Pirin – a World Tourist Destination

A project for development of the region 2005-2014 Общини , , Simitli and Municipalities Description of project

The ski zone Kulinoto construction activities started in 1996 г after the approval of the Kulinoto Ski lift project plan under OVOS by Municipality Razlog MOSV. The facility was built on lands, which are excluded from municipality lands and the national park. The project plan and strategy provide for a new, modern sports and tourist- recreational complex construction and an ecological product development in the Pirin mountain northern part , based on the existing natural resources, directed especially to the mountain lovers and improving of the opportunities for contact with it and the Pirin recreational resources preservation and use. Ecological routes for mountain tourism, alternative forms of ecological tourism, specialized infrastructure, accommodation and recreation sites will be built at a strict observation of the environmental protection national and European legislation. Investors in the project are “Balkanstroy”JSC and BALKANSTROY АD is a private joint stock company, founded in 1994 г.

With its foundation the company gets specialized in consulting-engineering services in the field of researches, drawing projects, construction and reconstruction of sites of different character and purpose – residential, business-administrative, tourist- entertaining, industrial and communication, the environmental protection and restoration – ecological facilities and installations for the harmful effect restriction from environmental pollutants, reclamation of artificial mounds, dikes, terrains, etc. The company has been a member of the Bulgarian Building Chamber since 1997. It has a certificate for the execution of overall construction activities, issued by the Ministry of Regional Development. In 2002 the company received an ISO 9001: 2000 for an approved Quality Management System. As far as the Pirin development project is concerned it can be pointed out that Balkanstroy AD has a considerable experience in this field. An example for this is the Bansko ski zone construction. The facilities and ski-runs, which are built in Bansko resort and resort are cable ways, ski runs and ski ways, artificial snow equipments, power substations and ski equipment cables, service buildings, restaurants and eateries, waste water treatment facilities.. The project was awarded a First class investment Certificate by the Bulgarian Investment Agency PROJECT AREA

The area has a favourable situation in the outskirts of the Pirin woody slope with a wonderful view of and the Rhodopes. It is 10 km away from the town of Razlog on a road, which is an exit from the Simitli – Razlog main road. The area is connected with the built “Pirin Golf & Holidays Club” golf course and the town of Bansko via the “Old Banski road”.

Altitude 1 200 – 2 590 m,

An area of about 366 hа PROJECT GOALS

The Pirin development project goal is to unite the efforts of the population, the local authorities, the directorate, the investors, the experts, the ecologists and all the Pirin connoisseurs for its modern, complex and balanced development as a year-round world tourist destination of mountain resorts, which offers a unique package of high quality products, including all kinds of winter sports, summer mountain tourism, cultural tourism, congress tourism, rural tourism, balneology and SPA, golf and tennis, hunting tourism, a wide range of tourist attractions and entertainment. The goal is Pirin to become the most modern mountain resort area in South Eastern Europe and an attractive tourist destination of world class. The infrastructure and urbunization problems of the Pirin region municipalities will be solved through the development of tourism, the problem of unemployment will be solved and the local people‘s income will increase. The number of tourists in Bansko has increased recently, which inevitably leads to an insufficient capacity of the ski runs and the facilities in the region. The new ski and golf complex will meet the needs of the increasig number of winter sports lovers with new ski runs, lifts an facilities. PROJECT PARAMETERS

The project envisages the construction of ski and golf complex in the “Kulinoto” area in the lands of the Razlog, Simitli and Kresna municipalities. 102 km 102 km ski runs and 33 km ski lifts, including “Gondola” will be built. According to the еnvironmental resources, the infrastructure, which is built up to the present moment and the project routes the complex comprises the “Kulinoto” ski run, which has been already built, the traced on the terrain net of other ski runs and ski roads in the Kulinoto region, as well as areas for which there are ready projects and approved plans, such as the “Leskite” region for which there are projects of ski- runs, golf facilities, roads, lifts, etc. In the Kulinoto region four service activities areas will be built. The connection with the Dautov peak region will be realized through a gondola. There the first complex prject on the Pirin south high mountain slopes is being drawn. It comprises service terrains together with the adjacent ski runs and facilities, the Dautov peak , the Kamenishki peak and the Salzitsa lake areas.The project envisages the construction of facilities, which are situated on the North Pirin south slope with access to the Pirin, Pleshki and Bezimenen peaks. The ski runs and lifts routes are selected so that they almost do not interfere the pine territories and the environmental balance In the region will not be destroyed.

Dautov peak

SUMMER WINTER

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SKI RUNS AND SKI ROADS

№ NAME OF THE SKI LENGTH m AREA Altitude Altitude Denivelation Average AREA (m2/skier) Capacity RUNS AND THE SKI ROADS (ha) START FINAL m slope Number of skiers % TOTAL in NP outside NP TOTAL in NP outside NP

1 Ski run №1 1349 - 1349 5,40 - 5,40 1700 1282 418 31 200 270 2 Ski run №2 1402 297 1105 5,61 1,19 4,42 1693 1286 407 29 150 374 3 Ski run №3 993 - 993 3,97 - 3,97 1700 1406 294 30 200 199 4 Ski run №4 845 - 845 3,38 - 3,38 1653 1294 359 42 250 135 5 Ski run №5 891 - 891 3,56 - 3,56 1613 1301 312 35 200 178 6 Ski run №6 775 775 - 3,10 3,10 - 1494 1268 226 29 150 207 7 Ski run №7 688 688 - 2,75 2,75 - 1539 1326 213 31 200 138 8 Ski run №8 1299 1299 - 5,20 5,20 - 1878 1326 552 42 250 208 9 Ski run №9 1478 1163 315 5,91 4,65 1,26 1876 1306 570 39 200 296 10 Ski run №10 1251 1251 - 5,00 5,00 - 1855 1310 545 44 250 200 11 Ski run №11 1593 1593 - 6,37 6,37 - 1860 1325 535 34 200 319 Ski run № 12 Ski run №12 1696 1696 - 6,78 6,78 - 1843 1327 516 30 200 339 13 Ski run №13 1500 1500 - 6,00 6,00 - 1840 1433 408 27 150 400 14 Ski run №14 569 569 - 2,28 2,28 - 1569 1343 226 39 200 114 15 Ski run №15 2450 2450 - 9,80 9,80 - 2130 1355 775 32 200 490 16 Ski run №16 3054 3054 - 12,22 12,22 - 2422 1356 1067 35 200 611 17 Ski run №17 2007 2007 - 8,03 8,03 - 2294 1428 866 43 250 321 18 Ski run №18 2442 2442 - 9,77 9,77 - 2430 1398 1032 42 250 391 19 Ski run №19 1985 1985 - 7,94 7,94 - 2430 1474 956 48 250 318 20 Ski run №20 584 584 - 2,34 2,34 - 2175 1948 227 39 200 117 21 Ski run №21 979 979 - 3,92 3,92 - 2429 2222 207 21 150 261 Ski run №22 22 Ski run №22 615 615 - 2,46 2,46 - 2422 2222 200 32 200 123 23 Ski run №23 508 508 - 2,03 2,03 - 2428 2260 168 33 200 102 24 Ski run №24 829 829 - 3,32 3,32 - 2539 2411 129 16 150 221 Ski run № 25 Ski run №25 995 995 - 3,98 3,98 - 2506 2126 380 38 200 199 26 Ski run №26 1018 1018 - 4,07 4,07 - 2503 2152 351 34 200 204 27 Ski run №27 986 986 - 3,94 3,94 - 2503 2069 434 44 250 158 28 Ski run №28 1110 1110 - 4,44 4,44 - 2511 2064 447 40 200 222 29 Ski run №29 998 998 - 3,99 3,99 - 2346 2051 296 30 200 200 30 Ski run №30 1538 1538 - 6,15 6,15 - 2534 2070 464 30 200 308 31 Ski run №31 1442 1442 - 5,77 5,77 - 2464 2068 396 27 200 288 32 Ski run №32 1486 1486 - 5,94 5,94 - 2450 2063 388 26 200 297 33 Ski run №33 1501 1501 - 6,00 6,00 - 2441 2027 414 28 200 300 34 Ski run №34 818 818 - 3,27 3,27 - 2465 2191 274 34 200 164 35 Ski run №35 1356 1356 - 5,42 5,42 - 2566 2043 523 38 200 271 36 Ski run №36 1211 1211 - 4,84 4,84 - 2551 2053 499 41 250 194 37 Ski run №37 986 986 - 3,94 3,94 - 2551 2000 551 56 250 158 № NAME OF THE SKI LENGTH m AREA Altitude Altitude Denivelation Average AREA ( m2/skier Capacity RUNS AND THE SKI (decares) START FINAL m slope Nr of skiers ROADS %

TOTAL in NP outside NP TOTAL in NP outside NP

38 Ski run №38 721 721 - 2,88 2,88 - 2550 2156 394 55 250 115 39 Ski run №39 1518 1518 - 6,07 6,07 - 2568 2001 566 37 200 304 40 Ski run №40 1491 1491 - 5,96 5,96 - 2579 1997 583 39 200 298 41 Ski run №41 2179 2179 - 8,72 8,72 - 2520 1982 538 25 150 581 42 Ski run №42 1299 1299 - 5,20 5,20 - 2538 1984 553 43 250 208 43 Ski run №43 1421 1421 - 5,68 5,68 - 2525 1951 574 40 200 284 44 Ski run №44 662 662 - 2,65 2,65 - 2576 2340 236 36 200 132 45 Ski run №45 1952 1952 - 7,81 7,81 - 2053 1344 709 36 200 390 46 Ski run №46 1885 1885 - 7,54 7,54 - 2060 1353 706 37 200 377 47 Ski run №47 468 468 - 1,87 1,87 - 1631 1420 211 45 250 75 48 Ski run №48 1029 1029 - 4,12 4,12 - 1842 1477 364 35 200 206 49 Ski run №49 1998 1998 - 7,99 7,99 - 1862 1272 590 30 200 400 50 Ski run №50 1134 1134 - 4,54 4,54 - 1867 1708 159 14 120 378 51 Ski run №51 238 - 238 0,95 - 0,95 1653 1558 95 39 200 48 52 Ski run №52 210 - 210 0,84 - 0,84 1327 1288 38 18 120 70 53 Ski run №53 178 - 178 0,71 - 0,71 1315 1288 27 15 120 59 54 Ski run №54 1474 - 1474 5,90 - 5,90 1282 1149 133 9 120 491 55 Ski run №55 1172 - 1172 4,69 - 4,69 1268 1149 119 10 120 391 56 Ski run №56 1328 - 1328 5,31 - 5,31 1277 1149 128 10 120 443 57 Ski road №70 13585 13175 410 20,38 19,76 0,62 2578 1291 1287 9 120 1698 58 Ski road №71 3293 2138 1155 4,94 3,21 1,73 1653 1347 306 9 120 412 59 Ski road №72 559 319 240 0,84 0,48 0,36 1325 1273 52 9 120 70 60 Ski road №73 2702 2702 - 4,05 4,05 - 2055 1712 343 13 120 338 61 Ski road №74 1399 1399 - 2,10 2,10 - 1686 1538 148 11 120 175 62 Ski road №75 2103 2103 - 3,15 3,15 - 1866 1704 162 8 120 263 63 Ski road №76 1392 1392 - 2,09 2,09 - 1855 1754 101 7 120 174 64 Ski road №77 2730 2730 - 4,10 4,10 - 1650 1353 297 11 120 341 65 Ski road №78 740 740 - 1,11 1,11 - 2505 2340 165 22 120 93 66 Ski road №79 730 730 - 1,10 1,10 - 2044 1998 46 6 120 91 TOTAL: 98817 86914 11903 322,19 279,09 43,10 18195 CHARACTERISTICS OF THE NEW SKI FACILITIES

№ NAME OF THE SKI LENGTH (m) AREA (ha) ALTITUDE ALTITUDE DENIVELATION (m) TYPE OF FACILITY CAPACITY number FACILITIES START FINAL of skiers/h.

TOTAL in NP outside NP TOTAL in NP Outside NP

1 Gondola 1446 1446 - - - - 2069 2594 524 GONDOLA 5000 2 Lift "Kulino 1" 1627 1093 534 1,63 1,09 0,53 1271 1885 615 6CLD 3000 3 Lift "Kulino 2" 1414 - 1414 1,41 - 1,41 1276 1712 436 6CLD 3000 4 Lift "Leskite" 1261 - 1261 1,26 - 1,26 1141 1279 138 8CLD 4000 5 Lift "Muratov" 1327 1157 170 1,33 1,16 0,17 1303 1882 579 4CLD 2000 6 Lift "Сегмен тепе" 1488 1488 - 1,49 1,49 - 1302 1860 559 4CLD 2000 7 Lift "Седелец 1" 2826 2826 - 2,83 2,83 - 1346 2430 1084 6CLD 3000 8 Lift "Седелец 2" 1051 1051 - 1,05 1,05 - 2212 2430 218 4CLD 2000 9 Lift "Pirin 1" 805 805 - 0,81 0,81 - 2430 2540 110 6CLD 3000 10 Lift "Pirin 2" 1040 1040 - 1,04 1,04 - 2142 2519 377 4CLD 2000 11 Lift "Pirin 3" 1015 1015 - 1,02 1,02 - 2066 2514 448 4CLD 2000 12 Lift "Pirin 4" 1177 1177 - 1,18 1,18 - 2066 2535 469 4CLD 2000 13 Lift "Pleshki 1" 1317 1317 - 1,32 1,32 - 2053 2452 399 4CLD 2000 14 Lift "Pleshki 2" 1363 1363 - 1,36 1,36 - 2025 2448 423 4CLD 2000 15 Lift "Skalite 1" 1245 1245 - 1,25 1,25 - 2039 2562 523 4CLD 2000 16 Lift "Skalite 2" 1003 1003 - 1,00 1,00 - 1987 2557 571 4CLD 2000 17 Lift "Dautov" 1492 1492 - 1,49 1,49 - 1993 2582 590 4CLD 2000 18 Lift "Kamenishki" 1326 1326 - 1,33 1,33 - 1963 2530 567 4CLD 2000 19 Lift "Salzica" 640 640 - 0,64 0,64 - 2345 2582 237 4CLD 2000 20 Lift "Iliazov" 1121 1121 - 1,12 1,12 - 1702 1864 162 4CLD 2000 21 Lift "Vodica" 2435 1960 475 2,44 1,96 0,48 1277 2062 785 6CLD 3000 22 Lift "Doidevoto" 1827 1827 - 1,83 1,83 - 1345 2058 712 4CLD 2000 ОБЩО: 30246 26392 3854 28,80 24,95 3,85 54000 ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL EFFECTS FROM THE REALISATION OF THE KULINOTO SKI AND GOLF COMPLEX PROJECT

The total amount of the direct and indirect effects from the realisation of the Kulinoto Ski and Golf Complex Project and Tourist and Golf Complex Pirin Golf & Holiday Club Project, amounts to BGN 500 M (€ 256 M). The total effect of the investment reaches nearly BGN 680 M (€ 349 M) *

Million BGN SGCK PGHC Total Ski Golf I phase II phase Initial investment 85 155 80 50 371 Direct and indirect effect 116 208 107 67 499 Total 153 286 147 92 678

* Source: Industry Watch ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL EFFECTS FROM THE REALISATION OF THE KULINOTO SKI AND GOLF COMPLEX PROJECT

Effects on the employment through implementation of the Investment project*

Jobs For the realisation of Annually the whole project

Directly created by the investment 2 500 834 Related to the investment 446 149 Long term 5 500 1 833 Total 8 446 2 816

* Source: Industry Watch Analysis of the Labour market in the region

Several significant problems in the social sector had emerged in the last few decades during the transition period of the Bulgarian economy, related to increased number of the unemployed and the people who depend on social payments, decrease of the income of the local population, etc. *The table below shows the level of the unemployment in the region in %: *Source: Local Labour office

2002 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Razlog municipality 13,14 8,16 6,90 4,97 5,51 11,21 10,58 6,96 5,61 4,43 5,42 7,28 municipality 49,41 33,19 32,94 26,57 25,56 44,58 municipality 47,45 29,79 30,68 28,54 24,32 40,07 Economic situation in the region before building of the Bansko Ski Area Illegal logging and deliberately started forest fires in the region

WHAT HAS BEEN DONE SO FAR

• A Detailed area regulation plan for the territories included in the scope of Ski and Golf Complex Kulinoto, which are part of the territories of Razlog, Kresna and Simitli municipalities has been prepared.

• The Detailed area regulation plan has been approved by the District expert council on area regulation on 28.01.2008.

• On 31.07.2008 a Conclusion for a change in the Management Plan of National Pirin, has been prepared by the Consultative Council to the National park.

• A team from the Central laboratory on General ecology to the Bulgarian academy of science , has prepared a Preliminary report on Evaluation of the Impact on the environment of the Plan for constructing the Ski and Golf Complex Kulinoto. NEXT STEPS

1. A Change in the Management plan of National Park Pirin. 2. A Permit for preparing of an Evaluation on the Impact on the environment. 3. Starting a procedure for conformity with the NATURA 2000 areas. 4. Granting of a Concession for the territory. Ползи за планината и НП “Пирин” при реализирането на Екопроект “Кулиното”

1. Подпомагане на парковата администрация при контрола върху нерегламентираното къмпингуване и туризъм. 2. Регулиране на неконтролирана паша също в координация с ръководството на НП „Пирин”. 3. Решаване на проблема със залесяване с неподходящи растителни видове. При мероприятия по залесяване ще използват само характерни растителни видове за Пирин планина. По проекта се предвижда залесяване и създаване на нови гори. 4. Подобряване на защитата и превенцията от пожари. 5. Ограничаване на рисковите природни явления (лавини, каменопади, срутища, ерозия) и повишаване на сигурността при евентуална тяхната проява. 6. Целенасочена защита на редките и ендемитни видове с цел съхраняване на естествената атрактивност на Пирин планина, чрез точното им маркиране и мониторинг Ползи за планината и НП “Пирин” при реализирането на Екопроект “Кулиното”

7. Координиране и подпомагане на природозащините и природоконсервационните дейности с Дирекцията на НП “Пирин” и неправителствени екологични организации. 8. Иницииране на дейности по рекултивация на терени засегнати от неблагоприятни природни процеси и нерегламентирано човешко въздействие. 9. Инвестиране в мерки по защита и съхранение на биологичното и ландшафтно разнообразие. 10. Подпомагане на научните изследвания и разработки с цел подобряване на проучеността на Пирин планина. 11. Развитие на съвременни модели насочени към оптимизиране на параметрите на природоползването в Пирин планина. 12. Поддържане на актуална база от данни и мониторингова система за биологичното и ландшафтно разнообразие и за въздействието върху околната среда в Пирин планина 13. Координиране на мерки и акциии съвместно с всички заинтересовани страни (МОСВ, Дирекция на НП “Пирин”, РИОСВ, местна власт, ДДС и ДЛ в региона, НПО и др.) за постигане на модел на устойчиво развитие и природоползване в северния дял на Пирин планина. The Ski Resorts in Europe

Ски курортитеComparative analisys в Европа

Сравнителен анализ 1. One of the most popular destinations for winter holidays are the resorts in Austria, Switzerland, France and Italy.

2. The situation for the winter season 2009/2010 is a little bit different – the tourist products in Europe has diversified. The new resorts from Central and Eastern Europe has come up on the scene.

3. It is a bit difficult to compare the different countries and their resorts. Each West European country offers luxury stays, as well as stays for tourists with limited financial means.

The total length of the ski runs in Bulgaria is about 210 km, and most of them are situated in the leading winter resorts such as Bansko, , and Pamorovo. There are ski runs for beginners as well as for experts. The smaller ski areas, such as Kulinoto, , Maliovitsa, Kom, Uzana and , offer normal prices, but they have very few and short ski runs.

Добринище Austria

Austria has long been ranked among world's top winter destinations. The country has more than 330 ski resorts and winter centres. This huge number of resorts offers a big variety of conditions for beginners as well as for advanced skiers. One of Austria resorts biggest enhancements is that the majority of them has succeeded to preserve their authentic Alpine outlook and at the same time they possess a modern infrastructure and facilities. The most famous Austrian winter resorts are:

• For experts: Ischgl, St. Anton, Lech, Mayrhofen • За средно напреднали: Bad Gastein Mayrhofen Lech and Zurs, Obergurgl, St. Christoph am Arlberg • For beginners: Bad GGastein, St. Christoph • Зfor snowboarders: Mayerhofen, St.Anton, Kaprun, Kitzbuhel, Zel am Zee

The resorts with the biggest ski areas are: St.Anton (260 km), Lech(260 km), Hintertux (236 km), Radstadt (with one ski pass you can access up to 860 km of ski runs) Germany

Germany has about 130 ski resorts and winter centers. They offer different kinds of ski runs. And diverse prices. According to the international standards, the German ski areas are often considered as small. Most of them are quite easy to access, which makes them suitable even for a short holiday. The most famous German resorts are: • For experts: Garmisch-Partenkirchen • For intermediate skiers: Inzell • For beginners: Feldberg, Nesselwang • For snowboarders: Garmisch-Partenkirchen The resorts with the biggest ski areas are: Garmisch-Partenkirchen (60 km), Reit im Winkl (50 km), Obersdorf (45 km) Italy

Italy has about 80 ski resorts. The Italian ski resorts are often considered as relevantly accessible possibility for the skiers, who want to ski in the Alps. The ski areas are very well connected with one another , which gives the tourist an access to a great number of ski runs, with only one ski pass. Their infrastructure is not so well developed in comparison with other ski resorts in Western Europe. The most famous Italian ski resorts are: • For expert skiers: Sestriere , Val Gardena • For intermediate skiers: Cortina d’Ampezzo Val Gardena, Madonna di Campiglio, Sestriere • For beginners: Monterosa, Klaviere • For snowboarders: Madonna di Campiglio

The resorts with the biggest ski areas are: Sestriere (400 km), Val Gardena (176 km), Madonna di Campiglio (150 km), Livigno (110 km) France

The French Alps offer a great variety in Europe, but they are not the only suitable area for practicing winter sports in the country. France has more than 200 ski resorts and ski centres. Some of the most prestigious European resorts are in France. This makes the prices relatively high in comparison with the other winter destinations.

The most famous resorts are: • For experts: Les Trois Vallées, Courchevel, Les Аrc, Alpe d‘ Huez, Chamonix • For intermediate : Les Trois Vallées , Courchevel, Paradiski, Alpe d’ Huez • For beginners: De Les Alpes, Les Trois Vallées, Аvoriaz, Paradiski • For snowboarders: Les Trois Valles, Paradiski, Les Ark, De Les Alpes, Valdizer

The resorts with the largest ski areas are : Avoriaz (650 кm), Les Trois Vallées (600 кm), Paradiski (425 кm), Alpe d’ Huez (236 кm), De Les Alpes (220 кm), Les Arc (200 кm) Switzerland

Switzerland has about 160 ski areas. Some of the best European winter resorts including Zermatt, St.Moritz and Davos are based in Switzerland. The presence of so many areas implies a great variety of ski runs and accommodation facilities.

The most famous resorts are: • For experts: Davos, Verbier, Zermatt, Saas -Fe, Еngelberg, Gstaad • For intermediate: Saas-Fe, Quatre valley, Davos, Еngleberg • For beginners: Аrosa, Gstaad • For snowboarders: Davos, Saas-Fе, Saint Моritz, Verbier, Gstaad

The resorts with the largest ski areas are: • Verbier (412 кm), Zermatt (394 кm), Saint Моritz (350 кm), Dаvos (320 кm), Gstaad (250 кm) The ski resorts in Europe

Resort Population Ski runs length Lifts Total equipment throughput per hour Les Trois Vallées 600 кm 183 260 000

Val d‘Isere 1 800 inhab. 135 кm 100 65 000 Chamonix 10 000 inhab. 170 кm 49 52 660 Zalbah 1 863 inhab. 200 кm 60 62 000 Sölden 150 кm 34 66 000 Wengen 1 400 inhab. 112 кm 19 Madonna di 700 inhab. 150 кm 30 31 000 Kampilyo Val Gardena 2 580 inhab. 175 кm 83 103 000 Zermatt 5 800 inhab. 194 кm 62 75 700 Razlog, Bansko, , Yakoruda, 190 000 inhab. 70 кm 14 5 000 Belitsa, Kresna, Simitli Dolomiti super ski 450 km lifts, 1200 km ski runs, 1100 km artificial snow systems human capacity/hour For the 2008/09 season 10 530 956 daily ski passes were sold. The registered beds are 221.313 Settlements in the Dolomites Sesto - 2,000 inhabitants Dobbiaco - 3.274 inhabitants Braies: 634 inhabitants San Candido - 3,150 inhabitants Villabassa - 1.308 inhabitants National parks in the Dolomites On 26th June 2009 the Dolomites are declared a part of the UNESCO World Natural Heritage.

Les Trois Vallées (the three valleys) 183 km lifts 600 km ski runs 1920 snow guns 260,000 skiers/h The area comprises the Courchevel resort as well.

Above the town of Moûtiers (about 4300 inhabitants) Part of the ski area falls within the Vanoise National Park (520 km2)

Wengen, Switzerland Altitude - 1274-2230 m * Total length of the ski runs - 112 кm * Ski runs for beginners - 30% * Ski runs for advanced skiers - 50% * Complex ski runs - 20% * Lift area, serviced by a ski pass - 213 кm * Lifts - 19 * Snowboard areas - 2 * Snowboard park altitude - 1873 m * Cross country skiing route - 17 км

The Jungfrau area was declared a monument of the world natural heritage by UNESCO on 31.12.2001

Its area is 82,388 hа.

Aspen Population 5,914 White River National Forest is a national park in northwest Kolorado. The ski resorts Aspen and Vail are situated in the inner part of the park. The area of the park is 9,250.99 km²

Моnt Blanc ski area (comprises Chamonix)

152 кm ski runs 47 lifts 403 snow guns Sölden

The municipality is at an altitude of 1 368 m. Over two million nights per year and 15 000 beds Area: 466,9 km² Population: 3 978 (1. 04. 2009) Ski runs length: 148 km 33 lifts, capacity 70 000 FLАCHАU Altitude 827 - 2 000 m.

Ski runs length -111 km Lifts - 41 The growing importance of tourism for mankind and its spread in all corners of our planet raise a lot of challenges to modern society. The most important among them is is to achieve a sustainable tourism development at local, regional, national and international level. The aim is to provide tourist practice that meets the interests and increases the prosperity of the local population, while storing natural and socio-cultural resources of the local environment for future generations. The analysis of the Bulgarian tourism shows that in terms of competitiveness, quality and variety of services and established destinations in the international market, Bulgarian tourism is at a medium level compared to developed tourist countries. This necessitates serious and really viable solutions for prospective strategic and sustainable development of Bulgarian tourism. 1 . Correspondence

2. Economic and social effects of the implementation of the investment projects of Pirin Golf and Holidays Club and Kulinoto Ski and Golf Complex , developed by Industry Watch

3. BAS Report 3.1. Volume 1 3.2. Volume 2 3.3. Volume 3 THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION