Zangador Research Institute played an active role in TOURISM‑EXPO “Destination Varna” 2025 (26–27 September), co‑organising a major conference track alongside leading industry and institutional partners. The event gathered tourism professionals, educators, and innovators to discuss the skills and technologies shaping the sector’s future.

A highlight of the programme was the panel “Educating the Future: New Skills for New Experiences in Tourism”, held on 26 September at the Black Sea Hotel Conference Centre. The session opened with insights from the Pact for Next Tourism Generation Skills – PANTOUR project, presented by Maya Georgieva Ivanova (Zangador Research Institute).

The discussion brought together: Zlatina Mihaylova (Hotel Aquamarine, Kranevo), who shared strategies for inspiring young employees; Nevyana Dimitrova (Hotel International, Golden Sands), who stressed the importance of social skills and continuous training; Irina Petkova (Guest House Sasha; Varna University of Management), who highlighted the crucial role of middle managers as motivators and role models.

Speakers agreed that tourism must respond to rapid change through innovative training models and stronger cooperation between education and business.

Another key session, “AI in Tourism in Practice”, featured Prof. Stanislav Ivanov (Zangador Research Institute) and Elitsa Stoilova (Umni.bg). They explored practical applications of artificial intelligence in hospitality, emphasising that AI should support, not replace, human staff by automating routine tasks and enabling teams to focus on exceptional guest experiences.

Zangador Research Institute remains committed to fostering dialogue and s