Mariela Petrova Dimitrova is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Tourism within the Faculty of Economics at University of Veliko Tarnovo. With a PhD and extensive research output, she specializes in tourism management, intellectual property law, and business law, contributing significantly to both academic and practical applications in these fields. Her educational background and professional development have positioned her as a key figure in tourism research, particularly focusing on digital transformation in the sector. She has contributed to numerous publications addressing contemporary challenges in tourism development and intellectual property management. Dimitrova's research interests center around the intersection of tourism innovation and legal frameworks. Her work explores how digital technologies transform traditional tourism models, with particular emphasis on wellness tourism, destination marketing, and knowledge management in regional tourism development. She investigates the legal aspects of intellectual property in business contexts, examining trademark strategies, copyright challenges in digital environments, and the relationship between business names and trademarks in judicial practice. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong focus on practical applications of tourism theory, with increasing attention to digital innovations. Her research shows a clear trajectory toward integrating traditional tourism concepts with modern technological solutions, particularly in the areas of 3D digital products and knowledge transfer for regional tourism development. The publications demonstrate consistent engagement with both Bulgarian legal frameworks and international best practices. Dimitrova actively participates in research projects addressing contemporary tourism challenges. Her current involvement includes projects on stimulating technological innovation in tourist destinations, university television initiatives, and knowledge transfer for developing tourist potential in Balkan regions. These projects reflect her commitment to bridging academic research with practical tourism development.



