Bulgarian tourism sector will suffer huge losses if proceed to suspension of concession contract in Bansko: Tourism Minister

03/08/16 06:36
(http://www.klassa.bg/)

Bulgarian tourism sector will suffer huge losses if proceed to suspension of concession contract in Bansko: Tourism Minister

“Tourism sector would sustain huge loses if proceed to suspension of concession contract in Bansko.” That is what Minister of Tourism Nikolina Angelkova said during a meeting at the Ministry of Environment and Water about the development of Bankso resort, a reporter of FOCUS News Agency announced.
According to the Minister, winter tourism is very important for the economy of the country in general.
“Taking into account the potential we [the country] have, it is important to find a consensus on the matter today. Tourism is now forming more than 14% of GDP for the country,” Minister Anglekova said.
In her words, possible losses must include indirect and those losses related to the country's prestige not only as a tourist destination, but also that could harm its economic stability in general.
“Bansko resort is ranked first for competitiveness across Europe. It is difficult to achieve, if there aren’t consistent efforts. Ad that the resort itself makes over the years contributes the country to be recognised as a winter tourist destination. According to the European Travel Commission, Bulgaria is on the sixth place as a preferred destination,” Minister Angelkova said.
She hoped the concession contract to be amended.
“Thus we can build on what has been achieved so far in terms of image for the country and not ruining what was created so far, where over 37% are directly employed in the sector, not to mention accompanying industries. It can be formed much larger percentage. The entire population of this region makes a living from tourism, from winter tourism as a whole. I hope reason will prevail today,” Minister Nikolina Angelkova stated.
The Minister noted further that there were 32 ski runs and 110 ski lifts and cable cars in Bulgaria.
“Which is one kilometre ski run on a territory of 560 kilometres, while in Austria the ratio is 1 km ski run to 100 km area. I really hope reason will prevail and to build on what we already have, not to destroy it,” Nikolina Angelkova said.
“The concessionaire of the Bansko ski area said they would take legal action in case of termination of contract which in itself will prevent development of any activity in Bansko resort for at least five years,” Minister of Tourism Nikolina Angelkova said after the meeting.
“It is very important that Minister Vassileva, and all fellow ministers, and representatives of institutions united around the idea for reason to prevail and to amend the concession contract so that to protect the public interest at the maximum,” Minister Angelkova stated.
According to her, possible termination of the concession would not result only in direct financial losses related to breach of contract agreements, but in many indirect damages to tourism.
“Bansko is one of our main winter resorts. Bulgaria is recognizable winter tourist destination thanks to Bansko, Pamporovo and Borovets resorts. Bansko winter resort is ranked first in the latest ranking of the most competitive resorts in Europe, with its best the ratio of price and quality,” the Minister said further.
“We are ready to develop a cadastral map of the ski area in Bansko resort”. That is what Minister of Environment and Water Ivelina Vasileva said during the meeting at the Ministry for Environment and Water.
“It is apparent to everyone that there are shortcomings and inaccuracies. What we want to ask is to look forward and look at possible solutions. All national responsible people should be aware of the risks relating to launching termination of the concession contract. They mean huge losses for the state and indirect damages. We can go towards clearing the ambiguities and setting of clear, principled texts and clauses safeguarding the national interest and to ensure adequate and proper calculation of the due concession fee. I appeal to reasonable and responsible attitude, because the issues we discuss are very serious,” she said.
“The national parks should not be built,” Lyubomir Kostadinov with the WWF – Bulgaria, said during the meeting for the development of Bansko resort .
“We didn’t receive the agenda for today’s meeting and due to some interpretations which were recently circulating in the public space, we decided to prepare a presentation on all documents, not to be ungrounded,” he said.
Kostadinov noted that this case is about a National Park. In his words, according to the Ministry of Environment and Water national parks could be built.
“There is dispute on this issue, but we want to clearly hear your opinion,” Lyubomir Kostadinov said.
Toma Belev from the Association of Parks in Bulgaria noted that the owner of the concessionaire company did not attend the meeting.
“Apparently he thinks he stands little over ministers and MPs,” he said.
“The Interdepartmental Working Group proposes to change the subject and the object, the obligations of the concessionaire. My question is do we really have a concession contract signed in 2001, if at present it is not clear what and under what conditions the object was given to a concession?,” Toma Belev asked.
He called for more transparency and added that if there was a problem, it could be cleared under the contract and the law.
“There are no grounds for termination of the concession contract of Ski Area – Bansko” . That is what Peter Petrov, a member of the board of directors of Ulen AD - the concessionaire company of Bansko ski area, said during the meeting in the Ministry of Environment and Water.
“We have a successful concession. This concession has a high performance,” he said.
Peter Petrov specified that the ski area has not been built under any of the EU programmes, neither with the use of European funds.
“It is natural to be attacked. As the saying goes - no one shakes down fruitless trees. There are no grounds for termination of the concession contract. If the state takes such actions they will naturally followed by our actions in court,” he said.
According to him, such actions by the state implies for return of their entire investment.
“The sleep of reason produces monsters. That’s what Francisco Goya said,” Petar Petrov added.
Petar Petrov speech was interrupted repeatedly by environmentalists. As host of the meeting, Minister Ivelina Vasileva asked them not to interrupt their interlocutor.

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Публикувана на 03/08/16 06:36 http://www.klassa.bg/News/Read/article/265159_Bulgarian+tourism+sector+will+suffer+huge+losses+if+proceed+to+suspension+of+concession+contract+in+Bansko%3A+Tourism+Minister