Journal of Tourism and Hospitality Management

50 Years Specialized Higher Education in Tourism in Bulgaria
Todor Dyankov, Svetla Rakadjiiska

Abstract
The aim of this article is to comprehensively outline the contribution of Bulgaria as a tourist country for the development of higher education and training in tourism. The authors try to trace and critically analyze two important periods of Bulgarian education in tourism. The necessity for development of tourism business on a large scale basis shifted the centrally planned economic model from the early 60s of 20th century on to the market oriented concepts. This revolutionary thinking during that time inevitably led to a specific type of higher education in tourism which went through a certain transformation during the transitional period of Bulgarian society. The authors also try to determine the problematic characteristics of the contemporary Bulgarian higher education in tourism, the opportunities for career development of tourism graduates, the role of the scientific and academic experience as an indispensable fundament for the successful development of tourism education and tourism business. Finally there are stated some issues for further improvement of Bulgarian educational system in tourism studies.

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