Bulgarian Ski Resorts Anticipate 4-5% Growth in Tourist Numbers

Bulgaria's Tourism Minister Nikolina Angelkova has predicted a 4-5% growth in tourist numbers on the basis of the good start of the winter season.

Speaking after a Thursday meeting in Pamporovo with local industry representatives, she made clear that the condition of the infrastructure in the Smolyan district and the provision of easy access to the mountain resort were key issues on the agenda of the authorities.

Angelkova, as cited by the Bulgarian National Radio, suggested that Thursday's meeting had revolved around topics such as the condition of road infrastructure, the need for new border crossing points on the Bulgarian-Greek border, and the simplification of the visa requirements for tourists from Turkey, Russia, Ukraine, and China.

Angelkova said a special tourism infrastructure fund was to be launched to finance repair works and the construction of wastewater treatment stations in resorts.

She informed that the fund had been scheduled to start functioning in 2016.

Bulgaria's Tourism Minister underscored that the mountain resort of Pamporovo had been packed with tourists during the Christmas and New Year holidays, with some 6000-7000 people a day using the ski facilities.

Angelkova noted that the recent statistics on Pamporovo justified forecasts of a 4-5% growth in tourist numbers in the winter season.