site.btaKrushuna Falls Visited by 80,000 Tourists in 2024

In 2024, the Krushuna Waterfalls were visited by 80,000 tourists, most of them Romanians, the mayor of Letnitsa Municipality, Dr. Krasimir Dzhonev, told BTA and added that tourism is one of the most priority sectors of the economy in the municipality.

Revenues from parking and entrance fees at the Krushuna Falls in 2024 were BGN 417,000, marking an increase compared to the previous year, when they were nearly BGN 404,000.

"This fee is not pure income. These are funds that are collected and spent on salaries of the people involved in daily cleaning and maintenance of the forest park. Part of the funds are also used to purchase equipment. We have provided a sweeper, lawnmowers, brushcutters. They are spent on treating the areas against parasites, for demolishing dangerous areas," Dzhonev also explained, adding that two dangerous areas have been marked and a contract with a company for ongoing demolition is pending in order to prevent accidents.

A new trail, 400 metres long, will also be made. "It will lead to a bird watching spot on the Danubian Plain, and in clear weather the view can reach all the way to the Danube." the Mayor added.

He also said that parking and entrance fees will be paid via machine and that there will be no employees involved in this activity.

Dzhonev pointed out that over the past two years, the main tourists at the Krushuna Waterfalls have been Romanians. "The same is true of guest houses - if it weren't for Romanian tourists, this activity would be declining on the territory of the municipality," said Dzhonev.

There are about 20 guest houses in the municipality, two hotels and  15 guest house-type facilities,  with a total of about 400 beds. Most of them are in the village of Krushuna.

The overnight stays in 2024 were 4,850, with revenues from tourist tax of nearly BGN 3,500.

The total number of catering and entertainment establishments in the Letnitsa Municipality is 17 with a capacity of 970 seats.

The Mayor also spoke of expanding the seasonal reach of tourism in the area. "We were counting on year-round tourism. Our only chance was the mineral water in Krushuna. Unfortunately, the investment interest is zero, since the pumping depth is 200 meters, a pump with high power and significant electricity costs are required. However, this is a great opportunity, since we are talking about water at 60C, 15 liters per second flow rate, with 11 per mille mineralization," he commented.

Dzhonev said that in recent years the village of Karpachevo has been developing as a tourist destination, where tourists find peace, a characteristic Bulgarian style, typical of the Bulgarian Revival period. There are also several horse-riding tourist routes there. The events, trainings and seminars that are organized in the old mill, converted into a Cultural and Information Centre, are also of note, added Mayor Dzhonev.