On 15.03. 2017 eng. Angel Zhilanov, Mayor of the First Green Municipality in Bulgaria – Gorna Malina, was guest lecturer at the International Business School in Botevgrad. In the framework of the project “Enabling students and citizens to realize their global environmental and social footprint.” , eng. Angel Zhilanov  presented the state and the opportunities for development of tourism in the municipality, the activities and measures set out in the municipal development plans and the Strategy for Sustainable Development of Tourism in the Municipality of Gorna Malina 2017-2030, the challenges and opportunities in the implementation of regional tourism policies and local development. Under the management of Mr. Zhilanov Gorna Malina Municipality was declared the first green municipality in Bulgaria.

The Chief Expert on Education, Culture and Religious Affairs in the Municipality of Gorna Malina – Mrs. Ganka Hristova, took part in the meeting. The students were from the second and third bachelor’s program “Tourism”, led by Prof. Nikolina Popova and Ch. Prof. Dr. Desislava Aleksova, Chairman of the Association “Shtastlivetsa”, moderator of the discussion. They were able to enrich the theoretical knowledge obtained in the fields of “Planning and Development of Tourism” and “Field Study of a Tourist Destination” by presenting good practices, results of analyzes and projects of the municipality.

Special attention was paid to the detailed presentation on “Strengthening the Competitiveness and Efficiency of the Tourism Sector in the Municipality of Gorna Malina by Optimal Utilization of Available Resources in Accordance with Market Requirements and Consumer Expectations for Sustainable Development of Tourism in the Period 2017 – 2030″, followed by a lively Discussion. Gennady Kondarev of the Environmental Association Za Zemyata/For the Earth presented the local problems of the Bulgarian municipalities in a global context, according to the challenges of our choice on the way to future development that we are doing today but it will determine our future, especially with regard to what kind of ecological and social footprint we will bequeath to our successors from our entire common planet.

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The event was carried out with the financial support of the European Union.

The content of the debates, seminaires and public lections is entirely the responsibility of Shtatslivetsa Sofia Civic Association, Enironmental Association “Za Zemyata/For the Earth” and PLACE FOR FUTURE Educational Network and in no way can it be considered to reflect the positions of the European Union.