In 1993, we added to our business the import of hiking and climbing equipment. We grew slowly, made mistakes, our services were substandard. We learned at the expense of our first clients, we learned while travelling, and the course I took in France in business development and marketing, supported by a programme of the French government, gave us our first corporate contacts. The rest was a matter of integrity, faith and perseverance, common sense, talent and creativity, determination.
Our mission is to demonstrate respect and create understanding of the nature and cultural identity of the communities and places we visit.
Our vision is to offer high quality, active and immersive adventure and cultural trips at a great value. We do our best to minimize our negative impact and support a number of conservation organizations and local initiatives. We have been “Travelife Certified” since 2017.
Odysseia-In Public Report 2024-2026
Sustainable Tourism in Turbulent Times
To keep following our mission and continuing to act as a pioneer despite wars, political instability, and intense competition—this is the challenge that the team of Odysseia-In Sports & Travel Agency has actively embraced throughout its 36-year presence on the Bulgarian tourism scene.
Although we experienced a cyclical low in booking demand during 2024, we refused to compromise on our core sustainability values and vision. As market interest rebounded, we successfully developed and executed new, high-value-added itineraries, entered new source markets, and established strong new partnerships. This resilience proves that our operational integrity, dedication to responsible tourism, strict focus on nature conservation, authentic contact, and the wellbeing of local communities are deeply valued. We have demonstrated that quality cannot be compromised, despite the broader service crisis and skyrocketing prices within the tourism sector in Bulgaria.
In parallel, our team expanded with the addition of a new, highly motivated colleague who was successfully integrated into our volunteer campaigns and our mission to uphold the principles of sustainable and responsible travel—the very heart of our journeys. Together, we engaged in field operations across the abandoned hamlets of the Eastern Rhodopes and participated in trail-clearing initiatives for a new cross-border mountain trekking route along the ridge of the Western Balkan Mountains (Stara Planina). Furthermore, we collaboratively organized the annual "Challenges Days" festival, visited cultural exhibitions to foster shared values in art and culture, and conducted regular workshops with our tour leaders and mountain guides. Despite modest results, office-based salaries remain attractive and motivating, alongside opportunities to home –office work.In our internal office management, we consistently maintained our resource-efficiency practices. This includes the continuous reuse of printing paper, strict waste separation, and a practical zero-plastic operational footprint achieved by utilizing large 10-liter reusable water containers, which we refill directly from the natural mineral springs of the Sofia Central Mineral Baths.
Sharing knowledge and experience is at the core of our DNA. Looking ahead, Odysseia-In will continue to prioritize small, special-interest groups, sharing our vision of responsible living and traveling. We remain committed to helping local communities at our destinations develop their capacity without losing their precious cultural authenticity. Our primary ambassadors remain our charismatic mountain guides and tour leaders who lead by personal example, supported by an office team that aims to spend more time on the field accompanying groups, scouting new sustainable routes, and training local authorities and suppliers.
Final Statement - Public Report
We continue our dedicated work to comply with international sustainability standards and the renewal of our Travelife Certified status remains our long-term priority. For more information, please contact our Sustainability coordinator Irina Shalamandova at: irina@odysseia-in.com or visit www.odysseia-in.com/responsible-policy.
