“The capital’s favourite mountain, Vitosha, is a prerequisite for year-round sustainable and urban tourism”. Tourism Minister Ilin Dimitrov emphasized this during a working meeting on the prospects for the development of mass sports and tourism in Vitosha Nature Park, held on the initiative of President Rumen Radev.
The meeting was attended by the President, part of the ministers in the official cabinet, the Mayor of Sofia Yordanka Fandakova, representatives of the local administration, the sports community, the management and the investors in the Vitosha Natural Park.
The meeting emphasized that Sofia is the only European and world capital with similar unique features – a high mountain with possibilities for winter and summer sports, less than 10 km away from the city’s centre. ️️
The position was expressed that it was unacceptable to abandon such a natural phenomenon and to stop existing lifts. The Head of State, President Radev, emphasized that for the first time, all the factors that depend on solving Vitosha-related problems are gathered at one table; this can happen with a joint effort, Administrative messes must give in to the public interest and seek reasons and solutions instead of guilty ones.
Minister Dimitrov mentioned that it is imperative to note that in the 80s, Vitosha was one of the most developed European resorts, the cradle of Bulgarian skiing and the fate of many sports actors.
He further emphasized that the discussion highlighted that the overall vision – paths, communications, road maintenance and slopes are essential, and the mountain also means child education and health.
He said, “Above all, we cannot work on a piece. The investor here has a vision that, if we support, will do well. The destination relies on year-round tourism – sustainable, urban and eventful”.
Vitosha’s mass sports and tourism development is overshadowed by the Ministry of Tourism’s campaign for weekend tourism. Minister Dimitrov stated that Bulgarian tourists should be a priority for domestic tourism.
He also mentions that only within 30 km of Vitosha, there are over 2 million potential tourists. “Every lev that enters Bulgaria from tourism must be multiplied by 2.5 to 4 times. This is the sun. The multiplication factor. Every tourist not on Vitosha is a loss to our economy”, said the Tourism Minister.
He noted that it became clear at the meeting that urgent legal changes are needed to start the reconstruction of Vitosha’s infrastructure and modernization of facilities.
The Minister of Youth and Sports, Vesela Lecheva, said that political will is needed to build new sports facilities and an overall investment vision while limiting the possibility of rebuilding and violating the ecological balance.
The Municipal Tourism Enterprise and MT can work very well. Minister Dimitrov has already held several meetings with them, and all opportunities will be used to improve the presentation of Vitosha as an excellent weekend rest opportunity.