Tourism is a top priority for the Government and the Presidency and we will continue to develop it in all its forms, President Rosen Plevneliev said when he officially opened the latest round of World Cup skiing - alpine skiing, for women - Downhill and Super G, which Bansko is hosting on Saturday and Sunday.

During these days, Bansko has the most tourists, the most television stations, the most stars, the President said. Four million people from around the world are with us, to discover and to prove that Bulgaria is again the World Ski Pass, that Bulgaria is a proven destination for skiing, and is a leader in the region and one of the best in Europe.

"This, of course, is achieved not only when we have good investors, but also when we have good managers. Because Bansko is a symbol of the words of praise that we heard last week about the organisation of the World Ski Cup competition - well organized, perfect in every respect. That was in the past, with the competition for men, and it will be so tomorrow, and the day after tomorrow, I am certain,” President Plevneliev said.

This is the bar, that you have lifted, to carry on in Bulgaria, and in other resorts, the President said.

He said that the only solution to the fact that, regrettably, Bulgaria was at the bottom of the rankings as the record-holder for heart attacks and a poor health care system, was in the clean air, skiing and all that the high mountain slopes had to offer. Only then we will have healthy and smiling people who really live in harmony with this beautiful nature of ours, the President said. And I know that we must continue to support efforts to develop Bulgaria as a ski destination, and this can be done only in sync with the rules and with nature.

And allow me to wish good luck tomorrow to the all contestants, that it will be a wonderful event, of which we surely can be proud, the President told those in the square.

Minister of Physical Education and Sports Svilen Neykov welcomed the participants, guests and spectators to the wonderful star-studded sporting event that Bansko is hosting for a second week.

The President of the Bulgarian Ski Federation, Tseko Minev, wished good luck to all competitors. You are truly a city and a resort that does much for world skiing, he said.

Our city in recent days was the true face of advertising of Bulgaria, Bansko Mayor Georgi Ikonomov said. This, he said, was thanks to the many people and all the residents who for years had worked hard to make it happen.