On September 26 and 27, the ninth edition of Tourism Expo – “Destination Varna 2025” is taking place at the “Cherno More” Hotel. The event is organized by ProVox Communication Solutions and the Varna Association of Restaurateurs and Hoteliers (VARH), with financial support from the Municipality of Varna and with the participation of the Ministry of Tourism. Once again, the expo confirms Varna as a key hub for meetings between the tourism industry, business, education, and innovation.
The “Destination Varna” forum goes far beyond a standard exhibition – it serves as a platform for building partnerships, presenting new products and services, and exchanging ideas. It brings together companies, institutions, and universities from Bulgaria and abroad, guiding them hand in hand toward shaping a better future for tourism in the country.
Varna University of Management – Key Educational Partner
Varna University of Management (VUM) is the main educational partner of this year’s expo and demonstrated its active involvement in the program through the participation of its academic staff and students.
The official opening began with a press conference, where VUM President Assoc. Prof. Dr. Todor Radev shared his vision for the future of tourism education and the opportunities for collaboration between academia and business. He later joined the speaker panel with a presentation entitled “Tourism Education – Where Are We on the World Map?”, outlining the main challenges and opportunities for Bulgaria in a global context. He emphasized the importance of tourism for the Bulgarian economy, the shortage of qualified professionals, and the need for investment in their training. Naturally, he also highlighted VUM’s role as a leading partner in preparing specialists through internationally recognized programs, practice-oriented education, and short courses tailored to the needs of business.
The program continued with the active participation of VUM lecturers. Eng. Irina Petkova and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Maya Ivanova took part in the panel “Training the Future: New Skills for New Tourism Experiences”, stressing the importance of modern educational approaches and practices that meet the evolving expectations of travelers.
On the second day of the event, Prof. Dr. Stanislav Ivanov is expected to share his expertise in the panel “AI in Tourism in Practice – How to Apply Artificial Intelligence in Hospitality to Improve Efficiency, Marketing, and Sales.”
VUM Students – Active Ambassadors of the University
The culinary experience and festive mood during the official opening were ensured by chef-instructors and students from the Culinary Arts Institute at VUM. They prepared a special catering with signature dishes that impressed the official guests and contributed to the celebratory atmosphere of the event.
VUM students also welcomed guests to the event and presented information at the VUM booth, where all interested visitors could learn more about the university’s educational programs, teaching methods, as well as internship and career opportunities.
The active participation of VUM in “Destination Varna 2025” highlights the role of higher education as a key partner of the tourism industry. Through academic discussions, practical demonstrations, and culinary experiences, VUM reaffirmed its position as a leader in training professionals and applying innovations in tourism.
