Participation of Assoc. Prof. Dr Dessislava Alexova in the Conference “Models for Sustainable Development of the Region West of Sofia”

On November 7, 2024, the conference “Models for Sustainable Development of the Region West of Sofia” took place at VIVACOM ART HALL in Sofia. The event brought together representatives from the Ministry of Tourism, the municipalities of Bozhurishte, Slivnitsa, Kostinbrod, and Sofia Municipality, as well as experts from various fields.

Assoc. Prof. Dr Dessislava Alexova from the International Business School, participated in the first panel dedicated to local governance.

In her address, Assoc. Prof. Alexova emphasized the significance of tourism as a connecting industry for regional development. She highlighted that while tourism is not a key structural sector, it can serve as a catalyst for economic diversification and contribute to building a positive image for the region:

“I believe that tourism is not structurally defining for the development of the region and its individual municipalities, but it can act as a connecting link between other economic sectors, contributing to their diversification and having an image-enhancing effect. The municipalities have limited tourism resources, but if they work together on a regional level, there is significant potential for the development of various specialized types of tourism. Nature, history, cultural heritage, and people are immense assets that, when managed wisely, can contribute to the sustainable development of the region.”

Informally, Assoc. Prof. Alexova discussed with Ms. Desislava Mihalkova, State Expert in the Directorate of Tourism Policy at the Ministry of Tourism, and Mr. Georgi Dimov, Mayor of Bozhurishte, the prospects for developing specialized types of tourism in the region and opportunities for enhancing inter-municipal cooperation.

Among the key speakers at the conference was Rosen Plevneliev, President of the Republic of Bulgaria (2012–2017). He presented ideas and perspectives on the development of the region, with a special focus on opportunities for attracting investments that could contribute to a more modern and environmentally sustainable economy.

The conference “Models for Sustainable Development of the Region West of Sofia” focused on significant topics such as quality of life and sustainable regional development, ESG policies and net-zero carbon footprint for businesses, preservation of natural wealth and biodiversity, essential infrastructure and inter-municipal connectivity, safeguarding cultural and historical heritage, and the development of various forms of tourism, including cultural, historical, mountain, spa, and culinary tourism.

The participation of Assoc. Prof. Dessislava Alexova, and her insights on the role of tourism contributed to the constructive dialogue among the participants, while the visionary ideas of President Rosen Plevneliev added further value to the importance of the forum.