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Sheikha Al Nuaish, Secretary-General of the UN World Tourism Organization: “We will partner with Bulgaria in the fields of education and investment”Minister of Tourism Dr. Ilin Dimitrov held a meeting with the Secretary-General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization, Sheikha Al Nuaish, during the 126th session of the Executive Council, which took place in Toledo, Spain.The forum brought together representatives of member states, international experts, and the leadership of UN Tourism.As a member of the Executive Council of the organization, which comprises 161 member states, Bulgaria actively participates in decision-making that shapes the development of global tourism.During the meeting, joint projects of priority for our country were discussed, such as the establishment of an Observatory for Measuring Quality in Tourism with the assistance of UN Tourism.At the invitation of Ilin Dimitrov, Shaikha Al Nowais will visit Bulgaria this year in connection with a joint event supported by the global organization, and in 2027 we will organize an Investment Forum with the participation of the largest companies in the tourism industry.Minister Dimitrov also discussed with the Secretary-General of UN Tourism the cooperation on the creation of an association of higher education institutions that train professionals in the tourism sector. The initiative will include other Balkan countries within a single centre to be based in Bulgaria.  The Bulgarian ambassador to Spain, Todor Stoyanov, also attended the meeting in Toledo. Shaikha Al Nowais is a prominent leader from the United Arab Emirates and the first woman to serve as Secretary-General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization, bringing a new vision for its development.During the meetings of the UNWTO Executive Council, emphasis was placed on the sustainable development of destinations, the digital transformation of the tourism industry, investments in the sector, innovation, and opportunities for better connectivity between countries.Bulgaria’s participation in this international forum is crucial for promoting the country as a competitive tourist destination and for presenting its national priorities in the field of tourism.

To mark International Children’s Day on June 1, the Ministry of Tourism organized the “Minister for a Day” initiative, opening its doors to students from vocational high schools specializing in tourism across the country. Five students from the Vocational High School of Tourism in Ruse and the Vocational High School of Tourism in Yambol, along with their principals and teachers, had the opportunity to gain firsthand insight into the work of the ministry and the processes involved in managing the tourism sector in Bulgaria.During their visit, the students met with the Minister of Tourism, Dr. Ilin Dimitrov, and the Deputy Ministers, Prof. Mariela Modeva and Georgi Todorov. They learned about the activities of the various directorates, gained insight into policy-making in the sector, and asked questions related to tourism development and their future careers.The highlight of the event was the official ceremony for presenting the “Minister for a Day” certificates of honour. Lucia Astardzhieva and Irena Mincheva from “Ivan P. Pavlov” Vocational High School of Tourism in Ruse, as well as Raina Ivanova, Magdalena Tsvetkova, and Dalia Ivanova from the Vocational High School of Tourism in Yambol, received their awards.The principals of the two vocational high schools, Reneta Vuleva and Tsvetanka Nikolova, were also honored for their contribution to training future professionals for the tourism sector.“We want to make this event a tradition and invite students from different cities across the country every year on 1 June. The connection between education, young people, and the tourism sector is extremely important,” the Minister of Tourism Dr. Ilin Dimitrov said.

During a working visit to Brussels, Minister of Tourism Dr. Ilin Dimitrov held talks with European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism Apostolos Tzitzikostas and participated in an official meeting, organized by the European Commission in connection with discussions on future European tourism policy and the EU’s new multiannual financial framework.Minister Dimitrov presented Bulgaria’s priorities in the areas of tourism, education, and the sustainable development of the sector. The discussion focused on the need for stronger European support for transport connectivity, the development of innovation, the training of qualified personnel, and the strengthening of the link between education and the tourism industry.The minister presented two official invitations to Commissioner Tzitzikostas.The first is an invitation to participate in the official launch of an association of higher education institutions offering tourism programmes in Bulgaria. The initiative aims to position our country as a Balkan and European center/hub for training tourism professionals, with a focus on innovation, scientific exchange, and the development of future leaders in the sector.The second invitation concerns the organization of a high-level forum on “Mega Events and Tourism” during the Eurovision 2027 contest.Apostolos Tzitzikostas congratulated Bulgaria on its success with Eurovision and welcomed our country’s active role in the European debate on the future of tourism.During the meeting, the desire for Bulgaria’s enhanced participation in the development of new European policies and financial instruments in support of tourism was reaffirmed.Photo credit © European Union 2026

Issues with visas, connectivity, and staffing will be addressed in collaboration with the sectorMinister of Tourism Dr. Ilin Dimitrov announced the creation of a Council for Tourism Reforms, which will bring together the state, municipalities, the tourism industry, and the institutions on which the development of the tourism sector depends. He made this statement during meetings in Varna and the Golden Sands resort with representatives of local authorities, regulatory bodies, the airport operator, hoteliers, restaurateurs, and tour operators. Also participating in the discussions were Mario Smarkov, the regional governor of Varna, and Abil Abil, the deputy regional governor of Dobrich. Smarkov pointed out that there are ways to effectively counteract activities that threaten the environment, and that the institutions are ready to work in a coordinated manner to ensure the season proceeds smoothly. According to the Minister, tourism is a cross-cutting sector linked to the work of more than 11 ministries, which is why the role of the Ministry of Tourism must be not only administrative but also coordinating. “The Reform Council will not be a new layer of bureaucracy. It should be the place where problems are openly discussed and solutions are sought together with the business community and institutions. Our task is to serve as a mediator and driving force behind these changes,” Dr. Dimitrov stated.The Minister said that the new team is taking over a ministry with reduced administrative capacity, limited resources, and delayed procedures, and that the visa issue is part of this difficult legacy and remains one of the main obstacles to attracting tourists from key markets, including Turkey. Minister Dimitrov stated that a meeting at the deputy minister level will be held to determine where the breakdown in communication between the various institutions occurs and how the process can be accelerated. “The visa issues are not new and cannot be resolved with a single letter. We need to identify exactly where the system breaks down and create a working mechanism. If necessary, the Ministry of Tourism will seek ways to facilitate the secondment of additional staff where needed,” he noted.At the meeting with industry representatives in Golden Sands, topics such as connectivity, charter programs, and the risk of a decline in the German market following the bankruptcy of “Electra” were also discussed. Business representatives raised the issue of the need for a fund and a sustainable mechanism to support flights, so that Bulgaria does not lose capacity in key markets and can plan for the 2027 season earlier. Minister Dimitrov stated that he had already invited representatives of the four airports, as well as mayors and deputy mayors, to Sofia to seek a common approach between the state, local authorities, and the business community.During the discussions, the Northern Black Sea Coast’s readiness for the summer season was confirmed, with the relevant institutions reporting on inspections carried out, the preparedness of regulatory authorities, and security measures. In Varna, ongoing coordination with the Ministry of the Interior was noted, including the expected participation of police officers from Germany, Romania, and Poland during the peak summer months. The regional health inspectorates in Varna and Dobrich noted that seawater quality is monitored regularly, and the results show improvement and very good conditions. Minister Dimitrov suggested that this information be presented more clearly through an interactive map showing seawater quality, as this sends a strong message to tourists and foreign markets.