Ministry of Tourism: Vitosha with new draft management plan by the end of April

Institutions in the inter-ministerial working group on mountain tourism discussed the future of Vitosha Nature Park

Minister Miroslav Borshosh initiated the second meeting of the inter-ministerial working group for the sustainable development of mountain tourism in Bulgaria at the Ministry of Tourism, and the focus was on Vitosha.  

"The mountain, which is a symbol of the capital and has a huge tourist potential, is a very important topic, for which we are finally gathering all interested and responsible parties – together to decide what is the future of Vitosha. It is a top priority for us to develop sustainable tourism in the mountains and that is why we are bringing together all the parties with a stake in this process," said Minister of Tourism Miroslav Borshosh at the opening of the meeting. In his words, the aim is to make a comprehensive analysis and to thoroughly discuss the possibilities of ensuring accessibility to the mountain without compromising its conservation.

Particular attention was paid to the need to update the already developed Vitosha Nature Park Management Plan, which according to all participants is a prerequisite for real action.

"We expect the draft of the Vitosha Management Plan to be proposed for discussion, because it is a key instrument that will provide a basis for the next important steps," Minister Miroslav Borshosh stressed.

The competent institutions have confirmed that the plan is already ready and will undergo inter-ministerial coordination by the end of April by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food and the Ministry of Environment and Water. Following positive opinions, it will be published for public consultation.

Among the participants were representatives of the relevant ministries, the regional government, the Sofia Municipal Council, representatives of local authorities, NGOs and investors. The topics covered the current state of the tourism infrastructure, the need for reconstruction of existing facilities and construction of new ones, possible legislative changes, and the coordination of each step with environmental standards.

In the meantime, the sub-groups continue their activities within the inter-ministerial working group, with targeted meetings to be organised for the other mountains.