Industrial Association President Says Bulgaria's Wealth Lies in Its Nature, People

Zhenya Ilcheva, Yoana Vodenicharova

Bulgarian Industrial Association Managing Board Chair Dobri Mitrev speaks at a conference on tourism in Sofia, April 21, 2026 (BTA Photo/Vladimir Shokov)

Sofia,

21.04.2026 14:19

(BTA)

Bulgarian Industrial Association Managing Board Chair Dobri Mitrev Tuesday said that Bulgaria’s wealth lies in its nature and its people.

“We are not a poor country. We have unique nature, culture, and people, which we must turn into sustainable development,” Mitrev said at the conference “Tourism. Nature. Innovation,” organized by the National Board of Tourism (NBT) at the University of Forestry.

The event is part of a series of initiatives marking NBT's 20th anniversary, held under the motto “The Four Keys to Sustainable Tourism – Culture, Nature, Food and Innovation.“ The forum is under the auspices of President Iliana Iotova and is supported by the Tourism Ministry. The Bulgarian News Agency is a media partner.

Mitrev stressed the importance of such forums in bringing together businesses, institutions, and the academic community to foster a more sustainable and competitive tourism sector. He emphasized the need to move beyond a narrow focus on industry-specific issues and instead seek solutions through culture, education, and innovation.

He also underscored the vital role of nature as a core resource, noting that without it, neither tourism nor a high quality of life can be sustained. According to him, Bulgaria is rich in natural, cultural, and human assets that must be managed wisely and used sustainably.

Mitrev noted that achieving a higher level of development depends on strong partnerships between institutions and the business sector, as well as a proactive role from entrepreneurs. He placed particular emphasis on young people, encouraging them to stay curious, pursue knowledge, and adapt to a rapidly changing world.

/RY/