Bulgarian Ski Resorts Score Top Marks

Standard Daily, 8th February 2006

What is the standard of the most popular Bulgarian resorts as regards organization, conditions and prices? What could make foreign tourists give their preference to Bansko and Borovets and what would prevent them from coming here again.
Two hundred and ten journalists from 32 countries who took part in the 52nd World Ski Championship for Journalists held in Bansko answered these questions.
All the participants in Bansko 2006 had the opportunity to get closely acquainted with Bulgaria's most chic ski resort. They spent a day in Bulgaria's leading mountain resort Borovets, too.

On the last day of the contest the journalists had to fill in questionnaire forms with 39 questions about their impressions. All the participants in the poll were explicit that they hadn't any problems during their visit to Bulgaria. Seventy two percent of the guests expressed their readiness to return in their capacity of tourists next time. The journalists were greatly pleased with the condition of the ski runs in Bansko. Here is what some of them said:

We Prefer Bansko to Sweden
Terttu Levonen (Finland, cross country race winner for women over 45): Pirin's beauty cannot be described, the white peaks as if pierce the emerald sky. My husband and I decided to come to Bansko for a winter vacation next year. Why should we go to Sweden? Nice weather is rare there, it is very cold and prices are much higher. Bansko avails of more modern facilities than many of the promoted winter resorts in Europe.

Fantastic Ski Runs
Haim Tal (the Israeli team captain): What you did at the opening of the event was something I had never seen at SCIJ meetings before. We had a night flight from Sofia to Tel Aviv and I recommended that the whole team stayed as long as we could in Bansko to enjoy the fantastic ski runs.

Nice Surprise
Roberto Micalli (Italy, SCIJ Secretary General): To everybody in our team, who have seen and skied in many Alpine resorts, it was a really nice surprise to discover such a beautiful and modern winter centre in Bansko. I will return to Bansko with pleasure. The Bulgarians were not only splendid hosts but also perfect organizers.

Americans Should know of Melnik
Leah Larkin (US team captain): I could not believe my eyes when I saw the sports facilities in Bansko. They are absolute world class! I will write about what impressed me here on the pages of the American press I collaborate with from Europe.

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