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What is the percentage of unemployed people in the winter resort of Bansko during the summer and how is the resort dealing with over-construction? Focus news agency interviewed Deputy Bansko Mayor Lazar Zahov.
Q. What is the situation in terms of construction in Bansko?
A. Almost no construction works are taking place in Bansko. Work on several projects stops and is then renewed. We have issued no new construction permits. The volume of construction works decreased significantly. We believe that the financial crisis is the reason but the development is somehow positive and will allow us to catch up with infrastructure development. Infrastructure is our main problem during the active tourism season. So, just a few new projects are being worked on but in terms of infrastructure we are rather active. Unfortunately, Bansko is experiencing problems with investment.
Q. Is Bansko working on European funding projects?
A. Such projects involve sewerage collector construction. Their value is 10.2 million leva. Work worth 2.5 million leva has been executed already. Future efforts involve the positioning of collectors leading to the purifying station.
In terms of town infrastructure, we are working on a project involving improvements in Bansko’s town park. By the end of the month, we will be done with work on the project. Additional projects involve road infrastructure and lights.
Q. How many construction projects do you expect to be halted and what is the employment level in Bansko currently?
A. The number of unemployed people increased. Nearly 20 hotels and apartments closed down for the summer. Golf courses are currently working only on facility maintenance. Usually, over 600 people work there and the number of employed individuals right now is 40 to 50. This is why we are working on the prolongation of the active tourism season. It would be difficult relying only on winter tourism. We should turn Bansko into a green town. We should also work on the sewerage system, especially in the tourism zone.
Q. What is the unemployment percentage in the region?
A. The average unemployment rate in Bansko, Razlog, Iakorouda and Belitsa is 12 percent. If Bansko is experiencing employment problems, all nearby municipalities suffer.
Q. How is the transformation of Bansko into a major ski center affecting the municipality and what amount of tourism taxes is collected from hotels?
A. Bansko municipality should turn into a wealthy municipality. This situation is bringing the municipality revenue and not only from tourism taxes. In 2008, Bansko municipality collected over 250 000 leva from tourism taxes. All of the hotels constructed in the past few years are the subject of taxation. All this is affecting the municipality. Yet, as a result of the crisis many owners refrain from paying taxes. Sooner or later this will happen. I am uncertain how many projects are halted. Once the crisis is over, owners will complete their hotels. There will be no more construction in Bansko. We will have income and high employment level.
Q. What is the situation in terms of construction in Bansko?
A. Almost no construction works are taking place in Bansko. Work on several projects stops and is then renewed. We have issued no new construction permits. The volume of construction works decreased significantly. We believe that the financial crisis is the reason but the development is somehow positive and will allow us to catch up with infrastructure development. Infrastructure is our main problem during the active tourism season. So, just a few new projects are being worked on but in terms of infrastructure we are rather active. Unfortunately, Bansko is experiencing problems with investment.
Q. Is Bansko working on European funding projects?
A. Such projects involve sewerage collector construction. Their value is 10.2 million leva. Work worth 2.5 million leva has been executed already. Future efforts involve the positioning of collectors leading to the purifying station.
In terms of town infrastructure, we are working on a project involving improvements in Bansko’s town park. By the end of the month, we will be done with work on the project. Additional projects involve road infrastructure and lights.
Q. How many construction projects do you expect to be halted and what is the employment level in Bansko currently?
A. The number of unemployed people increased. Nearly 20 hotels and apartments closed down for the summer. Golf courses are currently working only on facility maintenance. Usually, over 600 people work there and the number of employed individuals right now is 40 to 50. This is why we are working on the prolongation of the active tourism season. It would be difficult relying only on winter tourism. We should turn Bansko into a green town. We should also work on the sewerage system, especially in the tourism zone.
Q. What is the unemployment percentage in the region?
A. The average unemployment rate in Bansko, Razlog, Iakorouda and Belitsa is 12 percent. If Bansko is experiencing employment problems, all nearby municipalities suffer.
Q. How is the transformation of Bansko into a major ski center affecting the municipality and what amount of tourism taxes is collected from hotels?
A. Bansko municipality should turn into a wealthy municipality. This situation is bringing the municipality revenue and not only from tourism taxes. In 2008, Bansko municipality collected over 250 000 leva from tourism taxes. All of the hotels constructed in the past few years are the subject of taxation. All this is affecting the municipality. Yet, as a result of the crisis many owners refrain from paying taxes. Sooner or later this will happen. I am uncertain how many projects are halted. Once the crisis is over, owners will complete their hotels. There will be no more construction in Bansko. We will have income and high employment level.
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