With its unique natural setting, traditions in winter tourism, and an increasingly diverse summer product, Chepelare is confidently expanding its tourism horizons. We discuss the municipality’s new vision, investments in infrastructure and sports, the development of year-round tourism, and the ambition to secure an even more prominent place on the tourism map with Boran Hadzhiev, the Mayor of Chepelare Municipality.
– Mr. Hadzhiev, what is your vision for the development of Chepelare as a year-round tourist destination, and what would you like the municipality to be known for in the coming years?
– First of all, thanks to the wonderful opportunities the mountain offers for summer tourism. This year, we hosted several sporting events that showed us we are moving in the right direction. The marathon we organized on August 1st, combined with the "Tuka e Taka Fest," turned out to be a highly successful event that brought together sports and a cultural program. There was a great turnout, immense interest, and a fantastic atmosphere.
We are delighted that things are working out. We have been organizing the "Tuka e Taka Fest" for five years now, and it is evident that we are building upon our success each year. The young people are showing great initiative; they keep up with music trends and provide opportunities for new, young artists to showcase their talents.
We are working to create the best possible conditions that the mountain environment allows. We are also proud of the tourism connectivity project we secured. It entails the construction of 32 gazebos—in three different designs—along the routes to Chepelare, Mechi Chal, and Pamporovo. Some of these are already complete, and as part of the project, we are purchasing 20 electric bicycles to make available to the public free of charge.
In this way, we will offer an additional service enabling mountain visitors to combine their stay in Chepelare with the opportunity to explore the area, experience the excellent facilities we offer, and enjoy our hospitality, diverse cuisine, and favorable climate. I believe this success is due to the effective teamwork within the Municipality.
– What are the most significant investments and completed projects in the sphere of tourism and tourism infrastructure in recent years that have made Chepelare a better and more competitive destination for Bulgarian and foreign tourists today?
– The tourism connectivity project I mentioned will be completed soon. We have also built a multi-purpose sports court and are continuing in this direction. A similar facility will be constructed in the village of Pavelsko to serve the neighboring villages as well.
We are also continuing with infrastructure improvements in the town center—extending the main street to include two additional streets designed in the same style. This will make the center an even more attractive place for strolling and relaxation. Local establishments already offer excellent amenities, as well as a wide variety of food and drinks. It is evident that Chepelare has become a much livelier town.
– Winter tourism remains one of the key drivers of the local economy. What are the plans for developing Chepelare and Pamporovo as a unified tourism zone, and what do you think is needed to make the region even more recognizable and competitive on the international market?
– I am pleased that Pamporovo AD is continuing its investments in the tourism sector. It is excellent news that a project for a snowmaking system on the green slope at Mechi Chal Peak has already been commissioned, as this will significantly enhance the quality of the service. There will be greater and more varied access once all the slopes are operational. Chepelare is a preferred destination for both beginners and advanced skiers. Currently, due to higher temperatures, only the main slope is open. The operation of the green slope will make Chepelare an outstanding location for beginner skiers. It offers a wide range of options for a broader spectrum of tourists, catering to both advanced skiers and beginners alike.
With the installation of a snowmaking system on the green slope, Chepelare will reach a whole new level in terms of its winter tourism service offering.
– What projects and priorities do you wish to implement in the coming years to transform the municipality into an even more attractive place for tourism, investment, and year-round living?
– It is essential to build the Chepelare bypass. We are involved in a process that has been dragging on for quite some time; an agreement regarding this project was actually signed between the Road Infrastructure Agency and the municipality back in 2001.
Given the amount of funding required, I hope the state will assist us, as this is, after all, a project under the Road Infrastructure Agency.
I hope that the construction of the bypass road will give the town a completely new look.
We are talking about investments and infrastructure that make a destination more attractive for tourism.
– Is tourism the heart of Chepelare?
– Yes. The ski factory is the largest employer in the region. Tourism is the heart of the region and brings it the greatest prestige. Alongside the timber industry, tourism is one of the main drivers of the local economy.
In the tourism sector, we are also working on developing sports tourism. We aim to improve our sports facilities. We have a small football field that I hope we can restore next year. Our goal is not only to create good conditions for various sports but also to host numerous competitions. We host events in biathlon, snowboarding, alpine skiing, cross-country running, orienteering, tennis, basketball, and volleyball—offering a wide range of diverse sports.
By providing opportunities for a wide variety of sports, we enable children to engage in the activities they enjoy. Which sport they eventually choose to pursue depends on their individual aptitudes and preferences. However, the crucial thing in the early stages—up to the age of 10 or 12—is to create conditions that allow them to try out and practice as many different sports as possible.
Chepelare’s advantage as a tourist destination lies in its climatic conditions, which are exceptionally well-suited for athletic development. I hope we continue in this direction and further improve our sports infrastructure and facilities. We can offer visitors to the Municipality of Chepelare not only more events but also a more diverse tourism product.
– How are local cuisine and the area's attractions integrated into Chepelare’s tourism product? When you participate in tourism trade fairs—both domestically and abroad—do these two components feature in your presentation?
– Naturally. We are known for our fine cuisine, traditional food, and the hospitality of our restaurateurs. There is a noticeable trend towards improved quality and greater variety.
Many visitors to the city are delighted by what we have to offer and by our traditional dishes. Without good food—combined with all the other elements—we cannot develop our tourism product. Food is one of the main reasons guests come to our city.
We combine this with high-quality hotel facilities. It is evident that hotels in both Pamporovo and Chepelare are continuing to renovate their premises and improve conditions to ensure tourists return. This demonstrates the high quality of their work.
– What else is needed for tourism to develop at a faster pace?
– I would say that the state also owes a debt to the business sector, as the infrastructure is not as well-developed as we would like. However, we are also constrained by natural conditions. In reality, we operate for a maximum of six or seven months. Construction and installation work cannot be carried out during December, January, February, March, and most of April; concrete cannot be poured, and asphalt cannot be laid. That is why things do not move as quickly as we would like.
I hope the state invests in improving the region's infrastructure and transport connectivity. There has long been talk of constructing a third lane on the road from Asenovgrad to Chepelare, and I believe that implementing such a project would facilitate access to Chepelare and the area's tourist attractions.
Improved infrastructure and transport connectivity will make the destination even more accessible and competitive, enabling us to welcome more tourists. I believe that through the joint efforts of local and national authorities, the business community, and the tourism sector, Chepelare will continue to develop successfully as a tourist destination and attract an increasing number of visitors.
