On 2 December 2025, Sofia University hosted the annual meeting “Internships and Future Careers in Bulgaria’s Tourism Industry” in its Mirror Hall, bringing together students, academics and representatives of leading tourism companies and organisations.
The event was organised by the Department of Geography of Tourism at the Faculty of Geology and Geography and is one of the key career-oriented initiatives for students enrolled in the Tourism programme.
The meeting brought together third-year students, university lecturers and representatives of 14 established tourism companies and organisations, including tour operators, travel agencies, high-end hotels and destination management organisations.
At the invitation of the department, Anton Penev, Director of Visit Sofia, also took part in the event. He introduced students to the work of the organisation, Sofia as a tourism destination, the profile of the city’s visitors, as well as current initiatives, projects and career opportunities within Visit Sofia.
Visit Sofia’s participation highlighted the importance of preparing highly qualified young professionals as a key factor in the development of a sustainable and competitive tourism sector. Strong cooperation between academia, public institutions and the tourism industry plays an essential role in attracting, training and retaining future specialists.
The event was hosted by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Radenka Mitova, Prof. Dr. Mariana Assenova, Deputy Dean of the Faculty, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Elena Petkova, Head of the Department of Geography of Tourism. They emphasised the importance of long-term cooperation between education and the tourism industry.
The professional internship programme, introduced into the curriculum more than 30 years ago, remains a distinctive model of practical education. Throughout the sixth semester, students work in a real professional environment and develop valuable practical skills.
The annual December meeting also serves as a mini career fair, where participating companies present internship opportunities and students can explore the most suitable options for their professional development.
