SMARTOURISM.BG 2025 Awards in Albena: Innovations in Tourism

Special Report from Albena: SMARTOURISM.BG Awards for 2025 Presented

Albena, Bulgaria – In the heart of the vibrant Albena resort complex, within the framework of the VIII International Conference SMARTOURISM.BG, a solemn ceremony was held to present the annual national awards SMARTOURISM.BG. The prestigious event, which brought together leading names from the tourism sector and educational circles, recognized the most significant achievements in the field of innovative tourism. This year, in the elegant setting of the "Flamingo Grand" hotel, nine awards for 2025 and one for 2024 were presented, emphasizing the industry's commitment to sustainable development and technological innovations.

The atmosphere in the hall was solemn. There was great interest in who would be awarded, and representatives of vocational schools and the hotel industry discussed the latest trends in the sector before the start.

The "Overall Contribution for 2024" award went to Prof. Dr. Stoyan Marinov from the University of Economics - Varna. The awarding of this award underlines the importance of the consistent efforts and long-standing contribution of Prof. Marinov to the development of the tourism industry.

In the "Hotel Management Teacher" category, the award went to Dr. Vasilena Krastanova from the Vocational High School of Tourism "Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov" - Varna. The award highlights Dr. Krastanova's use of new technologies and methods, based on research and practice, to enhance the knowledge and skills of students. She also leads an interest club. In the same category, Tsvetina Doycheva, also a teacher at the Vocational High School of Tourism "Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov" - Varna, was also awarded a certificate.

In the "Restaurant Management Teacher" category, the award was won by Georgi Yanev, a teacher from the Vocational High School of Tourism "Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov" - Varna. The award was presented for his contribution to the effective transmission of practical experience and qualification in teaching and preparing students in the field of restaurant management. Yanev's students have won only first places in national competitions in professions in the last year, which testifies to the high standards of his work. And he leads an interest club. In this category, Stanislava Hristova, also a teacher at the Vocational High School of Tourism "Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov" - Varna, received a certificate.

Maria Gramova, director of the Vocational High School of Hotel Management and Tourism "Acad. Nedelcho Nedelchev" – Sliven, received an award in the "Director of a Hotel Management and Restaurant Management School" category. The award is a recognition of Gramova's efforts aimed at introducing new technologies in the educational process in the preparation of future professional staff in tourism.

The Vocational High School of Tourism in Samokov, with director Borislava Hadjiyska, was awarded in the "Hotel Management and Restaurant Management School" category. The award was for the organization and conduct of the National Competition of Professions in Tourism in the Borovets resort complex in April 2025, which was held in accordance with the highest standards and in the spirit of the development of intelligent tourism.

The "Sustainable Tourism" award was presented to "Albena" AD for their integrated approach to the sustainable management of the resort. The company stands out for its work in areas such as energy efficiency, circular economy, local production and biodiversity through constant and systematic transformation.

GRIFFID hotels received an award in the "Educational Innovation" category for their innovative internship program for students from vocational schools in restaurant management and hotel management.

Zlatin Valchev, a teacher from the Vocational High School of Tourism "Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov" – Varna, was awarded in the "Mobile Application" category. His smartphone application for hotel management provides an integrated platform for managing reservations, staff and part of the services in the hotel, designed for hotel managers and management staff of medium and high-category hotels.

The self-study and free training platform INHERIT won an award in the "Digital Tourism Innovation" category.

The Municipal Enterprise "Tourism" to the Municipality of Burgas received an award in the "Accessible Tourist Site" category for its constant and effective efforts towards expanding the accessibility of tourist sites on the territory of the Municipality of Burgas.

Clock Event Management Software+ received an award in the "Integrated Management Systems in Tourism" category. The software offers an integrated solution for optimizing sales, the organization and conduct of events.

This year, within the framework of the awards, the Bulgarian Hotel Association provided opportunities for paid internships and qualification programs in prestigious tourism companies, which underlines the industry's commitment to training and staff development.

The event was held under the patronage of the Ministry of Tourism and with the key partnership of the Ministry of Education and Science. The Bulgarian Hotel Association was a main co-organizer, and "Albena" AD – host.