Ministry of Tourism establishes inter-ministerial working group on sustainable development of mountain tourism

An inter-ministerial working group was established by order of the Minister of Tourism Miroslav Borshosh to analyse the key challenges and opportunities for the sustainable development of mountain tourism in Bulgaria.

The working group, chaired by Minister Borshosh, includes representatives of five ministries – Tourism, Regional Development and Public Works, Environment and Water, Agriculture and Food, Youth and Sport. Its aim is to draw up proposals for improving the regulatory framework, facilitating access to the Bulgarian mountains and the maintenance of tourist infrastructure – hiking and cycling trails, skiing and mountain biking routes, as well as their marking and securing.

"The approach should be systematic and careful. Nature is our main capital and its protection must be combined with the need for active and sustainable tourism. That is why we will discuss each mountain separately – with its resorts, parks and specific cases," said Minister Miroslav Borshosh.

Participants in the working group stressed the need for more flexible mechanisms for investment in tourism infrastructure, while maintaining the balance between nature conservation and the development of tourist areas.

The first major topic is related to Vitosha and the case studies there, a date for the next meeting of the working group will be set soon.