Bulgaria is building a Balkan hub for tourism personnel

During the International Gourmet Fest 2026 in Varna, the Minister of Tourism Ilin Dimitrov outlined an ambitious vision for the future of the sector. A key element is the creation of an association of higher education institutions to unite educational institutions from Bulgaria and the region.

"Bulgaria must move away from the image of a cheap destination by increasing quality and improving the connection between education and business," said Dimitrov.
  • Education: Exchange of students and lecturers with Balkan universities.
  • Culinary tourism: Support for the "farm-to-table" concept and local products.
  • Rebranding: Prioritizing quality over quantitative advertising.

The Minister emphasized that the identity of Bulgarian cuisine depends on local agriculture and sustainable mechanisms that ensure the uniqueness of our tourism product.