BULGARIA’S BIG WINTER RESORTS OPEN THE SKI SEASON TODAY

Despite the unfavorable weather conditions, Bulgaria's winter resorts are ready for the start of the ski season. The tourist industry in the country expects an increased number of tourists in comparison to last year.

All ski facilities in Bulgaria’s biggest ski resort Bansko are operational. The snow-making cannons are ready for use. The resort will run 24-hour security service and a helicopter will be available for the whole season in Bansko for transportation of patients in cases of ski slopes accidents. The repair works on the streets of the resort, initiated in the summer to replace the water pipes have been finalised. Through an Order of the local Mayor, building and construction works have been stopped.

The winter resorts are expecting many tourists from Greece, Macedonia, Romania and Serbia. It is likely to have more tourists from Turkey as well because of the relived visa regime. Ski lift passes in the ski resort Pamporovo will be sold at the promotional price of 39 BGN until 19th of December. 25th of December will be a free of charge skiing day for children under the age of 12. Special facilities are prepared for people who prefer freestyle skiing and snowboarding.

Only in Borovets resort the ski facilities are not yet operational, because there isn’t enough snow.

The skiing legend Marc Girardelli will consult the Minister of Tourism, Nikolina Angelkova on how Bulgaria to gain recognition as a year-round tourist destination among the top 5 in Europe.

“Bulgaria has very beautiful mountain areas and that makes them totally suitable for all-year-round tourism as long as there is a well-developed infrastructure and good quality of services”, Girardelli said.

In his opinion, Bulgaria’s Ministry of Tourism needs to focus efforts to attract tourists mainly from the neighbouring countries.

Minister Angelkova is planning to open tourist representation offices in 8 countries. Currently, Bulgaria has such offices only in Frankfurt and Moscow. A National Fund for tourism infrastructure and tourists attraction is expected to start working at the beginning of 2016, with funds from the concessions. The objective is this fund to finance all transport and ecological sites related to safety of public order and security, which are not financed by other sources.

The ministry also works on a regulation on safety of the ski slopes.