- How interesting is Ukraine as a tourist market for your office?
- Traditionally, good relations exist between our countries. Ukraine has always been and remains a very interesting tourist market for us. Bulgaria intends to restore its positions as an attractive tourist destination in your country. Our sea, mountain and balneological resorts have become simply unrecognizable.
The main task of the Service for Trade and Economic Affairs and Tourism is to introduce Ukrainian travelers to the diversity of tourism opportunities in Bulgaria, to its rich cultural and historical heritage, traditions and customs, excellent cuisine and wines; to disseminate information about news and achievements of Bulgarian tourism and to attract Ukraine's attention to Bulgaria.
It can be said that for Ukrainian tourists Bulgaria is both familiar and unfamiliar, so our goal is to show you all the diversity of our hospitable country. We try to enrich information about Bulgaria in various ways. At the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Ukraine, we regularly hold meetings with tour operators. The purpose of these meetings is not only informational. They give us the opportunity to hear the opinion of tour operators, their recommendations and suggestions, which helps us improve our activities and intensify joint cooperation.
- What trends in tourism development would you note?
- From January to September 2003, Bulgaria was visited by 2.848.174 foreign tourists, which is 16,57% more than in the same period of 2002. Germany leads in the number of tourists who vacationed in Bulgaria, followed by Greece and Macedonia. During the same period, Bulgaria was visited by 41.017 tourists from Ukraine. All in all, over the nine months of 2003, there has been an increase in the number of tourists from various countries, such as Greece (+29,31%), Germany (+11,46%), the United Kingdom (+42,60%), Russia (+22,51%), and Ukraine (+7,36%).
The main factor of success is the optimal price-quality ratio. Most hotels at the Bulgarian Black Sea resorts have been modernized. The main reason for these investments was the change of ownership - more than 99% of hotels were privatized, meaning they are already privately owned. The new owners realized the need to improve the quality of services in order to survive in the face of intense competition.
Prestigious hotel chains of world renown such as «Iberotel», «Iberostar», «Princess», «Hilton», «Radisson» have already established themselves and are actively operating in our country. In recent years, together with major tour operators «Neckermann», «ITS» and «TUI», a process of investing funds in the renovation of a number of facilities at the main seaside resorts has begun. To date, more than 75% of hotels have three, four and five stars.
The successful development of Bulgaria's tourism business has also been recognized internationally. At the General Assembly of the World Tourism Organization, held on 17-24 October in Beijing, Bulgaria, along with three other European countries - Italy, Croatia and Turkey - was elected a member of the Executive Council of the World Tourism Organization. At the closing of the 10th anniversary International Tourism Exhibition «Inter Stas - 2003», held on 15-18 October 2003 under the patronage of the President of the Republic of Croatia, Stipe Mesic, Bulgaria's achievements in tourism in 2003 were awarded the prestigious prize of the European Federation of Journalists.
At the tourism trade fair in Frankfurt, German tourists once again selected the 100 best hotels, and among them were two Bulgarian ones. One is in the vacation village «Riviera», the second is the hotel «Iberostar Tiara Beach» on Sunny Beach. In the summer of 2004, five more hotels of the «Iberostar» chain will open their doors on Sunny Beach, in Ravda and Nesebar.
The influential London newspaper «Evening Star» in its latest issue listed five hot tourist destinations where Britons will vacation next year. According to the «Evening Star», the first place in the ranking of preferences is occupied by Bulgaria and the Bulgarian Black Sea coast, the second by the Caribbean Islands, the third by Portugal, the fourth by the Greek island of Santorini, and the fifth by Florida.
- And what types of tourism are currently most popular in Bulgaria?
- In addition to traditional types of tourism, Bulgaria is also promoting the development of other, less popular forms - health and wellness, sightseeing and educational, alternative, ecological, rural, and hunting.
Most Bulgarian villages, located in ecologically clean areas and preserving their traditional appearance and genuine national spirit, hospitably open their doors to all who wish to get acquainted with rich traditions and folklore, tasty and varied local cuisine, and the sincerity of human relations. The soulful atmosphere of a Bulgarian village can be felt in Bozhentsi, Arbanasi, Zheravna, Brashlyan, Kovachevitsa, Leshten, Dolen, Momchilovtsi, Shiroka Laka, Ribaritsa, Bela Cherkva, and others.
Ecological tourism has significant development potential. A network of three national and nine nature parks has been created, and there are many nature reserves and natural attractions. Mountain trails with a total length of 37,000 km are marked. Pirin National Park and the Srebarna biosphere reserve (lake) are included in the UNESCO World Heritage list.
Hunting tourism relies on a rich game stock that includes red deer, fallow deer, wild goats, mouflons, wild boars, bears, capercaillies, hares, partridges, pheasants, and many other representatives of the animal world. In terms of the quality of hunting trophies, Bulgaria ranks among the top in the world. Numerous tourist bases and hunting lodges across the country offer all necessary amenities.
- Traditionally, in Ukraine, an image of Bulgaria as a country for summer seaside holidays has developed. And where would you advise to go in autumn or winter?
- That's why I always say that Bulgaria is both familiar and unfamiliar for Ukrainian tourists. After all, we have excellent natural conditions for ski tourism and winter sports thanks to the Rila, Pirin, Rhodopes, Vitosha and Stara Planina mountains. Our international ski resorts Pamporovo (Rhodopes), Borovets (Rila), Bansko (Pirin), Aleko (Vitosha) offer slopes of varying difficulty, all necessary facilities, cozy hotels, and tourist bases.
Bulgaria's relief is exceptionally diverse: on a territory of 111,000 sq km, from 0 to 2,925 m above sea level, spacious plains and valleys, low and high mountains, exceptionally beautiful rock phenomena, glacial, abrasion, erosion and karst forms, among which are 4,300 caves, alternate. This makes it possible, along with hiking, to engage in mountaineering and speleology.
In addition to recreation at large ski resorts, Bulgaria offers tourists trips to villages in Stara Planina with opportunities for ice swimming, safari picnics, and seclusion amid beautiful nature.
Several Bulgarian communities invite visitors on the "Monastery Tour into the Heart of Bulgaria." The trip begins in the town of Teteven, located in the beautiful valley of the Vit River, surrounded by the peaks of Petrakhil, Cherven and Treskavets. One of the most famous sights of the region is the Glozhene Monastery of St. George the Victorious, built back in the 13th century during the reign of Tsar Ivan Asen II.
Well, for those who are not interested in philosophical seclusion, but prefer recreation amid the benefits of civilization, Ribaritsa will certainly appeal. The village is located 12 km from Teteven and attracts with beautiful nature and an abundance of entertainment. Ski lovers will be pleased by the hotel's own ski slope, which also offers possibilities for night skiing.
Thrill-seekers will undoubtedly be charmed by the surprises of a jeep safari with a picnic in the mountains. Calmer and quieter natures can indulge their passion for fishing. Those who love mountain walks can visit the tea house at Berkina Mogila, where, without doubt, they will be intoxicated by the incredible view of the surrounding peaks. The feeling is majestic, worth experiencing.
At Villa Kardela, a paradise for ice swimmers and climbers, the highlight is the wild nature amid which the house is built. After the attractions of Ribaritsa, it's the turn of picturesque Troyan. The first stop is at the majestic Troyan Monastery, known for the miracle-working icon of the Holy Mother of God of the Three Hands. You will be amazed by the incredible architecture and the spiritual atmosphere of the cloister. 20 km west of Troyan, you can reach the village of Shipkovo, famous for its mineral baths. The nearby village of Chiflik is renowned for its warm open-air mineral pools.
- Do you think Ukrainian tourists differ from tourists from other countries?
- I can't say they differ greatly, but the temperaments of Bulgarians and Ukrainians are similar. Ukrainians are cheerful, warm-hearted, and open people, and it's easy and pleasant to communicate with them. I am sure that Ukrainian tourists who have already visited Bulgaria remember the hospitality and warmth of Bulgarians toward them. We want our guests to get the very best and to choose Bulgaria again as the place for their vacation.
- What new things will Bulgaria offer Ukrainian tourists in the coming season?
- All winter resorts in Bulgaria are already ready for the upcoming winter season. Last summer, about 4 million leva were allocated for the construction of ski slope facilities and snowmaking machines in Borovets, the oldest and largest ski resort in Bulgaria. Borovets was established at the end of the 19th century as a hunting base for Bulgarian tsars, and over the last 20 years it has become a modern ski center. The resort's slopes, located among centuries-old pines at an altitude of 1,350 m above sea level, vary in difficulty and purpose. Their total length is 40 km. In Borovets, a wide range of leisure opportunities awaits you: daytime skiing, night runs down illuminated and musically accompanied slopes, an ice rink, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, saunas, fitness, exercise equipment, table tennis, billiards, bowling, etc. Folklore evenings with wine tasting and original local dishes are exceptionally attractive.
Pamporovo is one of the sunniest Bulgarian winter resorts. It is located at an altitude of 1,650 m above sea level at the foot of the Rhodope peak Snejanka. The gentle terrain of the mountains and rounded peaks make Pamporovo's ski slopes especially convenient for both beginners and experienced skiers. About 100-150 million leva have been invested in Pamporovo for the upcoming season. The resort offers indoor swimming pools, saunas, a wellness center at the Perelik Hotel, and archery at the Murgavets Hotel. I recommend trying the original Rhodope dishes prepared according to special recipes, and the excellent local wine in the resort's numerous establishments.
The pearl of Bulgaria's winter tourism crown is Bansko, a charming and distinctive town in the Mesta Valley, surrounded by three mountain ranges: Rila, Rhodopes, and Pirin. The latter is crowned by Vihren peak, which has a height of 2,914 m and gives the town an alpine backdrop. At the end of this month, a new gondola lift will be launched in Bansko. From December to April, the Shiligarlika slopes (12 km from Bansko) offer some of the best conditions for skiing in Bulgaria. Although Shiligarlika is the smallest of the country's four major ski resorts, its high altitude (1,700 m) and slope length (over 2,500 m), as well as abundant snowfall, make these slopes favorable for skiers and snowboarders. So, as you can see, winter Bulgaria will always find something to delight its guests!