Between natural endowments and the challenges of sustainable development

In Bulgaria, the necessary conditions for the development of tourism in all its varieties are abundant. And when foreigners appreciate it and admire the picturesque natural endowments in the country, we are happy to hear their warm words. From the corners of the native Black Sea coast still untouched by concrete, through the centuries-old, silent grandeur of Rila and Pirin, to the soft, rounded ridges of the mystical Rhodope Mountains, the Bulgarian lands possesses that magical beauty that makes you fall silent and enjoy it.

A true blessing are the numerous mineral springs scattered throughout Bulgaria, which have healed emperors, great commanders and ordinary people since ancient times. And what about history? It whispers from the finds near Durankulak and Varna, the ancient sanctuaries, the Thracian mounds, the Roman mosaics, the footsteps of Apostle Paul, the monastery founded by St. Athanasius the Great near Chirpan, the flowering of Church Slavonic literature and enlightenment in Pliska and Preslav to the medieval fortresses, which remember ups and downs.

Cape Shabla: The lighthouse, boats and hot spring of the village of Karia

Kamen Bryag and Yailata: where Bulgaria’s romantic sunrises meet the Black Sea

Playing petanque by the sea in Shabla

Green Center in Shabla reveals prehistoric secrets to visitors

On the other hand, in a world marked by climatic anomalies, this land kissed by God gives us coolness and refuge, thanks to its centuries-old forests and some seaside and mountain resorts still untouched by the vanity of "modern" and "comfortable" ideas about tourism. While the South of Europe - Greece, Italy and Spain, suffocate under the 45-degree heat, here the weather remains somehow merciful.

This year in particular, we are enjoying a wonderful summer, cool in the mountains and pleasantly warm on the coast. And when we add to this climatic generosity the opening of the borders in Schengen and the adoption of the euro, there are no longer any obstacles for major international hotel chains to look to Bulgaria and appreciate its potential to be an exciting and beloved destination throughout all 12 months of the year.

But right here, where our hearts are filled with pride for everything we have been given by nature, that pain creeps in because of the way we manage it.

We hastened to "squeeze" the vastness of the Black Sea Coast and the romantic atmosphere of the wild beaches into the embrace of concrete. Overconstruction has become a monument to impatience for quick profits.

Huge photovoltaic parks cover fertile lands and the silhouettes of giant wind turbines cut through the sky above the beautiful once virgin nature of Kaliakra.

While countries like Italy have banned the installation of ground-based solar panels on agricultural land in order to protect their livelihoods and the famous landscapes of Tuscany, in Bulgaria the industrialization of nature continues in full force. And the easiest way is on forest lands and pastures.

Once upon a time, progress in the country was measured by factories, power plants, and industrial development; now all of this is falling apart, but large-scale "green" construction of photovoltaic parks and forests of turbines are successfully erasing nature.

But let's not end with pessimism. The Bulgarian people are aware of all problems and have begun to protect their nature in an organized manner. Bulgaria has everything to be loved. It only remains for us to start loving it ourselves with a little more care and thought about tomorrow.