Prof. Dr. Elenita Velikova is an established lecturer, scholar, and expert with over 20 years of experience at the Department of Tourism Economics at the University of National and World Economy (UNWE). She graduated from the 91st German Language High School in Sofia and subsequently earned a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in International Tourism from UNWE. In 2006, she defended her PhD dissertation in the field of economics and management, building a consistent academic and professional career focused on the development of tourism and the event industry.
Currently, Prof. Velikova serves as Secretary General for Science at UNWE and Director of the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Center. She is habilitated as a Professor in Event Management in Tourism. Her expertise covers event tourism, health, SPA and wellness tourism, sustainable development, strategic alliances, and outsourcing, with a strong emphasis on linking academic knowledge to the practical needs of the industry.
Prof. Dr. Velikova is an independent expert to the Ministry of Tourism and the National Evaluation and Accreditation Agency. She is Chair of the Commission for the Promotion and Evaluation of Research Activity at UNWE, Vice-Chair of the Research Programme Council, and a member of the Supervisory Board of the Bulgarian Chamber of Education, Science and Culture. Through these roles, she actively contributes to improving the quality of research and to the sustainable development of education and science in Bulgaria.
Over the years, Prof. Velikova has led and participated in numerous national, international, and university research projects. Her professional background includes international specialisations at the University of Nicosia, Cyprus, and the University of Perugia, Italy. She is the recipient of several awards for best presentations and scientific publications at prestigious international forums.
As a speaker and participant in professional events, Prof. Dr. Elenita Velikova focuses on the future of the event industry, sustainable models in tourism, wellness concepts, and the role of science and education in enhancing the competitiveness of destinations and businesses.