The Rector Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov and the Deputy Minister of Tourism Irena Georgieva Discussed the Opportunities for Cooperation

The Global Centre for Tourism Sustainability and Crisis Management and the Economics of Tourism Department at UNWE - organizers of the International Discussion Forum From Crisis to Sustainability: Global Challenges and Solutions in Tourism - provided a rich accompanying programme.

The Deputy Minister of Tourism Irena Georgieva greeted the participants in the Forum and held a meeting with the Rector of UNWE Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov where the opportunities for active cooperation between the University and the Ministry in the field of sustainable tourism development and crisis management were discussed.

Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov, Rector of UNWE, and Irena Georgieva, Deputy Minister of Tourism

Students from the specialty Organization of Tourism and Leisure of Dimitar Talev Nevrokop Vocational High School /NVHS/ in Gotse Delchev town also joined the Discussion Forum and took part in a workshop on the Sustainable Development, Circular Economy and Hotel Business.

They were accompanied by the Senior Teachers Nadezhda Ilieva and Dr. Violeta Bashova. The Director of the Inter-University Center for Career Development Atanas Dimitrov conducted an informational tour for the high school pupils and their teachers. They visited with great interest Maxima Aula, the Startup Hub, Large Conference Hall, the Rector's Office, the newest Campus K, the renovated University Library and managed to immerse themselves in the academic atmosphere of our university. At the Centre for Documents Reception the pupils knew about the opportunities for studing, the application process, the required documents and theUnified Entrance Examination which is also held in Dimitar Talev Nevrokop Vocational High School /NVHS/.

"The cooperation between the UNWE and the NVHS guarantees the high quality of the educational process in our high school and supports the career orientation of the students. Thank you for the panoramic tour around the impressive facilities of the University and the useful information!", said Dr. Violeta Bashova, who is a graduate of the Economics of Tourism Department at UNWE.

The foreign participants in the Discussion Forum From Crisis to Sustainability: Global Challenges and Solutions in Tourism, and the UNWE lecturers took part in a one-day excursion to Rila Monastery and Bansko.  The tour around the tourist region of Rila and Pirin aimed to present the best practices and opportunities for sustainable tourism. The guests got acquainted with the rich cultural and historical heritage of the holy monastery, visited the monastery's museum, and bowed before the relics of St. Ivan of Rila.

PhD student Lily Stanoeva, Prof. Dr. Elenita Velikova, Prof. Dr. Dora Marinova, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Georgy Nikolov, Prof. Dr. Tonino Pencarelli, Chief Assist. Dr. Ekaterina Bogomilova, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Simone Splendiani, Dr. Leah Hamilton, Prof. D.Sc. Tanya Parusheva

In Bansko the participants in the Forum visited Aparthotel Lucky Bansko SPA & Relax, where they were welcomed by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Asya Panjerova and discussed important topics for the development of tourism.

PhD student Lily Stanoeva, Prof. Dr. Elenita Velikova, Prof. Dr. Dora Marinova, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Georgy Nikolov, Prof. Dr. Tonino Pencarelli, Chief Assist. Dr. Ekaterina Bogomilova, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Simone Splendiani, Dr. Leah Hamilton, Prof. D.Sc. Tanya Parusheva

The guests and the hosts outlined various opportunities for future joint initiatives in relation to the fruitful cooperation with the Global Centre for Tourism Sustainability and Crisis Management as well as with the UNWE and the Economics of Tourism Department.