| Real Estate
Boom in Bulgaria’s Ski Resorts |
| By Stelios
Rigopoulos |
| June 2006
Since the return
of democracy to Bulgaria in 1989, one of the most significant developments
has been in the sphere of tourism and, parallel to it, a rapidly growing
interest in realising hitherto unsuspected possibilities for foreign investments
in real estate.
The length
of the Black Sea coastline, well-known in the 1960s and 1970s as the holiday
playground of Bulgarian and the citizens of other Soviet bloc countries,
has undergone a massive transformation into one of the most attractive
talked-about destinations for European tourists, characterised enthusiastically
as a second Costa Brava. |
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How many,
after their first unforgettable vacation, came back, this time looking
to invest in new seaside apartments built off-plan in astoundingly beautiful
new property developments at incredibly low prices. Add to this the accession
of Bulgaria as a full EU member state in 2007, and you understand immediately
that the prospects are unusually attractive.
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The renaissance
in summer tourism on the Black Sea coast is complimented by the discovery
by Winter Sports lovers of the excellent facilities and almost unexploited
possibilities of Bulgarian ski-resorts. |
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| Already prominent
on the European – and even global! -Ski-lovers list are resorts like Bansko,
Borovets and Pamporovo. Sofia, the elegant capital of the Bulgarian Republic,
is minutes away from the densely-forested slopes of Mount Vitosha, the
pride and recreation ground of the local inhabitants. In the last 10 years,
the national capital has been transformed into an international business
centre with a cosmopolitan character.
All this in
turn has created the hugely increased interest of European, and especially
British and Irish, investors in a number of highly attractive new, "off-plan"
Property developments, particularly in these hitherto unknown Bulgarian
resorts, whose potential is just now being truly appreciated.
Bansko, about
160 km south of Sofia and 250km from the Northern Greek metropolis of Thessaloniki,
has been called the Gateway to the Pirin Mountains. |
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| In fact, the
entire region has been designated the Pirin National Park. The pretty and
historic market town of Bansko, a notable centre of regional commerce from
the time of the Bulgarian national revival of the 18th and 19th centuries,
forms the vibrant heart of this new resort with global ambitions.
Now you can
see, side by side, historic monuments and new 5-star hotels, attractive
traditional mehanas and state-of-the-art property developments. Vacationers
will be impressed by the variety of clubs and pubs and places of entertainment
for all tastes.
Bansko, furthermore,
is a major venue, in the strong Bulgarian bid for the Winter Olympic Games
in 2014, together with the capital Sofia and the other two leading Bulgarian
ski-resorts, Borovets (the oldest winter resort, founded by Bulgarian
Tsar Ferdinand in 1896, closer to Sofia, near Samokov, to the north of
the Rila mountains) and Pamporovo, a modern purpose-built ski-resort
in the Western Rhodope mountain range, which Bulgarians are getting
everything ready for a unique Sports experience, which will impress the
World Skiing community with the high standards of sports and tourist installations. |
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| The conditions
for Skiing are among the best in the Balkans. 17 ski-tracks with a total
length of 65km cater for skiers and snowboarders of every level of achievement,
from basic beginners to the very advanced, with the most exigent Alpine
criteria.
The Gondola
ski-lift terminal is opposite the 5-star Kempinski Hotel.
By 2006, to
cater for the increasingly high expectations of winter-sports lovers, more
than 6000 apartments are being built in new constructions of the highest
standards. Each of the developments has its own characteristic name, indicative
of the way local Bulgarian architectural tradition is married with modern
developments, where attention has been given to detail.Beyond any doubt,
the special attraction of these properties in Bansko is the incredibly
low cost, matched by equally incredibly high quality. |
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| In addition,
Bansko has an excellent 18-hole Golf Course and the route infra-structure
in the area has been significantly up-graded to enhance access to the other
tourist attractions of the surrounding region.
Discussions
are underway at Government level for the construction of an airport, capable
of accommodating international flights.
Pamporovo opens
up like an Alpine resort, along the scenic valley route from Plovdiv, Bulgaria’s
second city, to Smolyan and the newly-opened border point with Northern
Greece. In the shadow of Mount Snezhanka (1926 metres), it is Europe’s
southernmost ski-resort, with sunshine for at least three quarters of the
year, but also equitable temperatures, guaranteeing ideal skiing conditions
for the duration of the season from December to April. Created around three
main skiing areas, with 25 recognised slopes, Pamporovo is the perfect
choice for the winter sports enthusiast, whatever may be his or her degree
of proficiency. There are experienced instructors to guide learners and
children.
This purpose-built
mountain resort is breathtakingly attractive, with its harmonious blend
of thick virgin forest, all-year snow-covered slopes and a particularly
successful adaptation of the traditional Rhodopes architectural style to
the modern conception of self-contained Property Developments. Such is
“Orpheus
Valley”, inspired by the architecture of Bulgarian mediaeval monasteries,
and yet with state of the art functionality and luxury facilities, guaranteed
to ensure the total well-being of the future investor-resident. Agents
are on hand to smooth out whatever small problem might arise. During the
summer season, Pamporovo becomes the ideal base for mountain-walking and
environmental tourism. It’s a year-round centre for healthy, energetic
relaxation.
Several brand
new 5-star hotels assure the essential ambience for socialising, quality
entertainment and excellent night-life, but also provide gym, swimming
and sauna facilities. In addition, there are a wide variety of well-stocked
shops and restaurants, each with their own particular variant of attractive
décor and local traditional cuisine, as well as Irish pubs and bars,
with their warm, convivial atmosphere. Pamporovo is uniquely designed to
give everyone a chance of experiencing class and quality, at truly affordable
prices. |
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