From 14 to 16 November, Plovdiv hosted the Train the Trainers workshop, an essential step in the second phase of DETOUR project. The training was organized by the Management Organization of Thrace Tourist Region, a key partner in the DETOUR consortium, and brought together leading Bulgarian tourism professionals preparing to become future mentors for SMEs in 2026.

The team of trainers included university professors, representatives of the Chamber of Commerce and the Ministry of Culture, as well as professionals in the tourism industry and experts in the development and management of European projects, a diverse group whose combined experience forms a strong foundation for the programme’s upcoming mentoring phase.

The event was officially opened by Plamen Panov, Deputy Mayor for Culture, Archaeology, and Tourism of Plovdiv Municipality and Chairman of the Thrace Tourist Region. He delivered a presentation on “Public Management of Tourism, Cultural Heritage and Sustainable Development”, setting the foundation for an engaging discussion with participants.

Throughout the three-day programme, the lecturers from Austria - Prof. Dr. Dagmar Lund - Durlache, Italy - Elena Dubinina, the Netherlands - Max Smits, Slovakia - Ingrid Zalneva, Greece - Isabelle Trinquelle, and Bulgaria - Gabriela Kaneva, shared experience and best practices covering the full spectrum of modern tourism needs. The programme featured sessions on management and finance, product development, global tourism trends, sustainability and green practices, marketing and content creation, as well as technological innovation and digital transformation. The modules concluded with interactive sessions encouraging knowledge exchange and practical application.

Beyond the formal training sessions, the programme offered a curated cultural experience prepared by the hosts—Thrace Tourist Region. Participants explored Plovdiv’s most spectacular landmarks, including the** Bishop’s Basilica of Philippopolis**, the Ancient Theatre, and the Old Town, gaining firsthand impressions of the city’s rich cultural heritage.

The workshop also included a study visit to Yustina Winery, an inspiring example of a regional enterprise that is successfully expanding and diversifying its tourism offerings in a sustainable and innovative way. The visit showcased how local businesses can integrate wine production, hospitality, and experiential tourism into a cohesive and responsible model.

Following the workshop, the 12 experts from the Thrace Tourist Region will continue working within the project framework to deliver mentoring sessions to SMEs in 2026.