I still LOVE it with a passion and have done for 17 seasons!!!!
If you are like me and love the place and more importantly the people who have been there from the start 30+ years ago you would see the frustration out there. Unlike many who say they will not return unless things change I going on Saturday after planning for a year. Since my first visit 17 years ago I have brought over 500 people there. Its not DOOM and GLOOM just reality.
You have served those going to ...
Pete
I still LOVE it with a passion and have done for 17 seasons!!!!
If you are like me and love the place and more importantly the people who have been there from the start 30+ years ago you would see the frustration out there. Unlike many who say they will not return unless things change I going on Saturday after planning for a year. Since my first visit 17 years ago I have brought over 500 people there. Its not DOOM and GLOOM just reality.
You have served those going to Pamporovo well and I respect you for that. But, just by calling yourself Pamporovo Pete doesn't give you a monopoly on loving the place or deciding what can be listened to and what should be dismissed.
No you didn't!! You don't kick friends' behinds. The only people who need their arses kicked are those who are biting of their noses to spite their faces in the resort and those who look down their noses at you when you tell them your going skiing in Bulgaria.
Hi all,
There was a mention of Bulgarian hospitality earlier here and how can it come back?
That was a very important point in all of this "What can we change about Pamporovo", but also Bulgaria.
The Bulgarians are famous for their wonderful hospitality and that combined with great prices was the main attraction for the tourists in the past. No need to mention the beauty of the countryside I would think.
The famous hospitality is getting a real bashing at the moment being spoilt by a ...
Hi all,
There was a mention of Bulgarian hospitality earlier here and how can it come back?
That was a very important point in all of this "What can we change about Pamporovo", but also Bulgaria.
The Bulgarians are famous for their wonderful hospitality and that combined with great prices was the main attraction for the tourists in the past. No need to mention the beauty of the countryside I would think.
The famous hospitality is getting a real bashing at the moment being spoilt by a lot things. One of them are bigger hotels that aren't keeping to the standards that Bulgarian food is especially so well known for.
That all comes down to the fundamental crisis in the management I would say, which is so greatly reflected in so many areas (not only hotel food and other services) of the whole tourism industry and beyond.
It seems that there isn't much pride in the management positions around the country. A pride that you should have in your work. Things you could change by making a real effort at the position you have achieved. What difference you could make. Help to make this lovely country, full of lovely and open hearted people, a great place to visit for many more generations to come.
Not only think of what you can get out of your position for yourself at the very moment. Which is the case in Pamporovo and has been for many years, but not only there.
It will take long time to pick up the pieces, but we can do that. The main thing is that things need to change for the better.
I have a great believe that people like Galina can make a difference. She is one of people I mentioned in "Pamps report" earlier, the sort that need to stand up and say "We have to change things, this cannot go on!"
Big things start with small things.
Small people can make big differences and big changes.
However it's always helps if there are big names and big companies behind the cause.
After all, these big companies will benefit greatly from making things work properly.
I will personaly make every effort to make a difference in Bulgaria and support people like Gakina.
I am one of the small people too, but I have really big mouth and a great belief and a lot of enthusiasm.
I would urge anyone and everyone who wants this beautiful country, which my family and I chose to live in, to stay beautiful and to prosper for the distant future, to stand up and scream from the top of your lungs "WE NEED TO MAKE THINGS RIGHT AND DO THINGS RIGHT"
Please believe that it can be done and it will be done.
And if any of the people, who are not doing things the right and honest way and do their own bit to damage the reputation of this country, are reading this, please think again if you can go on and make a sustainable income in the future doing what you are doing.
Start doing business honestly and it will pay you back in many ways. Our visitors will come back and new ones will start coming and fall in love with this country.
We love and care about Pamporovo. I have been told of the UK press getting wind of how things are, so Bulgaria might be in for a bit of bad press I'm afraid. Perhaps that isn't a bad thing though as it might make a difference for the better.
Bulgaria's desire to join the EU hasn't a chance with the corruption and monopolies in place so that's a second front on which investigations may be taking place.
Thirdly there is no point ...
Pavel you have spoken from the heart yet again.
We love and care about Pamporovo. I have been told of the UK press getting wind of how things are, so Bulgaria might be in for a bit of bad press I'm afraid. Perhaps that isn't a bad thing though as it might make a difference for the better.
Bulgaria's desire to join the EU hasn't a chance with the corruption and monopolies in place so that's a second front on which investigations may be taking place.
Thirdly there is no point in people like me making videos to promote Bulgaria and companies like Balkantours busting a gut to get people there if things aren't good.
Three things attracted people to Pamporovo.
It was perceived as cheap
Ski Instruction was excellent
The atmosphere and hospitality/welcome was first class
This has to return if tour operators are not going to lose customers.
Bulgaria is a beautiful place and the Bulgarians are a fantastic people.
Point taken. My point there was wrongly worded. I meant that EU directives will not let the current situation continue. I have little doubt that the corruption and monopolies will soon be under investigation.
If we where all honest, Skiers from the UK would prefer to go to the better resorts in Europe (or USA/Canada if you had two weeks).
To be fare, Bulgaria is heavily marketed in the UK as the cheaper/budget option ski trip!
This, however, does not seem to be the case once you get to your resort in Bulgaria! Food, drink and apre ski costs are now on par with the 'costlier' French, Austrian and Italian resorts.
Regardless of how things are marketed, the bottom line is that the skiing ...
If we where all honest, Skiers from the UK would prefer to go to the better resorts in Europe (or USA/Canada if you had two weeks).
To be fare, Bulgaria is heavily marketed in the UK as the cheaper/budget option ski trip!
This, however, does not seem to be the case once you get to your resort in Bulgaria! Food, drink and apre ski costs are now on par with the 'costlier' French, Austrian and Italian resorts.
Regardless of how things are marketed, the bottom line is that the skiing in Bulgaria and the infrastructure that goes with it are not on par with the European resorts.
The ski terrain in Bulgaria is far less than you find in Europe yet the management of it and the equipment to do it seems to be limited.
The internet is a powerful tool. Word of mouth is a powerful tool. I would therefore suggest that the clear messages from all those who posted here are actioned by those in power or you will find that our custom will be taken elsewhere.
Our £ will be spent elsewhere unless you start to do something immediately about the overpricing for food and drink. Our £ will e spent elsewhere unless drastic improvements are made to the piste system and how it is managed. Our pound will be spent elsewhere unless the customer care issue is addressed.
Travel Agents in the UK also work on reputation! I have personally been advised by one well known travel agent not to ski in Bulgaria due to all of the above. If Crystal, Inghams and Neilson take the same line, (which they will do eventually) then skiing in Bulgaria will become a dying industry.
Surely (skiing) Bulgaria has been aware of these problems before now?
If we only had the one choice to ski then you may be onto a winner but Brits will only take so much.
Perhaps we are being used as the pound/Euro is pathetic and the pound/US Can Dollar is no better. If you take advantage now then it will bite you on the arse.
To all those who have a vested interest in the ski industry in Bulgaria - if this continues then your hotels, ...
See the post 'would you pre -book pamps'.
Surely (skiing) Bulgaria has been aware of these problems before now?
If we only had the one choice to ski then you may be onto a winner but Brits will only take so much.
Perhaps we are being used as the pound/Euro is pathetic and the pound/US Can Dollar is no better. If you take advantage now then it will bite you on the arse.
To all those who have a vested interest in the ski industry in Bulgaria - if this continues then your hotels, bars, restaurants, taxis, shops, ski hire, ski instructors, will become unemployed. Simple as that!