Online travel agencies now make up more than 40% of all tourism bookings in Bulgaria, and just three companies handle 85% of those bookings. Tourism minister Ilin Dimitrov gave the figures as he opened the Black Sea Technology Forum in Varna.
Dimitrov said technology now plays a part at every stage of tourism, with software covering the whole chain. "We're streamlining work in kitchens, restaurants and bars, moving into tracking guest feedback, and much more," he said. Hotel management systems, digital restaurant menus and in-room electronic assistants that help guests place orders are already in use, he added.
Dimitrov said the newly formed Association of Higher Education Institutions Teaching Tourism now runs an observatory that will measure, using more than 200 criteria, how happy tourists are with their stay in Bulgaria. No other country in Europe has a body like this, he said. Researchers, PhD students and undergraduates will be able to try out new technology directly through the observatory. Measuring the quality of services, the minister said, is the first step toward making it better.
Tourism makes up 8% of Bulgaria's economy directly and around 14% indirectly, Dimitrov said. In Varna, the sector makes up more than 35% of the local economy.
The minister said Varna needs more events like this one, adding that a hall this full is a rare sight.
The forum runs for three days under the patronage of president Iliana Yotova, who welcomed the participants. Also at the opening were innovation and digital transformation minister Ivan Vasilev and Varna regional governor Mario Smarkov.
The forum is organised by the ICT Cluster – Varna, together with Varna municipality, the Executive Agency for Promotion of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, Bulgaria's BRAIN++ artificial intelligence factory and the Applied Research and Communications Fund.
The Association of Higher Education Institutions Teaching Tourism was founded in Varna on September 27, World Tourism Day.