Deputy minister Georgieva: Bulgaria’s competitiveness in tourism is directly related to its highly qualified personnel

Bulgaria’s competitiveness on the tourist market and its establishment as all year-round destination are invariably related to the quality of the services we offer. The services received by the end-user can add extra value to the Bulgaria brand. This was stated by the deputy minister of tourism Irena Georgieva at a working meeting on the issues of education in tourism, initiated by the vice prime minister and minister of education and science Meglena Kuneva, who also took part in the discussion.

“The Ministry of Tourism is in ongoing dialogue with the tourism industry and at the regular meetings with representatives of this sector one of the most discussed topics is the sustainable procurement of sufficient and highly qualified professional personnel. Our goal is to provide professional services in tourism, which meet international standards“, deputy minister Georgieva said. Based on World Travel and Tourism Council data, in 2015 the number of directly employed in this sector in Bulgaria is little over 92 thousand, or 10% less than in 2014. Also in the last year, the total number of jobs directly or indirectly related to tourism is about 340 thousand, down by 6.5% compared with 2014.

“One of the major problems is the lack of guaranteed, all year-round employment of professionals in the sector“, deputy minister Georgieva added. She emphasized that the ministry was working actively with all stakeholders and experts of the Ministry of Education and Science and the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy to find a long-term solution. In pursuance of this policy, a Council on the Problems with Personnel in Tourism was set up at the initiative of the minister of tourism Nikolina Angelkova, recalled Irena Georgieva. The Council includes representative of other ministries, higher schools and high occupational schools, experts and representative of the tourism industry. The Council will seek efficient common opinions and solutions and the Ministry of Tourism is ready to table relevant legislative amendments, where necessary.

In addition, deputy minister Georgieva emphasized the importance of internships and practice in tourism. In this regard good international practices of Germany, Switzerland and other countries with experience in dual education are being studied. The system relies on recruiting personnel from occupational high schools that will practice and specialize in accordance with their curriculum.

Present at the meeting were also 30 representatives of the tourism industry who expressed their readiness to work for improving the practical training of young personnel in tourism and for enhancing the image of the professions in the sector.