NICHE TOURISM - INNOVATIONS AND QUALITY CULTURE IN SPECIALIZED WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Purpose: This study aims to analyze the advantages of Bulgaria's full educational vertical in wellness culture across two professional fields and assess the external evaluation of the knowledge, intellectual, and practical skills of specialized personnel in Bulgarian niche tourism. It emphasizes the significance of the studied indicators. Methods: We conducted a psychometric assessment of customer opinions to quantify their responses. This was achieved using an adaptive questionnaire administered through Google Drive. Results: The paper analyzes the benefits of accredited innovations in niche tourism. We developed new educational programs aligned with recent changes in Bulgarian educational and scientific policies. Over the past decade, Bulgaria has successfully integrated six specialized programs in niche tourism within two professional categories: Healthcare and Sport, and is establishing a Centre for Excellence. Conclusions: The identified patterns serve as a foundation for building a comprehensive educational framework from secondary to doctoral levels, focusing on innovative programs that support smart services in niche tourism and a knowledge-based economy in Bulgaria.