Maria Dolores ALVAREZ

Maria Dolores ALVAREZ is a Professor at Boğaziçi University’s School of Business, Department of Business Administration. Her career spans roles in destination marketing, sustainable tourism development, and tourist behavior research.

• Undergraduate: Law and Business Administration, Universidad de Deusto (1989)
• Masters: European Union Law, Université Libre de Bruxelles (1990)
• Masters: Business Administration, Cornell University (1993)
• Ph.D.: Marketing, Boğaziçi University (2003)

Her research focuses on destination branding, sustainable tourism, and animosity’s impact on travel decisions, particularly in conflict-affected regions. She has led projects funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, UNDP, UNESCO, and Boğaziçi University’s BAP.

Recent publications analyze political conflicts’ influence on destination image, gastronomy’s role in brand identity, and stakeholder involvement in sustainable tourism. Keywords include tourism marketing, political science, and cultural heritage.

• Award for Excellence in Research (2018), Boğaziçi University Foundation
• Award for Excellence in Teaching (2008, 2015), Boğaziçi University Foundation

She has coordinated research teams for tourism development projects in Turkey, Eastern Anatolia, and the Thrace region, emphasizing sustainable practices and cultural preservation.