Positive Messages Key to Tourism, Says Head of Tourism Economics Department at UNWE

Tatiana Marinova

Mariana Ianeva, Head of the Department of Tourism Economics at the University of National and World Economy, addresses the BG Tourism – Winter 2025/2026 forum, Pamporovo, December 6, 2025 (BTA Photo/Boyan Botev)

Pamporovo, Southern Bulgaria,

06.12.2025 15:58

(BTA)

Positive messages in tourism are extremely important, said Prof. Mariana Ianeva, Head of the Department of Tourism Economics at the University of National and World Economy (UNWE), during the BG Tourism – Winter 2025/2026 forum held in Pamporovo on Saturday.

The forum is organized by BTA in partnership with the Municipality of Chepelare, the Bulgarian Union of Balneology and SPA Tourism (BUBSPA), and the resort of Pamporovo. The event is part of BTA's initiative to host forums twice a year – at the beginning of the summer and winter tourist seasons – to discuss the messages for the presentation of tourism in Bulgaria during the upcoming season with representatives of state and municipal institutions, the tourism business, non-governmental organizations, scientists, and experts.

According to Ianeva, in addition to dynamic messages, there should be constant ones, such as “Hospitality in Four Seasons” or “Sun, Snow & SPA.”

Bulgaria is a mountain destination, and according to the concept of tourism zoning, mountain tourism has three subdivisions. Besides ski tourism, it includes recreational tourism and hiking, Ianeva said, emphasizing the need to develop walking opportunities in Bulgarian mountain resorts.

Ianeva also noted that the UNWE Department of Tourism Economics works to establish and promote health tourism in all its forms. She highlighted that the University aims for a large portion of students in the relevant field at UNWE to build careers in the country’s tourism sector. The Department has organized 20 events focusing on Brand Bulgaria, with an emphasis on year-round hospitality, she added.

Among those invited to participate in the forum are parliamentary Tourism Committee Chairman Desislav Taskov (BSP – United Left), Minister of Youth and Sports Ivan Peshev, Minister of Tourism Miroslav Borshosh, and deputy ministers. The forum will also include representatives of local authorities, heads of organizations in the tourism business and resort complexes, and educational institutions in the field of tourism. Veleva and leaders of media outlets that are members of the Union of Bulgarian National Electronic Media, of which BTA is also a member, have also been invited: Milen Mitev, Director General of Bulgarian National Radio and Chairman of the Union of Bulgarian National Electronic Media, Anton Andonov, Member of the Management Board of Bulgarian National Television, Gospodin Yovchev, Chief Operating Officer of bTV Media Group, Marta Evtimova, Chief Producer of News and Current Affairs at Nova Broadcasting Group, as well as other national and regional media outlets.

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