Minister Baltova attends the opening of the Snowboard World Cup competition in Bansko

Minister of Tourism Stela Baltova attended the official opening of competitions for the Snowboard World Cup in Bansko, which is held in Bulgaria for the first time. She welcomed participants in the prestigious winter competition and the numerous tourists arriving to watch the games, and paid special tribute to Bansko’s efforts to win the right to host the event.

Originally, Bulgaria was only given the right to organize the parallel giant slalom for men and women but the superb conditions here convinced the International Ski Federation experts to hold two more starts within the framework of the 3-day winter sports festival, it was revealed by the Minister of Tourism.

She further emphasized that the competition for the esteemed trophy are an excellent occasion for us to display to the numerous event participants and guests what the region and our country have to offer not only in terms of sports facilities, but also as nature and diversity of high-grade tourism services. Hosting an event of such scale is yet another international recognition for the resort and for the efforts of business and the municipality towards its solid image, as well as for our country’s reputation as a winter destination.

Stela Baltova also congratulated the winners in the parallel giant slalom for men and women, which was held on the first event day.

Earlier that day Minister Baltova met the Bansko mayor Georgi Ikonomov, with the two paying a visit to the Visitor’s Center of Pirin National Park. Its director Rossen Banenski informed the minister that the region is transforming into an increasingly visited year-round destination and that 200 people a day would visit during last year’s summer. Later on Minister Baltova and Mayor Ikonomov looked at the Holy Trinity church in Bansko – the second biggest in Bulgaria.

Minister Baltova also visited Bansko’s Tourist Information Center. During her visit she discussed with local government representatives current topics relating to tourism development in the municipality and the region.    

Following the competition opening ceremony and the awards ceremony for the winners in the first discipline, Minister Baltova was also guest of a gourmet exhibition organized by Bansko Municipality, during which she congratulated the winner in the men’s competition – Radoslav Yankov.

The competition opening ceremony was also attended by the Minister of Youth and Sports, Prof. Daniela Dasheva, the Bansko mayor, Georgi Ikonomov, representatives of tourism businesses, many tourists, etc.