Ilin Dimitrov, Tourism Minister of Bulgaria, informed through his social media account that he opened the launch of the National Competition of Professions in Tourism 2023 to Albena. He stated that the MT will organize a total of 28 regional competitions for young future professionals in tourism.
Minister Dimitrov emphasized that 183 students from a record number of professional tourism high schools participated in the most significant competition among tourism schools – 48 total, nearly 130 teachers, university representatives, professional associations and business representatives.
The competitions are held in 6 categories of professions from “Hotel, Restaurant and Catering” and “Travel, Tourism and Leisure”. The contestants will be graded for Best Young Chef, Best Young Waiter, Best Young Baker, Best Young Hotelier, Best Young Animator and Best Young Bartender.
He emphasized that in the spirit of well-intentioned competition and the uplifting atmosphere of this event, many talents can find inspiration and motivation and meet their future employers in the face of business and professionals who appreciate them.
Minister Dimitrov turned to the participants and shared that today they are facing professional challenges and building the future of Bulgarian tourism.
He encouraged Bulgarian youth should allow themselves to dream and achieve their goals by staying in Bulgaria because they are tomorrow’s face of destination Bulgaria, of professions that will raise the prestige of our sector and allow its sustainable development.
The national competition is organized by the Association of Restaurant and Hotel Schools in Bulgaria and the Ministry of Education and Science, with the assistance of BHRA. Hosted by the P. Professional High School of Tourism To. Yavorov” in Dobrich.
The Minister of Education and Science Prof. welcomed the participants as well. Sasho Penov. He emphasized that in addition to attracting and retaining personnel, focusing on the quality of the tourist product is essential.
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 professionals in tourism on a decentralized basis – in every region of Bulgaria to encourage them to remain in their chosen profession.
During the event, the tourism Minister received a certificate of distinction – a replica of a Bulgarian gold treasure of the organizer and driver of the national competition – Malinka Marinova, President of the Association of Restaurant and Hotel Management Schools in Bulgaria.
The MT distinguished her for the imposition of a high standard and modernization of education and personnel qualification systems in the field of tourism and its involvement in the positioning and popularization of the initiative.