After hard work on introducing the principles of sustainable management and thorough document checks and on-site audits, ten new Bulgarian hotels receive the Green Key certificate and reinvent themselves as a supplier of a high-quality sustainable tourism product.
© "Debeli dab" Eco village - Stara Kresna
In addition to the first Bulgarian hotel to receive the Green Key - InterContinental Sofia Hotel, we warmly welcome the following establishments in our global Network:
Boutique complex "Forest Houses" - Godech
"Debeli dab" Eco village - Stara Kresna
Complex "Bozhenski Chiflik" - Sabotkovtsi
"Zlaten Rog" Guest house - Iskrets
"Katarino" SPA Hotel - Razlog
“Orpheus” SPA & Resort- Devin
"The Five Elements" Hotel - Sapareva Banya
"Pirina Club" Hotel - Bansko
"Rudi" Thematic Hotel - Gorno Draglishte
"Topola Skies Resort & Aquapark" Hotel Complex - Topola
All the newly certified accommodation facilities are part of the international "Project ETGG2030” (European Tourism Goes Green), co-financed under the COSME Program of the European Union. They followed their own principles of environmental management, but complying with the strict Green Key criteria, achieved remarkable success and qualitative change.
Boutique complex "Forest Houses" in Godech is located on a picturesque meadow tucked away in the forest. It is built only from local natural materials such as wood and stone and takes special care of the natural habitat and its precious inhabitants.
"Debeli dab" Eco village in Stara Kresna takes immense pride in involving its guests in their mission of environmental preservation. With a range of activities including organised rafting, cycling, hiking and cycling tours, as well as children’s camps, they effectively raise awareness of the significance of biodiversity preservation.
Complex "Bozhenski Chiflik in Sabotkovtsi provides traditional experiences such as crafts, access to locally produced food, and practical lessons to learn about the flora and fauna. Eli from Bozhenski Chiflik says:
“We offer hospitality with a guarantee for real food, pure nature and preserved traditions.”
"Zlaten Rog" Guest house in Iskrets is a 100-year-old house in the Balkan mountain, completely preserved and restored to its original, whose construction serves as a model for architects from around the world. It provides organic farming experience for its guests in a natural garden, where no chemicals are used, and all the wastewater is treated and re-used for watering the plants. Ani, the owner of Zlaten Rog says:
"We are the last generation that can choose what to leave to our heirs. The next generations may not have a choice, it's up to us!"
"Katarino" SPA Hotel – Razlog is surrounded by three mountains and it is the embodiment of the idea of a luxurious spa holiday in nature. The hotel has an impressive program of activities taking their guests outdoors on hiking or riding free tours along mountain tracks to peaks, lakes and landmarks where they can observe different species of birds, butterflies, animals, plants. They offer their guests their homemade produce and drinks of natural origin which are delicious, pure and inspired by nature.
“Orpheus” SPA & Resort’s General Manager, Valentin Kotsakov, points out:
“As a person, I myself have always sought to live in such a way as to be in maximum harmony with the environment. This applies to me, my family, and the establishment I manage. Through our application for the Green Key certificate, we were able to synchronize many of the activities we were already doing anyway. But we also gained new knowledge and skills on how to be even more useful in nature conservation. But most importantly, Green Key gave us the self-discipline and a new focus on our daily activities, from which we received the satisfaction of being worthy inhabitants of our planet Earth.”
"The Five Elements" Hotel- Sapareva Banya is proud to receive the Green Key, because following its requirements they managed to educate their team, who are 99% local people, the philosophy of sustainable development and the reasonable management of waste, and by taking these principles to their families – they succeeded in influencing the whole community. The hotel is located next to the hottest gayser in Europe and using modern technology they can utilize the thermal power of mineral water. The hotel management adopted and took care of a nature trail in the Rila National Park and they are happy to support various noble local causes.
© The Five Elements Hotel
"Pirina Club" Hotel ‘s owner, Deana Hristova, from Bansko says:
“The Green Key certification program is very important to our business, as it has defined our priorities and helped to fill many gaps in our sustainable development plans. We are especially proud that we managed to create a waste recycling system. We separate paper, glass, plastic and metal, used batteries and plastic caps, which we collect especially for the "Caps for the Future" campaign. We are happy that our own sustainable practices are coherent to the Green Key criteria.”
"Rudi" Thematic Hotel - Gorno Draglishte has a motto: Let's move forward by returning to nature! Their mission is to respect, preserve and live in harmony with the environment. All their guests can enjoy cozy atmosphere, home-cooked meals, local traditions and customs. Over a cup of aromatic forest tea with pine elixir, they hold talks about wild mushrooms and herbs. And after the walks on the eco-paths, the experience is unforgettable for everyone who is happy to return. The owner of the hotel Velka Yadkova points out:
"We can move forward only with a clear awareness of the need for preserving the nature around us, through good practices and responsible training of the team, the local population and the guests of our hotel.”
"Topola Skies Resort & Aquapark" Hotel Complex - Topola is famous for its zip-line to the beach through picturesque cliffs and the nature trail, that they have created themselves, with information boards about the indigenous flora and fauna. They are happy to be able to preserve local traditions by supporting folk groups. Every week they organize a Bulgarian evening for their guests with dance and music performances. In this way they manage to show the rich Bulgarian culture to the visitors of the complex.
Finn Bolding Thomsen, Green Key International Director adds:
“We would like to congratulate all the newly certified Bulgarian establishments for their efforts toward a sustainable hospitality industry!”