site.btaMinister Miloshev at Working Meeting in Bansko: Big Conversation about Bulgarian Tourism Yet to Come

The big conversation about Bulgarian tourism has not been held, it is yet to come, said caretaker Tourism Minister Evtim Miloshev, who took part in a working meeting in Bansko on Friday evening. The meeting was organised on the eve of the official opening of the winter tourist season, December 14. Participating were representatives of various institutions, businesses and the concessionaire of the Bansko ski area. 

Minister Miloshev noted that many of the problems in tourism are chronic and do not apply only to this season. In his words, the problems in Bansko are not directly related to tourism and the development of the town as a resort, but are issues of national importance. The Minister of Tourism also commented that Bansko does not have the status of a national resort or a resort of national importance, which he described as a paradox, but added that this does not prevent it from being a leading resort that is recognizable in the world and lives its own life. 

The Minister added that Bulgaria has a huge resource of natural resources and cultural heritage, lifestyle, cuisine, wine, things that can be offered to the world all year round and sustainably. 

Miloshev also commented on Bulgaria's accession to Schengen by land, pointing out that according to preliminary data of the Institute for Research and Analysis in Tourism, an additional revenue of BGN 300 million is expected in the coming years. 

The meeting was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Tourism, Mayor of Bansko Stoycho Banenski, Blagoevgrad Governor Georgi Dinev, representatives of the National Revenue Agency, the Regional Directorate for Food Safety, the Directorate of Labour Inspection, the District Department - Bansko, the local fire service, and the Regional Health Inspectorate. The working meeting was attended by representatives of the concessionaire of the Bansko ski area, representatives of local hotel and restaurant businesses, and tour operators. 

In summary, the representatives of the institutions stated readiness for the winter season. Experts said that the inspections in the winter resort have already started and they are regular. The head of the local regional police department, Chief Inspector Kiril Stoyanov, said that during the winter season the management has created an organisation to ensure the safety of tourists, on the roads and others, with officers from the Blagoevgrad Regional Police Department, as well as police officers from Greece and Romania posted in the resort town. The foreign policemen will arrive in Bansko at the end of the month and will be present throughout the winter season. The fire service also reported on the checks carried out before the start of the winter season, and commented on the preparedness to respond in case of natural disasters during the winter season. The institutions, businesses and municipal leadership noted the good communication between them and the cooperation in working throughout the season.