Andrzej Gut-Mostowy – Doctor Honoris Causa of IBS

On May 30, 2023, during a ceremonial event, Andrzej Gut-Mostowy, State Secretary at the Ministry of Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Poland and the authorized representative of the Prime Minister for promoting the Polish brand, was awarded the honorary academic title “Doctor Honoris Causa” by the International Business School for his significant contribution to the development of Bulgarian-Polish economic relations and for popularizing scientific research achievements and their impact on tourism policies and management at the national and European levels.

The ceremony was opened by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Stela Baltova, Vice-Rector for Scientific Research and International Cooperation. Prof. Dr. Georgi Apostolov, Rector of the International Business School, conferred the honorary title upon Andrzej Gut-Mostowy and presented him with the distinctive academic insignia of the International Business School. Lena Gaydarska, President of the International Business School, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ivan Andreev, Vice-Rector for Quality System Management and Education in PhD programs of the International Business School, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Daniela Georgieva, Dean of the International Business School, also attended the ceremony. Official guests included Dr. Ilin Dimitrov, Minister of Tourism; Irena Georgieva, Deputy Minister of Tourism; H.E. Mateusz Szymański, Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to the Republic of Bulgaria; Nikolay Kostov, Tourism Attaché of Bulgaria in Poland; experts from the Ministry of Tourism and Sports in Poland and the Ministry of Tourism in Bulgaria; representatives of the Polish Tourism Association, as well as Mr. Gut-Mostowy’s wife, Bożena Gut-Mostowy.

“This ceremony is extremely important for us as an academic institution with international exposure, contributing to the development of scientific research in the field of tourism and its policies, fostering close interaction with businesses at regional, national, and global levels. It is a special honor for us to welcome Mr. Gut-Mostowy into our academic family. Preserving family ties and dedication to one’s homeland are the driving forces leading Mr. Gut-Mostowy on the path of his professional development and influencing his commitment to expanding collaboration with other communities by applying the achievements of his research. This connection is inspiring. It carries the spirit of history and makes Mr. Gut-Mostowy an inspiring figure. Congratulations to him for his creative pursuits and his aspiration to apply scientific achievements to the policies and management of tourism at the national, regional, and European levels,” emphasized Assoc. Prof. Baltova.

“We are aware of the significance of tourism for our country, as well as our own role in its development through the preparation of high-quality specialists. We constantly strive to expand opportunities for the younger generation in Bulgaria. Dear Mr. Gut-Mostowy, we believe that with the expertise and experience you possess, you will contribute even more to the noble mission we undertake in the field of tourism education, and thereby contribute to the overall development of tourism in a broader transnational perspective,” emphasized Prof. Apostolov.

“I would like to express my deep gratitude to the university leadership and colleagues from the academic community for this great honor. It is an honor for me, thank you very much! This is a recognition not only for me but also for the entire team that supports Polish-Bulgarian cooperation in many areas of tourism and science. Collaboration and dialogue with all communities related to tourism are the foundation of my daily work. I am open to sharing best practices and proven solutions for the development of tourism,” said Gut-Mostowy while accepting the title. He delivered an academic speech on the topic “Collaboration with the tourism industry as a fundamental condition for implementing effective state policy in tourism.”

Minister of Tourism Dr. Ilin Dimitrov congratulated Mr. Andrzej Gut-Mostowy on receiving the honorary title: “I believe that our efforts are for the benefit of our societies, for their harmonious development, and for the development of tourism on a global scale.” He noted Mr. Gut-Mostowy’s contribution to the success of bilateral initiatives and relations in the field of tourism, the experts from both countries, as well as Nikolay Kostov – our tourism attache in Warsaw, who, together with Mr. Gut-Mostowy, ranks among the top 100 most influential figures in Polish tourism for the past year.