Minister Ilin Dimitrov Inaugurated The Start of The National 2023 Tourism Professions Competition in Albena resort

MoT to organise 28 regional competitions for young future tourism professionals

The Minister of Tourism Dr. Ilin Dimitrov participated in the official opening of the National 2023 Tourism Professions Competition, which is held in the Albena resort.
Minister Dimitrov stressed that in the spirit of good-natured competition and in the elevated atmosphere of this event many talents can find inspiration, motivation and meet their future employers in the face of business and the professionals who evaluate them. The Minister addressed the participants — students from vocational tourism schools, saying:
‘Today you are not only facing professional challenges, but also building the future of Bulgarian tourism. Allow yourself to dream and achieve your goals by staying in Bulgaria. Because you are tomorrow's face of destination Bulgaria, of the professions that will raise the prestige of our sector and enable its sustainable development.’
The national competition is organized by the Association of Schools of Restaurant and Hotel Management in Bulgaria and the Ministry of Education and Science, with the assistance of Bulgarian Hotel and Restaurant Association (BHRA). The Professional School of Tourism ‘P. К. Yavorov’ in Dobrich is hosting the event.

The Minister of Education and Science Prof. Sasho Penov also sent a welcome message to the participants.  

The largest competition among tourism schools involved 183 students from a record number of vocational tourism schools — 48 in total, nearly 130 teachers, representatives of universities, professional associations and business representatives. The competitions are held in 6 categories of professions in the fields of Hotel Management, Restaurants and Catering and Travel, Tourism and Leisure. Participants will compete for ‘Best Young Chef’, ‘Best Young Waiter’, ‘Best Young Baker-Pastry Chef’, ‘Best Young Hotel Manager’, ‘Best Young Entertainer’ and ‘Best Young Bartender’.  

The minister stressed that in addition to attracting and retaining staff, it is important to focus on the quality of the tourism product. In front of the young competitors and their teachers, Minister Dimitrov also announced that the Ministry of Tourism will organize a total of 28 competitions for young future tourism professionals on a decentralized basis — in each region of Bulgaria, in order to encourage them to stay in their chosen profession.
Minister Dimitrov handed over a diploma with an award — a replica of Bulgarian golden treasure to the organizer and driving force of the national competition — Malinka Marinova, President of the Association of Schools of Restaurant and Hotel Management in Bulgaria. She was awarded by the Ministry of Tourism for imposing a high standard and modernization of the education and qualification systems for personnel in the field of tourism and commitment to the initiative to position and promote Brand Bulgaria.

After the long tiring day, the gala dinner and the most awaited part lies ahead — the ceremony for the announcement of the winners and the awarding of the prizes to the winners in the sections.