Irena Georgieva

Irena Nikolaeva Georgieva is a Bulgarian tourism businesswoman and politician, acting Minister of Tourism of Bulgaria since 2026. She served as Deputy Minister of Tourism between 2015 and 2026 and represented Bulgaria in the European Travel Commission between 2021 and 2023.

Career Georgieva obtained a degree in sociology from Sofia University and has developed her professional career in the tourism sector.

Since 2006, she has been a member of the Association of Bulgarian Tour Operators and Travel Agents, which she led between 2009 and 2011.

On 18 February 2026 Georgieva was announced as the new Minister of Tourism of the caretaker cabinet of Prime Minister Andrey Gyurov and was sworn in on 19 February 2026. She stated that there would be some continuity with her predecessor's tourism policies, as well as an emphasis on sustainable tourism development, improving the tourism business ecosystem, and establishing Bulgaria as a competitive tourist destination.