site.btaBTA Hosts Roundtable Discussion on Food in Tourism

The importance of food quality for the tourism sector and attracting tourists through culinary experiences was discussed by representatives of industry organizations and institutions at a roundtable discussion held at the BTA National Press Club in Sofia on Thursday. The event was organized by the Affordable and Quality Food Association.

Stanko Stankov of the University of Food Technologies in Plovdiv said that the Education Ministry does not deem tourism a priority subject, which tends to demotivate students. He raised the question of the extent to which the business is ready to meet the needs of education.

Atanas Dimitrov of the Bulgarian Hotel and Restaurant Association said that "in order to have quality food, we must have quality staff". "As taxpayers, we invest in education, which ends up benefiting someone else," Dimitrov said, adding that economic factors force qualified workers to leave the country. He highlighted the importance of the development of tourism in Bulgaria, focusing on travel, accommodation, food.

In his words, the interests of Bulgarian farmers and producers "must be fiercely defended so that Bulgarian families can eat homegrown food of good quality".

Dimitrov pointed to a lack of marketing of the Bulgarian tourism product. He cited Greece, Croatia, and Turkiye as countries that sell their products successfully because they have chosen to invest in advertising via various channels.

Bulgarian Association of Restaurants President Richard Alibegov said that Bulgaria is the only country where tourism is not recognized by the State as a priority sector. He pointed out that Bulgaria’s Recovery and Resilience Plan does not envisage any funding for tourism. "There is no support from the state for the tourism sector, and it should be understood that it is very important, it is the calling card of Bulgaria," Alibegov said.

The Executive Director of the BG Fish Association of fish product producers, Yordan Gospodinov, said that most tourists visit Bulgaria for food tourism, and it is crucial that the State pay attention to it. He added that this country has reached the highest level of quality and safety of fish and fish products.

Tatyana Nikolova of the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency said that it is important that restaurants offer quality and safe food, and it is the responsibility of the business to ensure this.

Kamelia Krasteva of the Commission for Consumers Protection noted that the focus of their inspections this year will be on compliance with the requirements for tourism activities in the hospitality and catering sector. She added that the joint efforts of the institutions are aimed at prevention.

Daniela Venova of the National Revenue Agency pointed out that the Agency had started its summer campaign on the Black Sea coast looking into compliance with tax and social security requirements.