Bansko recognized as Balkans’ winter capital

published on 10/6/10 1:04 PM

Photo: Архив

The Bulgarian mountain town of Bansko was recognized as a winter capital of the Balkans a few days ago. The award was given by experts from the Balkan Alliance of Hotel Associations during the International Fair of Tourism, held in the Serbian town of Novi Sad.

Bansko was nominated yet in the beginning of the year and representatives of all Balkan states visited the resort in May to see what the place could suggest. “We took a tour around the whole place - the ski area that really impressed us, the beautiful big and small hotels, the taverns and the infrastructure. There isn’t anything like that on the Balkans” – Mr. Doncho Tanevski from Macedonia stated firmly. Mr. Tanevski is a member of the boards of both the European and the World Tourism organizations. So nobody wondered that the candidacy of the resort, situated in the Pirin Mountain for a winter capital of the Balkans was selected unanimously. Now Bansko’s citizens hope that the prestigious award will attract even more visitors to their small town. “This is a recognition not only to Bansko, but also to Bulgaria as an international destination for ski-tourism” – Deputy Mayor of the municipality Sashka Vachkova said for Radio Bulgaria. Hundreds of thousands of skiers from the Balkans, Western Europe, Russia and Israel do appraise the quality of winter sports in Bansko. For a long time now they have seen the picturesque resort as a synonym of dizzy slaloms, snowy landscapes and warm evenings in the local taverns. Traditionally the official start of the season is announced in the middle of December with glorious fest, sports events and performances of world-famous skiers.

“The conditions in the ski zone are excellent – Mrs. Vachkova says. We have 75 km of tracks that are covered with snow through the whole season. 181 cannons for artificial snow provide additional quantities, when necessary. Besides that there are 17 000 places here, where people can stay – and these are hotels with 5, 4, 3 and 2 stars. Tourists also visit guest houses that provide family comfort and authentic atmosphere.”

There has been a real tourist boom in Bansko through the past ten years or so. Hundreds of new hotels, guesthouses, sports facilities and taverns have created a magical transformation in the ancient town. Over EUR 4 bln. have been invested in the resort so far. However, the financial crisis put an end to the investment appetites and uncontrolled construction works. Right now Bansko is a very quiet place that expects its first guests for the winter season. Local hotel owners prepare to welcome over half a million of tourists through the forthcoming months.

“Experts say that Bansko’s development has been stormy – Mrs. Vachkova continues. – We had only a chairlift and two tracks a few years ago, while nowadays we have an elevated passenger ropeway with some 23 km of chairlifts, children’s facilities etc. The development of the ski zone doesn’t stop despite the crisis. A great number of the skiing facilities are being replaced, we also hope to start our second chairlift in 2011. Besides that Bansko is a regular host of world sports events. We expect with great hopes the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup for men in February 2011. 14 TV channels have declared their participation, Eurosport among them. Some of them will broadcast the event directly and this means that over 3 mln. spectators all over the world will have their attention focused on Bansko and Bulgaria.”

Besides skiing, the winter capital on the Balkans will offer its guests additional entertainment too. Folklore evenings, culinary fests, visits to ancient villages in the Pirin Mountain, embroidery classes, folk dances etc. – tourists will be able to diversify their holiday with these and other activities through the upcoming winter months.

English version: Zhivko Stanchev

По публикацията работи: Veneta Nikolova

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Bansko recognized as Balkans’ winter capital

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