Natura 2000 protest
On January 9, trucks, residents, investors and builders from Bansko and Razlog blocked the road from Simitli to Gotse Delchev in a protest against the introduction of the Natura 2000 ecological network. About 10 000 people from Razlog and 4000 people from Bansko signed a petition against Natura 2000. People protested against the manner in which officials included property in the European ecological network. Natura 2000 caused controversy in Bulgaria as environmentalists demanded as much property as possible to be included in the network, while businesses supported the smallest percentage of land being included. A final list of territories to be included in the network has not been approved yet. The decision is expected by the end of January.

Boutique hotels in Borovets
Octopus Developments will invest 29 million euro in luxury hotels in Borovets, Investor.bg reported on January 9. Octopus Developments is a holding company registered in Bulgaria and owned by British investor Jonathan Thurston. The first project  in the planned Lodge Collection chain has already been opened. Radistina Kouneva, the manager of the new hotel, said that four million euro was invested in it. The 2516 sq m facility describes itself as a boutique hotel that offers small apartments with modern furniture. It does not offer individual rooms. The cost per night is 220 to 260 euro. According to Kouneva, the hotel does not intend to attract only foreign tourists, but also well-off Bulgarians and Sofians who live close to Borovets.

Chepelare grows
More than 400 000 leva was invested in the Chepelare mountain resort in Pamporovo before the start of winter season, a local hospitality union representatives said. Funds were invested mainly in new hotels and ski infrastructure at the Mechi Chal winter sports centre. Two of the tracks will be lit for night skiing. Chepelare can accommodate 1400 tourists in 15 hotels and 73 guest houses, municipal data shows. Nearly 2000 tourists have chosen Pamporovo as the place to spend their winter vacation. Most of them come from the UK.

Bansko days in Sofia
The cultural event Bansko visits Sofia will take place on January 14. On December 9, it was postponed out of respect to the 18 people who died in the horrific road accident near the town of Byala on December 7. The event there will include a Koukeri carnival (a traditional Bulgarian mummery festival). The event will begin at 10.30am in front of the National Palace of Culture (NDK). At 2pm there will be an open stage in front of NDK where singers from Bansko will perform regional songs.  The main part of the event, however, will be the gala concert of the Bulgarian folklore band Pirin Folk. It will take place at 6pm in NDK’s Hall One.