Bulgaria boosts tourist attractions

The Bulgarian government has approved a vast series of investments in the countrys tourist attractions.

Some 162 millon leva ( 83.7 million euro ) have been allocated for the projects, with funds due to sites in as many as 35 municipalities.

As cited in The Sofia Echo, Regional Development Minister Rossen Plevneliev described the decision as a significant chance to help boost the economy, as regions will be able to profit "from every stone and every tourist attraction".

Amongst the sites due for investment is the famed Madara Horseman, an 8th century marvel carved into a sheer cliff face in northeastern Bulgaria (listed by UNESCO in 1979).

Also in line for a windfall is the ancient Thracian city of Perperikon. A visitor centre is already being constructed at Perperikon at a cost of 2.4 million euros.

Likewise, the island of St Anastasia, which boasted a monastery of the same name, but was later transformed into a prison by the Soviets.

The signing of individual projects is expected to begin in the first week of July.