site.btaBulgaria’s Tourism Sector Now Draws Workers from Across the EU, Not Just Visitors - BTA Director General

Bulgaria is now attractive not only to tourists but also as a place to work in the tourism sector for citizens of other European Union (EU) countries, BTA Director General Kiril Valchev said on Sunday during the seventh BG Tourism - Summer 2025 forum in Pomorie. According to the Grifid hotel chain data, foreigners working in the chain are no longer only from countries with a lower standard of living than Bulgaria, such as India, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Turkiye, and Ukraine, but also from EU countries - Belgium, Germany, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Portugal, Romania, and France.

“French citizens from tourism colleges in Lille, Soissons, Le Touquet, Avesnes-sur-Helpe in northern France remain employed under labor contracts after having done short internships as receptionists, waiters, and cooks at Grifid hotels in Golden Sands. In 2021, there were 6 such employees, in 2022 – 17, in 2023 – 11, in 2024 – 8, and so far in 2025 – 13. French interns also work outside the summer season in the pastry kitchen and butchery of the hotel chain. Citizens of Italy, Lithuania, Germany, and Turkiye hold managerial positions in the hotels,” Valchev quoted Grifid data, emphasizing that this is a form of recognition for Bulgaria.

“But businesses need to help the media achieve this visibility. The media are not the enemy. Resort owners and managers, hoteliers, concessionaires, and travel companies need to face the media, and the media should refer to them by name when discussing all facts, both positive and negative. There are no bad questions, only bad answers, or even worse - a lack of response,” said the BTA Director General.