Marc Girardelli

In front of the Council of Ministers, the protests of environmentalists are resumed after the news that Marc Girardelli is the owner of the concession company of the Bansko ski area.

This morning activists came with skiing and other winter equipment in the triangle of power.

Luxembourg skiing legend Marc Girardelli's claim that he owns Bulgaria's biggest ski resort -- which environmentalists say is damaging the surrounding national park -- drew widespread scepticism in Bulgaria on Wednesday, reports AFP.

The resort town of Bansko on Saturday is welcoming its first ski tourists this year with a special inauguration ceremony.

Sports Minister Krasen Kralev attended the festive events which began at the new lift built in the Shiligarnika area, specialized websites report.

Bulgaria's Tourism Ministry foresees the launching of two campaigns aimed at stimulating domestic tourism, one of them being with the participation of the local authorities.

This was announced by Tourism Minister Nikolina Angelkova during her visit to the town of Kardzhali on Tuesday, daily Dnevnik reports.

Bulgaria's Tourism Ministry is preparing legal amendments that will facilitate the construction of ski lifts and facilities, according to Tourism Minister Nikolina Angelkova.

Angelkova met Monday with representatives of ski resorts, concessionaires of ski lifts and local authorities.

Ski racing legend Marc Girardelli will be advisor to Bulgaria's Tourism Minister Nikolina Angelkova.

Angelkova, as cited by the Bulgarian National Radio, announced Friday that she would consult Girardelli on matters concerning winter tourism.

"Bulgaria's main goal is to gain recognition as a year-round tourist destination among the top five on the European market," she stated.