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Abandoned two years ago

The control over the management of the ski centres really plays a key role in their development. Even in the case of Kaimakchalan, the ownership of which has always been clear (it is owned by the company for state property), the period 2011-2013 was catastrophic. It turned out that the contractor, Giorgos Paraschos & Co. Ltd. (which was in charge of the management of the ski resort on the basis of a two-year contract), was totally unsuitable. On 26 July last year when the company for state property took over the ski centre, which did not have any of the necessary permits, it found ski lifts that had not been maintained, inspection documents that had not been updated, destroyed hydraulic equipment and "frozen" heating systems.

The safe and legal operation of the ski resort, which was closed last February because of power supply suspension (due to unpaid bills amounting to 45,000 euro), was the first concern of the company for state property. It took 468,000 euro to repair the damage and put the ski centre back into operation in December. After the repairs were completed and the equipment checked, the difficulties related to obtaining all necessary permits started. It is significant that the seven rooms of the chalet, which are situated above the main restaurant, were not open due to the lack of a fire safety certificate.

The next task was the daily functioning and advertising of Kaimakchalan to gradually restore its former glory. Finally, the company contacted the schools in the area to organize trips, at a symbolic price, in order for students to explore the mountain.

According to the official data of the company for state property, which will manage the ski centre for a period of two years, the number of tickets sold reached 12,654 up to 2 February and the revenues 148,324 euro. Moreover, these figures do not include the visitors who do not ski but just visit the resort and use the lifts.

Meanwhile, during the two year period in which the ski resort was not working at full speed, the agency and the tourist activities in Agios Athanasios (having 2,000 beds) declined.

According to local estate agent Thassos Psichoios, one could meet more saleswomen and landladies at the traditional tavernas of the village and property prices had fallen by 40%.

In 2012, not even 50% of beds were booked. To the contrary, this year, when the ski resort is trusted and operating at full capacity, bookings have increased by 100% and there is even a small wave of tourists from Macedonia. Undoubtedly, the ski centre and Agios Athanasios are like communicating vessels," states Deputy Mayor for Tourism of Edessa Christos Verikoukis.

As is clear from discussions with the financial managers of both ski resorts, their own revenues comprise 65% to 70% of their budgets. In order to become more attractive and to attract tourists, contributing towards the development of the region, they should get rid of the makeshift huts with opaque commercial contracts and build their own facilities, which will have a stable management.

The experience of the neighbours

Since 2003, using as a basis the exemplary Bansko ski resort, Bulgarians have turned an unknown mountain town into an affordable tourist centre. For example, from Thessaloniki, which is only 210 km away from it, a three-day half board package at a four-star hotel costs 120 euro. "Bansko is a well organized tourist ski resort with an ice rink, spa, nightlife, and it has the capacity to offer five-day vacation packages. The ski centre greatly increases the flow of tourists as worldwide competitions take place there, popular sports representatives are invited and the resort constantly organizes various events, such as the game in which one had to search for the lost treasure during this year's season opening. If the airport in Gotse Delchev were built (40 km away from the ski resort), it would be very hard for us to compete with them," explains Argyris Vlachopoulos, owner of Discovery Travel in Kavala, who has an office in Sofia too.

"If our neighbours have been able to implement such a well-organized pattern of tourism development, why couldn’t we do the same?" Greek journalists are wondering.