A new Association of Universities Offering Tourism Programmes was established in Varna on Sunday, World Tourism Day, with the support of 17 university rectors.
The association will initially operate at national level, bringing together universities seeking to improve tourism education and contribute to the development of the sector, Tourism Minister Ilin Dimitrov said at the founding event.
Plans envisage universities from other Balkan countries joining the association in 2027, followed by institutions from elsewhere in Europe. The longer-term ambition is to develop it into a global organization by the end of 2029, Dimitrov said, adding that support would be sought from the UN Tourism organization.
The association will facilitate the transfer of knowledge, the introduction of new approaches in tourism and the creation of academic and professional networks, with an emphasis on improving the quality of Bulgaria’s tourism product. Its headquarters will be in Varna.
A National Tourism Research Observatory will also be established within the association to collect and analyse data about the sector.
Dimitrov said the observatory was intended to provide an evidence-based picture of Bulgarian tourism and allow developments in the sector to be tracked over time. Periodic reports will examine destinations rather than individual tourism establishments, while municipalities will also be able to obtain information about visitor satisfaction and areas requiring improvement.
Plans also envisage introducing QR codes at establishments subject to tourism categorization, allowing visitors to provide feedback. The observatory could additionally use information from payment systems and data from the National Revenue Agency and the National Social Security Institute.
Dimitrov said the observatory’s first report would provide a comprehensive assessment of the state of Bulgarian tourism, with subsequent reports making it possible to track changes in the sector.
Speaking about the country’s broader tourism positioning, the Minister said Bulgaria should no longer be presented as a cheap destination but as one offering strong value for money.
Association of Universities Offering Tourism Programmes Established in Varna THE NEWS FROM BULGARIA – NEWS AGENCY 2009-2025 2026-09-27 09:28:00
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