site.btaWinter Tourist Season Officially Begins with Celebration in Bansko Centre

The winter tourist season was officially opened on Saturday evening in the central square in Bansko, Southwestern Bulgaria. Caretaker Tourism  Minister Evtim Miloshev described it as a special day, not only because of "the winter fairy tale in the mountains", but also because of the fact that this is a new page in Bulgarian tourism, due to Bulgaria's accession to the Schengen area by land.

During the official opening of the season on Saturday evening, the Deputy Minister of Sports Stoyan Andonov said that what Bansko is today would not be possible without winter sports. He expressed gratitude to everyone who contributes to Bansko being a benchmark in the organization and holding of European and World Cups in winter sports, as well as in summer mountain sports, which are becoming increasingly established.

Ski legends Michael Walchhofer and Marc Girardelli were also guests at the official opening. Walchhofer is in Bansko for the second time, the first being in 2011. In front of the gathered residents and guests of the city, he said that on Saturday the skiing conditions in the mountains were perfect and that he hopes to see everyone on the ski slopes. Bansko Mayor Stoycho Banenski presented Walchhofer with an honourary plaque for promoting Bansko as a world ski destination.
Among the official guests was football icon Hristo Stoichkov, who is an was the honourary citizen of Bansko. From the stage on the square, Stoichkov said that Bansko is the city of smiles, a resort with unique slopes, and pointed out that he was proud to be an honourary citizen of this city.

Mayor Banenski officially launched the season with the words that winter is not just a season for Bansko, but an adventure, but also a lot of work. He expressed gratitude to all employees of the municipal administration, community centers and cultural workers, to all institutions that make Bansko an attractive place. Banenski also thanked the concessionaire of the ski area YUlen AD and the entire team for what they are doing to make Bansko a world-class ski destination.

Yulen AD Executive Director Maya Hristoskova pointed out the recent award received by Bansko from the Lonely Planet, signifying it as as one of the best destinations in the world to visit in 2025. "This award is exceptional for us, it is a recognition of our work, but it also obliges us to work even harder, with more will and energy, in order to deserve other awards," said Hristoskova.

Vasil Levski National Sports Academy Assistant Rector Prof. Nikolay Izov was also in attendance.

A culinary celebration, titled "Unique Bansko", was also held as part of the official opening, as were performances by local folkore groups. The opening of the winter season on the square in Bansko was the culmination of the day-long events with which the winter resort kicked off the ski season.