In accordance with the Tourism Act, in 2016 the minister of tourism issued ordinances for the education, the practical preparation and the vocational qualification needed for acquiring a right to exercise the professions “Tourist Guide” and “Mountain Guide”. The issuance of such an ordinance for the profession “Ski Instructor” is forthcoming. The regulation of these key professions for the tourism industry is expected to improve the quality of the Bulgarian tourism product and to increase the competitiveness of the country at the international tourism market.
The first ordinance, the one for the profession “Tourist Guide”, was issued in January 2016 but will take effect six months later –in July. In the Vocational Education and Training (VET) system this qualification dates back to 2003 when the first List of Professions for Vocational Education and Training was adopted by the minister of education and science. The level of this qualification according to the National (and to the European) Qualification Framework is 4 or 5 (the qualification can be acquired in two different specialities which have different NQF and EQF levels).
The second ordinance, the one for the profession “Mountain Guide”, was issued in March 2016 but its effect is delayed for six months later too – for September. In the VET system this qualification is at NQF (and EQF) level 4 and also exists from 2003. The acting qualificational standard is from 2010.
The written procedures in these ordinances for acquiring competence require from the candidates to pass centralized exams organized by the Ministry of Tourism twice a year. Access to these exams will be given only to citizens with the relevant higher or secondary (vocational) education/ qualification.
The third ordinance, the one for the profession “Ski Instructor”, is in project form at the moment and is not issued yet. At the same time at European level it is being worked on the issuance of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) Establishing Common Training Tests for Ski Instructors. It is intended that the persons who pass this common training will automatically receive the right to practice this profession in every member-state of the European Union.
All persons who have acquired a competence on some of the described three professions will have their names entered in the respective list of the National Tourism Register and during the conduction of their business activities have to wear the issued identity cards at visible place on themselves.
Links:
- Ordinance # 1 from 5 January 2016 for the education, the practical preparation and the vocational qualification needed for acquiring a right to exercise the profession of “Tourist Guide”
http://www.tourism.government.bg/sites/tourism.government.bg/files/documents/2016-02/2.pdf
- Ordinance # 3 from 7 March 2016 for the education, the practical preparation and the vocational qualification needed for acquiring a right to exercise the profession of “Mountain Guide”
- Project of Ordinance for the education, the practical preparation and the vocational qualification needed for acquiring a right to exercise the profession of “Ski Instructor”
