„I will create an interdepartmental working commission at the ministerial level. I have already spoken with Minister Koritarova from the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works and with Minister Dimitrov from the Ministry of Environment and Water. I will also invite Minister Malinov to sort out the problems. Here is the power supply, in Pamporovo it is the general development plan, in Bansko it is another problem. In Malyovitsa and Semkovo the problems are clear. There must be a state policy for this“
This was announced on the program “This Saturday“ by the acting Minister of Tourism Evtim Miloshev.
According to him, our oldest resort “Borovets“ suffers from the lack of sufficient energy supply.
„There cannot be sustainable development of tourism if there is not enough electricity supply. The entire energy system was built during the socialist era, since then the resort has grown several times and no longer has the necessary capacity. “Borovets“ needs a 110 kilovolt substation to power the facilities. Only the state can build such a substation“, Miloshev pointed out.
The acting Minister of Tourism also outlined the biggest problems facing winter tourism in our country - the increase in VAT for restaurateurs and hoteliers from 9 to 20% and the impossibility of increasing ski areas and facilities due to legislation.
“We should not be afraid of opening the mountains to people. What can we say about Vitosha, because it is cut off from Sofia. Last week 130 cm of snow fell and there is no way to get there, the facilities are extremely old, it is a sin to drive there. The mountain must be opened to the capital. I deeply believe that environmental standards and the protection of the natural environment and tourism go hand in hand. Tourism protects natural resources and they are the basis of its development“, commented Evtim Miloshev.
“For sports facilities, the preference was dropped on July 1, which is directly reflected in the price of the ski pass. This is undoubtedly a burden for tourism, but the price-quality ratio makes us a regional leader despite the price increase. Compared to the alternatives, Bulgaria is a very good place where we can get high-quality service at a good price“, added Miloshev.
According to him, the country lacks a big conversation about Bulgarian tourism and state policy that would determine priorities.
Despite everything, the Ministry of Tourism expects a 5 percent growth this winter season compared to 2024.