The promise of tourism and resorts is a commonevent in any new ly evolving country. In the early days of the US the big companies in New York bought as mush land as the could get by hook or crook (legal or illegal. Eventually the US government started purchasing unique or special areas in the late 1800's). The first of many National Parks. Later came the National Forests and Public Lands, all with the primary purpose of preserving the natural beauty of the country for future generations. An impoprtant part of a government of the people, by the people for the people. More recently are the efforts of monied developers and their efforts at creating "tourism" as a source of revenues for local and national governments. That is what I see in Bulgaria today. These efforts are done for one purpose and one purpose only- make the developers and their associates rich. It's a short-term activity with long-term impacts. I can compare the Rila Mountains with my Great Smoky Mountains or the Rocky Mountains in the Western US. The Rocky Mountains of Colorado became a haven for Ski Resorts. Since most of the lands are the property of the federal government, Resorts are limited in number. They do quite well during GOOD SNOW years. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park has a few ski areas outside it's boundary because the weather is marginal for snow and man-made snow is usually necessary for good sking. In both of the areas, there is competion from new resorts-- Park City, Utah, Big Sky, Montana-- which usually end up with a number of operations. Skiing is typically an activity of the monied and wealthy people. They can be fickle, they can make a ski resort "fanastic" and then a few years later it's out of fashion. In Europe there are the famous and established ski areas in Switzerland, Austria, Italy. The Tatra's of Slovakia are relatively new. There is competition and new areas are coming into vogue in Bulgaria. From what I read, it hasn't taken long for Bulgaria's resorts to lose there uniqueness. Save your National Parks for tourism not developers. The beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains brings 10,000,000 visitors EACH year. With the availability of a few ski areas, the surround area has a year round economy with a signifcant level of sustainability. Borovets is a beautiful ski area as it is. The Rila Mountains are beautiful with unique scenery not found elsewhere in the world. My vision is to see the village of Sestrimo as a heritage tourism area,preserving its herding and farming history, the scene of a typical historical Bulgarian village, an entryway to hiking and camping in Rila Mountain National Park. It's a short drive to Borvets in the winter or summer. Activities that provide for a sustainable economy. My services are free-my son and daughter-in-law live there. Jerry Kuhaida Oak Ridge, Tennessee USA Currently Senior Governance Advisor, Provincial Reconstruction Team, Iraq