{"id":10556,"date":"2024-07-24T16:56:02","date_gmt":"2024-07-24T13:56:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/travellingbuzz.com\/?p=10556"},"modified":"2024-07-26T18:43:27","modified_gmt":"2024-07-26T15:43:27","slug":"mountains-in-bulgaria-vote-for-the-2024-hut-of-the-year-campaign","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/travellingbuzz.com\/mountains-in-bulgaria-vote-for-the-2024-hut-of-the-year-campaign\/","title":{"rendered":"Mountains in Bulgaria: Vote in the 2024 \u201cHut of the Year\u201d Campaign"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019ve ever hiked the Balkans region, you know how awe-inspiring it can be. There are <\/span>seven major mountain ranges<\/span><\/a> in Bulgaria that are beloved by both locals and tourists alike. From the iconic Stara Planina, home the picturesque Botev peak, to the rugged charm of the <\/span>Pirin<\/span><\/a>, Rila and <\/span>Rhodope Mountains<\/span><\/a>, the region offers unparalleled natural beauty and outdoor adventure.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

From epic winter snowboarding to summer biking adventures and soothing hikes, mountains in Bulgaria have plenty to offer. But with more and more people discovering Bulgaria\u2019s natural beauty, it\u2019s crucial to ensure the mountain huts and shelters that keep explorers safe and comfortable are well-maintained. That\u2019s where campaigns like Bulgaria’s \u201c<\/span>Hut of the Year<\/span><\/a>\u201d come in.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What is \u201cHut of the Year\u201d 2024 Campaign<\/b><\/h2>\n

Organized by the <\/span>Bulgarian Tourist Union (BTS)<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>360mag.bg<\/span><\/a>, with many nominating organizations participating, the \u201cHut of the Year” competition helps to draw attention to the best huts and shelters in Bulgaria and provides grants to the winners. This campaign is all about celebrating and supporting Bulgaria\u2019s network of mountain huts and shelters, with help from some well-known brands, such as <\/span>Subaru<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Siteground<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Voting for \u201cHut of the Year\u201d 2024 started on May 15th, and runs until September 25th, so there is plenty of time to get involved. Head over to the <\/span>\u201cHut of the Year\u201d website<\/span><\/a> to learn more and cast your vote or to sign up as a volunteer to help the huts and shelters in the fall.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Hut<\/p>\n

How \u201cHut of the Year\u201d Helps\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

The competition not only throws a spotlight on the best shelters and huts in each category, but they also award grants to the winners to improve their huts further. The \u201c<\/span>Hut of the Year<\/span><\/a>\u201d Awards started in 2023, and since then the number of grants has doubled, with a total of over BGN 65,000 between the 7 grants.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The best part of this contest is that the public gets to decide on the winners! From February to May, ten organizations with deep knowledge of these mountains and the chalets nominate worthy contenders. Then in May, the voting opens and the public gets to cast their ballots across 8 different categories.<\/span><\/p>\n

In 2023, there was a fantastic turnout, with more than <\/span>25,000 Bulgarians<\/span><\/a> who voted and more than 70 huts and shelters that participated. This year, it is expected to be even bigger since the grant totals have doubled.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Hiking in Bulgaria \u2013\u00a0the picturesque Pirin Mountains<\/p><\/div>\n

Grants for the Huts<\/b><\/h2>\n

A lot of these huts lack basic necessities or are falling apart, which is where the grants come in, offering a lifeline to these crucial mountain shelters. Each grant has a different scope, but the ultimate goal is to solve particular problems related to the huts and shelters. Some are focused on the bare necessities, while others aim to enhance the experience for visitors by providing better conditions. These grants go beyond purchasing the necessary equipment, but they also help to support the implementation of certain activities or programs in the winner\u2019s hut\/shelter.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This year, there are seven grants available and their different uses will be integral to improving these huts and shelters.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n