“A 5% increase in tourists is expected this winter season in our country compared to last year. It is a process that takes place thanks to the efforts and work of everyone in the industry.We are talking about the sustainability of the tourist product”,said the acting Minister of Tourism Evtim Miloshev at the opening of the winter season in Pamporovo today. The winter season was launched in the resort today with 7 open slopes. “Our hopes are for an active and stable winter tourist season” miloshev said. he commented to the media on the return of VAT for hoteliers from 9 to 20%.”This is the most painful topic – the amount of VAT for sports facilities. This is the most painful topic for our sports resorts, as this price directly affects the price of the card for the use of ski facilities and does not make us competitive,” said Miloshev. He noted that ther is a reduced VAT rate in alpine resorts and around the world for this type of service, and our rate goes back to 20%. “This is not good news for our ski tourist destinations,” said the minister.
Miloshev pointed out that the good news for tourism is the opening of land borders, with the decision to admit Bulgaria to Schengen.
“Once the borders are opened, the passage will be much easier. The fact that from April 1 Mr. we are part of the air Schengen already felt. For the next few years, on average, especially for tourism from the entry of land Schengen, an additional income of BGN 300 million is expected,” Miloshev pointed out.
The Minister stated that 197 charter flights from Great Britain and Ireland with 38,000 guests are expected at Plovdiv Airport this winter.37 flights with over 4,000 seats from israel are also planned. Charter flights from Bucharest, Prague, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates are also expected. “The Middle East is a serious potential for our tourism, both winter and mainly spa tourism, as well as our entire tourism product,” commented Miloshev.
For today and tomorrow, lift ticket prices in Pamporovo are promotional, from 40 BGN. per day for the student holiday. Until December 21, it will be 82 BGN, and after that it will be 98 BGN.According to the executive director of “Pamporovo” AD, the increase in VAT will inevitably effect the price for the end user. Last year, the price of the lift card was BGN 90, and this winter it is rising becuase of the difference in VAT,” said Belyakov.
Along with the Minister of Tourism, the start of the ski season was given by the Regional Governor of Smolyan Zahari Sirakov, the Mayor of Chepelare Municipality Boran hadzhiev and the Deputy Mayor of Smolyan Municipality Mariana Tsekova, and also our Olympic champion from Nagano Ekaterina Dafovska.