E-voice project promoted during the regional conference on sustainable tourism
Albena resort complex / 2nd of June 2023
Just before the official opening of Summer Season 2023, UBBSLA team attended a regional conference on sustainable tourism in Albena resort complex – a popular seaside resort located on the northern Bulgarian Black Sea coast. In addition to its natural beauty and recreational offerings, Albena resort complex is well-known for its commitment to environmental sustainability. The resort has implemented various eco-friendly initiatives, including waste management programs, water conservation measures, sustainable recruitment of employees and promoting environmentally responsible tourism practices. The event provided a place for discussions between the present employers from the tourism industry, educational institutions and non-for-profit organizations about the sustainable employment in the seasonal tourism sector, the link between the education and business sectors, circular economy, etc.
We used the opportunity to speak about the effect of the unemployment during the pandemic – one of the four areas of “E-VOICE – A Voice for Europe” project. Sharing the main purpose of funded under CERV-2021-CITIZENS-TOWN E-voice project, Mrs. Ivanova (UBBSLA) concluded that the process of building democratic and resilient societies of the future has to involve young people whose voice must be heard. “Bulgaria, known for its beautiful resorts and tourist attractions, experienced a considerable decline in tourism activity during the pandemic, leading to increased unemployment in the sector, which hires mostly young people for seasonal work. The participation of the young people to the decision making for the future of their communities cannot take place unless obstacles that the COVID-19 pandemic have both created and worsened are removed”, said Mrs. Ivanova.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the tourism sector in Bulgaria, like in many other countries, was severely impacted. Bulgaria heavily relies on tourism as a significant contributor to its economy. Before the pandemic, the tourism sector accounted for a substantial portion of employment in the Black sea region. However, due to travel restrictions, lockdown measures, and decreased demand for travel, the sector experienced a significant decline, leading to a rise in unemployment. In 2020, the number of tourists visiting Bulgaria dropped significantly compared to previous years. According to data from the National Statistical Institute of Bulgaria, the total number of foreign tourists in 2020 decreased by around 71% compared to 2019. This decline in tourist arrivals resulted in hotel closures, reduced working hours, and layoffs in the tourism industry, leading to higher unemployment rates.
The conference attendees unanimously agreed that educational institutions, local authorities and business should be mutually engaged in order to provide more and better jobs for young people, and young people should participate more actively in public life and policy-making at the local level.
Pictures source: UBBSLA / UBBSLA team attending the study visit in Albena Resort complex