At the official opening of the winter season in Bansko, caretaker Minister of Tourism Evtim Miloshev said that Bulgaria has the potential to become a leading tourist country in the region.

It is high time the discussion began among all institutions in the country about making Bulgarian tourism a strategic priority and developing it comprehensively, Minister Miloshev said. Bulgaria is now a recognizable year-round tourist destination, but the conversation about tourism as a priority industry among all industries in the country has not taken place yet, Evtim Miloshev said further. That is a state policy that must be pursued under a stable regular government, Minister Miloshev said and added that the country’s full membership of the Schengen area as of 1 January next year will bring an optimistic change to the prospect of growth in winter tourism.

On his part the mayor of Bansko stated that the resort was ready for the tourist season as well as for the world snowboard cup, especially after the snowfall.