiday, people should check in the National Tourism Register whether the middleman is listed, the commission advises. The booking should be confirmed in writing, and the terms for cancelling and getting money back should be clear. KZP also recommends keeping payment records, offers and correspondence with the seller, so the commission can help effectively if someone files a complaint.

Marking World Consumer Rights Day on 15 March, the acting chair of KZP said more and more consumers are seeking protection and reporting problems to the institutions.