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BANSKO SKI RESORT: 10 NEW HOTELS ARE UNDER CONSTRUCTION
BANSKO SKI RESORT: 10 NEW HOTELS ARE UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Interview with the mayor of Bansko Mr. Alexandar Kravarov 250,000 skiers and tourists visited the town of Bansko during the winter season, says Mr. Kravarov, the mayor of the town. He was one of the first to support the construction of the major new ski center Q: Mr. Kravarov, was the last winter season successful for the town of Bansko? A: It was much more successful than expected. A comparison with the season of 2002, reveals that this year the ski pistes above the town were visited and enjoyed by twice as many tourists – at about 250 000. However, we expected this increase in numbers, since now there are installed many new machines and equipment – a Gondola lift, lifts, new pistes. The organization provided by the investor “Yulen” Company was perfect. There were no queues for the liftes or the pistes and no tension, despite the great number of tourists. Everything was perfect: the employees of the company, the equipment, and the citizens. We almost did not have any complaints by the tourists. Q: Your task, as a mayor, is to turn Bansko into a year-round holiday place and not only an attractive ski resort. Do you have some plans about that? A: We opened the summer season on the 22nd of May, which coincided with the holiday of the town. We really try hard to attract visitors during the summer with numerous cultural festivities. The Amateur Ensembles Festival “Among three mountains” already finished. However, we have prepared several interesting spectacles, which we expect to be visited both by Bulgarians and foreigners. As we all know, on Saturday (12.06.) starts the European Football Championship in Portugal. At that time will began a huge beer festival in Bansko: we plan to instal several video walls and to invite different bands, which will entertain the football fans every night. Our traditional cultural program, includes the Jazz Festival 8-13 August, the Rock Concert of “Manfred Dill” – 14 August and the Festival of the Macedonian Music “Pirin Folk” – 27-28 August. Bansko is destined to become a summer cultural center; we have about 150 cultural monuments here! Q: We know that you have serious troubles with the narrow and bumpy streets, the dirtiness, the numerous animal flocks, which pass over the entire town. How do you plan to solve these problems? A: It won’t be easy; there are many problems like that. But we are motivated to go straight ahead. The streets are in awful condition, we have problems with the water drainage system and the electricity. However, we have already prepared an electricity investment project for the next 4 years together with the Electric Company – the town of Blagoevgrad and the Ministry of Energetic. We need to expend the substation, because the current one is not enough and does not correspond to the electricity loading from the ski-centre. Our project for the water-drainage system of the city is also ready. At the moment it is 40 km long (76 km if the holiday area is included). Thus we need to have a serious investment, zoning of the water pressure and new water supply. We also have a problem with the waste waters, because the drainage system is not adapted to the enormous construction work going on in the town. Thus we plan to build a collector for the subterranean waters. Q: Where do you plan to find funds about it? A: We make the best we can to provide funds. Our town is lacking behind the ski-zone. The ski-zone is hyper modern, with equipment produced in 2002, while the town below is small with the problems that such towns face. We apply for all EU programs, but till now have received funds only from “Beautiful Bulgaria” Project. Till the end of the year, we expect the Ministry of Energetic to invest in the region approximately 1 million BGN. We also expect to receive 2 million BGN from “SAPARD” Program for substitution of the drainage system and covering of the streets with asphalt. For the water purifying system we need 4 million Euro. The two collectors, which are to lead the waste waters to the station, cost 7 million BGN both. For an overall town-development we need at about 50 million BGN, but let’s be realistic, we can not change everything overnight. Q: Some people still consider Bansko as a very small town, rather a village. Do they have a right to talk like that? A: Well, Bansko is not a big town. But it is turning into a modern resort. Recently, we presented a motion before the Regional Council for determination of special zones for animal farms, vegetable and fruit gardens and our idea was approved. These farms will be located outside the town. Q: At the moment, all over the town are constructed numerous hotels. Does Bansko need more hotels? Are the already existing ones not enough? A: The businessmen know that with the new ski-centre the number of the tourists will inevitably rise. Our accommodation base is not enough and they invest their money in that. At the moment are constructed 10 new hotels with 200 beds each. They are built close to the gondola cable car. 40 new projects shall start after they receive a license by the Municipality. Q: Three other municipalities – Razlog, Yakoruda and Belitsa hope that they will also benefit from Bansko being a popular winter resort. Do you plan to work alone or to work mutually with the other municipalities? A: The future of Bansko is tightly connected with that of the other municipalities. We plan to develop a ski zone with center the village of Dobriniste. It will be similar to that above the town of Bansko. But it urgently needs many new hotels. In case the investment is over 20 million Euro, the village will need at least 2 000 beds. And it does not have it. Actually, at the moment a new hotel is constructed there and another one will start by the end of the year. Each one will offer at about 100 beds. However, this is only the beginning.-
Ana Whitton From UK
Sent on 06 March 2019I wanted to write a proper review of our hotel and experience while in Pamporovo, so this is the addition to my email. We flew to Sofia and the pre booked taxi transport was waiting for us. The driver (Kosta) was wonderful and we felt really safe with him driving. Our flight was late and we arrived to the Dafovska hotel after midnight. The reception was open and they were waiting for us. We were given sandwiches and water and shown to our room. The rooms were spacious and warm, the beds comfortable, bathroom lovely and clean. Plenty of hot water, the towels were changed every day and bins emptied. The hotel has Jacuzzi, sauna and steam room which is 12 leva per person with towels. I would have liked the water in the Jacuzzi to be a bit warmer. We went in every day after skiing, apart from one when we tried a different hotel. Snezanka hotel has a swimming pool too. Its ok but it was too busy for us and we decided to stick with ours. Their changing rooms are very very small and you have to pay extra for the towels. We chose half board. There was many things to choose for breakfast, hot food, pancakes, fruit, cereal & toast. Apple & orange juice as well as many teas and coffees. I have to admit I always take my own tea bags ïŠ. Not having to cook dinner after a day skiing was very welcome. There isn’t really a great choice for strict vegetarians, but I always managed to find tasty food to eat. You can buy drinks from the bar, or bring your own. There is a free shuttle bus that takes you to ski centre Malina. Very busy ski centre. We met with the representative Nelly there. I would have preferred to have the information on what time to be where when we arrived. Nelly organised our helmets (you need to rent this separately, 5 leva per person), ski equipment and our instructor. Well! I cannot give more glowing review for our instructor! Alex was amazing, very patient, very friendly and knowledgeable. We had lessons in the morning, then lunch, which he was very good to organise with the local bar, then another set of lessons. The food in the bars by the ski school and at the top of the slope was very good. Big portions, quickly delivered. I only needed soup at lunch time which were homemade and delicious. Staff, at the ski centre and gondolas, didn’t always speak a lot of English or smile enough but they were never the less very helpful especially with children and beginners. We skied on our last day too and we were picked up from the hotel by a taxi to be taken to the airport. This taxi driver was not so careful and good at driving and we could not wait to get to Sofia and get out of his car. The whole organisation of our trip with BulgariaSki was excellent! Thank you all -
Tommyboy From Scotland
Sent on 07 April 20185th time skiing in Bansko, have been here over Xmas period and Easter break, hasn't always been a lot of snow but enough to ski for five days. It is a good value for money skiing holiday for those on a budget, food very good value and varied depending on taste, some restaurants better than others, again depending on personal taste. Not to sure what the nightlife is like as we stay in our timeshare resort The Balkan Jewel which is 3 > 4 miles out of Bansko, they operate a free shuttle bus but the last one back from town is at 4.30pm therefore going back into town would require the use of taxis. I am sure we will be back in the future. -
Mitko From Bulgaria
Sent on 28 February 2018Dear all, Borovets is a nice place to be, but it is risky to ski there. The slopes for advanced skiers are crossing the slopes for beginners and the slopes are negligently prepared with icy spots and snow heap places. This all is a precondition for accidents. The ski lifts are maintained all on the surface, they stop frequently and the gondola had to be scrapped years ago. So be careful when skiing in Borovets! -
Lene willsea From N.i
Sent on 28 February 2018I love Pomporova. Its our home from home.We first went in 2008, the airport was a portacabin and the lifts were a dangling wooden chair.. The place improves year on year. I would highly recommend it. VERY CHEAP once ur there. But with all upgrades the prices to travel are clinbing. Jumped 200 in two yrs. -
Neo From United Kingdom
Sent on 15 February 2018The hotel it’s a brilliant idea however there are aspects you would be surprised to stumble upon We arrived late at night about 10pm. Greater by a very polite hostes she kindly provided us with prepacked sandwiches as the restaurant closed at 9pm ( we called in advance to ask if such is possible especially when you have young ckranky from long travel hours in multiple travel vechicles The room very spatious. Bed cover had some suspicious sticky stains that absolutely horrified me at the thought that my children could possibly put their tiny hands on to that. One of the bath robes provided had a black stain on its back, the other bath robe had its pocket thorn out and just hanging. There was a massive flaky, mouldy, damp patch in the corner on the ceiling. The toilet was leaking on the floor. Breakfast food was cold and rancid with a queue for pncakes quite long and very impatient as pancakes was the only food that you could have still warm. Boiled eggs were cold and so hard the yolk was dusty . Fried eggs were dry... won’t even go to details about the rest of the food. As the drinks offered to be purchased by the restaurant aren’t the healthiest of choice for children (all the juices on choice contained added multiple preserving agents and colourants) we asked if possible to have some tap water. It proved to be a terrible mistake, we were told that yes but we would have to pay for it, then told that if they bring a jug for us everyone else will be asking for it, then he brought a manager who was more rude than the server and plainly put it that even if we have children asking for water we would have to buy bottled water and she is not prepared to give us water for free, unnecessarily often stressing the �free’ word. There are far more many good things that are good about this hotel. It’s main let down it’s restaurant staff who are poor hospitality professionals and frankly plain rude. -
Nigel Buckle From United Kingdom
Sent on 17 December 2017I have stayed at the Orlovetz for 6 out of the last 8 years and will be returning in 2018 for another week. It has become my 'Winter retreat'. A modern hotel that stands out due to its prominent position and its design. The rooms are comfortable and warm with plenty of wardrobe space and an area to relax. The safe is in the wardrobe, which is really useful for your valuables. There is a decently equipped gym, a small pool (though you can also use the larger pool in the Perelik as well) a Sauna and massage treatments, great for those aches from the first days of skiing ! The restaurant was made larger a couple of years ago and now accommodates more guests. Both breakfast and dinner are buffet style, the food, in general, is of good quality and there usually at least four different options at dinner. There is a small bar in the lobby area and a Piano Bar on the top floor that has stunning views across the surrounding district. As it is the sister hotel to the Perelik there is a tunnelway that links the two and saves you going out in the snow if you choose to use the alternative facilities provided there. One of them being 'The Pub' (previously known as the Pampi Bar) plus a couple of night clubs and a bowling alley. Also as the Orlovetz is just across from the Schnezanka it is only a short walk to Daks Bar, often used as the first mornings meeting place for your ski passes etc.,which is a lively night spot with live music and very popular. In all a great Hotel within a great small town, try it , Pamper yourself ! -
Liz From England
Sent on 19 November 2017I went with my daughter January 2018. I was a cheap half board flights included and we wasn’t expecting much.... but what a fantastic week we had!! Stayed at the Lion hotel which is about a 10-15 minute walk to the slopes/town. A free shuttle is provide by the hotel. The hotel and staff are lovely. The food was always varied and hot. My daughter and I are vegetarians and in only two nights were we disappointed with the choice - but we heaped up on pudding so didn’t go hungry. Am lucky enough to be going back in 2018. -
val From United Kingdom
Sent on 15 February 2017group of us just back from borovets.we arrived 4th feb 2017 and departed 11th feb.had a great time.hotel rila was fab.great gym and spa.food was good.ski school was great.we had a really good instructor Martin Hristov.he was really good with everyone took time to try and learn everyone.we all had a great time thankyou.will be back next yearx
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