Professor Dr Dejan Iliev

Subjects



Office 118 Direct phone +389 2 3249 703 Email diliev@pmf.ukim.mk Consultations Tuesday (10:30–12:30) and Wednesday (10:30–12:30) or by appointment via diliev@pmf.ukim.mk

Biography

Personal Information 

First name: Dejan
Last name: Iliev
Date of birth: 4 September 1981
Place of birth: Skopje, Macedonia

 

Work Address

Institute of Geography
Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
Arhimedova 3
1000 Skopje
North Macedonia

 

Contact Information
Telephone (Office): +389 2 3249 703
Institutional Email: diliev@pmf.ukim.mk
Private Email: d.iliev@hotmail.com 

 

Researcher Profiles

Web of Science ResearcherID: AAP-4972-2020
ORCID iD: 0000-0003-4846-996X
ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Dejan-Iliev
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=1a7qIe0AAAAJ

 

Current Positions

  • Full Professor, Institute of Geography, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, Skopje
  • Head of the Department of Socio-Economic Geography
  • Head of Master’s Degree Programme in Tourism

 

Highest Academic Title

  • Doctor of Geographical Sciences

 

Academic Degrees

  • Doctor of Geographical Sciences (7 July 2010)
    Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, Skopje, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Institute of Geography
    Doctoral dissertation: Tourism in Function of the Integral Development of the Republic of Macedonia
  • Master of Geographical Sciences (21 November 2007)
    Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, Skopje, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Institute of Geography
    Master’s thesis: Assessment of the Spatial Capacity of the Strumica–Radovish Valley for Sustainable Development of Economic Activities
  • BSc in Geography (14 October 2004)
    Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, Skopje, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Institute of Geography

 

Academic Positions

  • 2022 – present: Full Professor, Institute of Geography, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, Skopje
  • 2017 – 2022: Associate Professor, Institute of Geography, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, Skopje
  • 2012 – 2017: Assistant Professor, Institute of Geography, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, Skopje
  • 2011 – 2012: Teaching Assistant, Institute of Geography, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, Skopje
  • 2010 – 2011: Assistant Professor, MIT University, Skopje
  • 2008 – 2010: Teaching Assistant, Faculty of Tourism, Skopje
  • 2006 – 2008: Junior Assistant, Faculty of Tourism, Skopje

 

Previous Academic Positions

  • 2011: Vice Dean for Teaching, Faculty of Management of Ecological and Rural Tourism, MIT University, Skopje

 

Teaching Activities

  • Undergraduate studies: Lectures in the following courses: Spatial Planning; Alternative Forms of Tourism; Tourism Management; Spatial Planning and Tourism
  • Master’s studies: Lectures in the following courses: Research Methodology in Spatial Planning; Spatial Planning: Theories, Concepts and Practices; Research Methodology in Tourism; Strategic Tourism Management; Alternative Tourism
  • Doctoral studies: Lectures in the following courses: Spatial Planning and Development; Tourism Planning

 

Main Research Interests

  • Spatial Planning
  • Alternative Tourism / Special Interest Tourism
  • Tourism Planning

Books

Books

  • Iliev, D. (2021). Alternative tourism: Concept, forms and contemporary trends [in Macedonian]. Skopje: University Book.

 

Book Chapters

  • Ivanišević, M., Marjanović, M., & Iliev, D. (2021). Spatial planning and territorial governance in North Macedonia: From Socialist Yugoslavia to European integration. In E. Berisha, G. Cotella, & A. Solly (Eds.), Governing territorial development in the Western Balkans (Advances in Spatial Science, pp. 107–129). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-72124-4_6

Articles and Conferences

Published Scientific Papers 

  • Iliev, D. (2026). Non-religious motivations and experiences in religious tourism: A review, critique and future research directions. Tourism Recreation Research, 1-20. https://doi.org/10.1080/02508281.2026.2670293
  • Iliev, D. (2025). Conceptualising and operationalising green infrastructure in spatial planning: Selective embedding in transitional governance contexts (Struga and Vevchani, North Macedonia). Mitteilungen der Österreichischen Geographischen Gesellschaft, 167, 303-334. https://doi.org/10.1553/moegg167-117
  • Iliev, D. (2025). Market segmentation and supply-side drivers: Some theoretical considerations in the context of religious tourism. Tourism and Hospitality Management, 31(2), 307–311. https://doi.org/10.20867/thm.31.2.11
  • Rangelova, K., Taleska, M., & Iliev, D. (2025, May). Administrative barriers and tourism: The case of the mandatory replacement of travel documents in the Republic of North Macedonia. In Proceedings of the Eighth International Scientific Conference: Challenges of Tourism and Business Logistics in the 21st Century (pp. 185–191). Faculty of Tourism and Business Logistics, Goce Delchev University of Shtip.
  • Iliev, D., & Gadjovski, D. (2024, May). Analysis of spatial planning and green infrastructure at the local level in the area of Jablanica and recommendations for their improvement. In Proceedings from the VIth Congress of Macedonian Geographers with International Participation (pp. 105–117). Macedonian Geographical Society. https://doi.org/10.37658/MGD24105i
  • Iliev, D. (2021). A new framework to understand transit tourism-related issues on pan-European transport corridors. Mitteilungen der Österreichischen Geographischen Gesellschaft, 163, 371–389. https://doi.org/10.1553/moegg163s371
  • Iliev, D. (2021). Urban regeneration and changes driven by tourism and the ‘Skopje 2014’ project. Transylvanian Review of Administrative Sciences, 62E, 94–114. https://doi.org/10.24193/tras.62E.6
  • Iliev, D. (2021). Consumption, motivation and experience in dark tourism: A conceptual and critical analysis. Tourism Geographies: An International Journal of Tourism Space, Place and Environment, 23(5–6), 963–984. https://doi.org/10.1080/14616688.2020.1722215
  • Iliev, D. (2020). The evolution of religious tourism: Concept, segmentation and development of new identities. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management, 45, 131–140. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhtm.2020.07.012
  • Kitevski, G., & Iliev, D. (2020, November). Tourism in COVID-19 pandemic in North Macedonia: Experiences and perspectives. In Proceedings of the Third International Scientific Conference: Challenges of Tourism and Business Logistics in the 21st Century (pp. 305–314). Faculty of Tourism and Business Logistics, Goce Delchev University of Shtip.
  • Iliev, D. (2019, October). Foreign transit tourism in North Macedonia: Statistical analyses and discussion of salient issues. In Proceedings of the International Scientific Symposium: New Trends in Geography (pp. 341–350). Macedonian Geographical Society. https://doi.org/10.37658/procgeo19341i
  • Kitevski, G., & Iliev, D. (2019, October). Vulnerabilities of the small open economies: The case of North Macedonia. In Proceedings of the International Scientific Symposium: New Trends in Geography (pp. 271–278). Macedonian Geographical Society. https://doi.org/10.37658/procgeo19271k
  • Iliev, D. (2019). Evolution and changes of tourism in Macedonia in the post-socialist period (1991–2018). Journal of Geography, Politics and Society, 9(3), 23–32. https://doi.org/10.26881/jpgs.2019.3.04
  • Iliev, D. (2019). Regional disparities of socio-economic development in North Macedonia. Geographical Reviews, 52, 147–156. https://doi.org/10.37658/GR19520147i
  • Iliev, D. (2018). Interregional inequalities at NUTS level 3 in Macedonia. AUC Geographica, 53(2), 183–192. https://doi.org/10.14712/23361980.2018.18
  • Iliev, D., & Kitevski, G. (2018, April). The importance of Skopje in the regional integration of South-eastern Europe. In Proceedings of the 6th REDETE Conference: Researching Economic Development and Entrepreneurship in Transition Economies (pp. 113–127). Faculty of Economics, University of Banja Luka.
  • Iliev, D. (2018). Regional inequalities and contemporary problems in regional tourism development: A case of Macedonia. Anatolia: An International Journal of Tourism and Hospitality Research, 29(3), 368–378. https://doi.org/10.1080/13032917.2017.1422770
  • Iliev, D., & Kitevski, G. (2016, October). Transitional privatization of tourist enterprises – the main reason for non-competition and slow tourism development in the Republic of Macedonia. In Proceedings of the 5th REDETE Conference: Economic Development and Entrepreneurship in Transition Economies: Is Free Trade Working for Transitional and Developing Economies? (pp. 391–401). Faculty of Economics, University of Banja Luka.
  • Kitevski, G., Iliev, D., & Mijalov, R. (2016, October). Geopolitics of the endless transition of the Republic of Macedonia. In Proceedings of the 5th REDETE Conference: Economic Development and Entrepreneurship in Transition Economies: Is Free Trade Working for Transitional and Developing Economies? (pp. 402–407). Faculty of Economics, University of Banja Luka.
  • Iliev, D., Mijalov, R., & Kitevski, G. (2015, September). Alternative forms of tourism as a strategic solution for the problem-short tourism season in the Republic of Macedonia. In Proceedings of the V Congress of Geographers of the Republic of Macedonia (pp. 147–153). Macedonian Geographical Society.
  • Mijalov, R., Iliev, D., & Kitevski, G. (2015, September). Set-jetting in the Republic of Macedonia. In Proceedings of the V Congress of Geographers of the Republic of Macedonia (pp. 161–165). Macedonian Geographical Society.
  • Iliev, D., Taleska, M., Apostolovska Toshevska, B., & Kitevski, G. (2015). Definition, systematization and tourist potentials of the touristic space units at tourist region Strumica Radovish. Geographical Reviews, 48, 53–62.
  • Iliev, D., Mijalov, R., & Kitevski, G. (2014, April). Dynamics and level of development of the tourism sector in the Republic of Macedonia in conditions of transition and market economy. In Proceedings of the 3rd REDETE Conference: Economic Development and Entrepreneurship in Transition Economies: Challenges in the Business Environment, Barriers and Challenges for Economic and Business Development (pp. 476–486). Faculty of Economics, University of Banja Luka.
  • Mijalov, R., Iliev, D., & Kitevski, G. (2014, April). The socio-political conditions and entrepreneurship in the Republic of Macedonia. In Proceedings of the 3rd REDETE Conference: Economic Development and Entrepreneurship in Transition Economies: Challenges in the Business Environment, Barriers and Challenges for Economic and Business Development (pp. 60–67). Faculty of Economics, University of Banja Luka.
  • Mijalov, R., Iliev, D., & Kitevski, G. (2014, October). The role and importance of regionalism and globalization in culture tourism. In Proceedings of the International Tourist Forum: Spa and Wine (pp. 244–249). SWU „Neofit Rilski“ Publishing House.
  • Iliev, D. (2013, September). The importance of economic and non-economic functions of alternative forms of tourism in the development of hilly-mountain’s areas. In Proceedings of the International Scientific Symposium: Hilly Mountain Areas – Problems and Perspectives (pp. 433–441). Macedonian Geographical Society.
  • Iliev, D., & Ljakoska, M. (2013, September). Tourism and its function in the development of hilly-mountainous areas in the municipality of Radovish. In Proceedings of the International Scientific Symposium: Hilly Mountain Areas – Problems and Perspectives (pp. 377–385). Macedonian Geographical Society.
  • Apostolovska Toshevska, B., & Iliev, D. (2013, September). Infrastructure as a factor of economic-geographical and functional development of hilly, hilly-mountainous, and mountainous village settlements in the catchment area of Babuna and Topolka. In Proceedings of the International Scientific Symposium: Hilly Mountain Areas – Problems and Perspectives (pp. 275–281). Macedonian Geographical Society.
  • Ljakoska, M., & Iliev, D. (2013, September). Depopulation of the village settlements in the former municipalities Vraneshtica and Drugovo. In Proceedings of the International Scientific Symposium: Hilly Mountain Areas – Problems and Perspectives (pp. 177–183). Macedonian Geographical Society.
  • Madzevic, M., Apostolovska Toshevska, B., & Iliev, D. (2013). A process of demographic and economic polarization in the Republic of Macedonia. Geographica Pannonica, 17(2), 46–53.
  • Илиев, Д. (2013). Развој и денешни карактеристики на земјоделството во Струмичко-радовишката котлина. Годишен зборник, 39/40, 149–171.  [Iliev, D. (2013). Development and current features of agriculture in Strumica-Radovish valley. Annual, 39/40, 149–171].
  • Илиев, Д. (2012, Април). Со развојот на риболовниот туризам до продолжување на туристичката сезона на Дојранското Езеро. Во Зборник на трудови од научно-стручната трибина: Туризмот во Дојранскиот Регион (стр. 93–100). Факултет за туризам и бизнис логистика, Универзитет „Гоце Делчев“ – Штип.
  • Илиев, Д. (2012). Проблеми во туристичкиот сектор генерирани од нерамномерната временска и просторна дистрибуција на туристичките движења во Република Македонија. Географски разгледи, 46, 99–110.
  • Илиев, Д. (2011). Структурни промени и трансформација на стопанството во Република Македонија. Географски разгледи, 44/45, 97–108.
  • Илиев, Д. (2011). Современи геополитички промени и туристичко-прометна положба на Република Македонија. Во Зборник на трудови на наставниците и другите соработници на МИТ Универзитет – Скопје, 2 (стр. 217–232).
  • Илиев, Д. (2010, Октомври). Регионални диспаритети во туристичкиот развој на Република Македонија. Во Зборник на трудови од IV Конгрес на географите на Република Македонија (стр. 175–184). Македонско географско друштво.
  • Илиев, Д., & Мијалов, Р. (2010, Октомври). Значењето на морфометриските елементи на релјефот при планирањето и вреднувањето на просторот од туристички аспект. Во Зборник на трудови од IV Конгрес на географите на Република Македонија (стр. 185–192). Македонско географско друштво.
  • Илиев, Д. (2009, Октомври). Геолошките потенцијали на Струмичко-радовишката котлина во функција на одржлив развој на рударството. Во Зборник на трудови од Меѓународниот научен симпозиум: Географијата и одржливиот развој (стр. 53–62). Македонско географско друштво.
  • Мијалов, Р., & Илиев, Д. (2009, Октомври). Климата во функција на туризмот на примерот на Република Македонија. Во Зборник на трудови од Меѓународниот научен симпозиум: Географијата и одржливиот развој (стр. 375–383). Македонско географско друштво.
  • Мијалов, Р., & Илиев, Д. (2009). Некои критериуми за вреднување и определување на површините за земјоделство во Струмичко-радовишката котлина. Гласник за социо-економска географија, 3, 18–28.
  • Илиев, Д. (2009). Глобалните климатски промени и нивното влијание врз развојот на туризмот. Гласник за социо-економска географија, 3, 70–83.
  • Georgievski, M., & Iliev, D. (2009, June). Opportunities for development of manifestation tourism in the Republic of Macedonia. In Knjiga sažetaka s međunarodni naučni skup: Trendovi u razvoju turizma i hotelijerstva (pp. 56–57). Fakultet za turizam i hotelijerstvo – Kotor.
  • Georgievski, M., & Iliev, D. (2009). Mogućnosti za razvitak lovnog turizma u Republici Makedoniji. In Zbornik naučnog skupa 1: Savremene tendencije u turizmu, hotelierstvo i gastronomiji 2008 (pp. 211–213). Departman za geografiju, turizam i hotelierstvo, Prirodno-matematički fakultet – Novi Sad. 
  • Илиев, Д. (2008, Септември). Проблеми и перспективи во развојот на транзитниот туризам во Република Македонија. Во Зборник на трудови од Меѓународниот симпозиум: Туризмот во 21-от  век (стр. 759-767). Факултет за туризам – Скопје.
  • Мијалов, Р., & Илиев, Д. (2008). Влијанието на природните и антропогените фактори врз развојот на туризмот во Струмичко-радовишкиот туристички регион. Гласник за социо-економска географија, 2, 26–40. [Mijalov, R., & Iliev, D. (2008). Influence of natural and anthropogenic factors upon tourism development in the Strumica-Radovish tourist region. Herald for socio-economic geography, 2, 26–40].
  • Илиев, Д. (2008). Развој на сообраќајот и сообраќајната инфраструктура во Струмичко-радовишката котлина. Гласник за социо-економска географија, 2, 104–120. [Iliev, D. (2008). Traffic and traffic infrastructure development in the Strumica-Radovish valley. Herald for socio-economic geography, 2, 104–120].
  • Мијалов, Р., & Илиев, Д. (2008). Трансформација на селското стопанство и искористување на земјиштето во атарот на с. Воиславци. Гласник за социо-економска географија, 1, 75–85.

 

Participation in International Scientific Events (Conferences, Symposia, Congresses) 

  • EUROGEO Conference: Humanising Geography: People, Place and Space in a Global World, May 16–18, 2025, Skopje, North Macedonia.
  • Eighth International Scientific Conference: Challenges of Tourism and Business Logistics in the 21st Century, May 7, 2025, Skopje, North Macedonia.
  • VIth Congress of Macedonian Geographers with International Participation, May 29–30, 2024, Ohrid, North Macedonia.
  • Third International Scientific Conference: Challenges of Tourism and Business Logistics in the 21st Century, November 13, 2020, Shtip, North Macedonia.
  • International Scientific Symposium: New Trends in Geography, October 3–4, 2019, Ohrid, North Macedonia.
  • 6th REDETE Conference: Researching Economic Development and Entrepreneurship in Transition Economies, April 13–15, 2018, Banja Luka, Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
  • 5th REDETE Conference: Economic Development and Entrepreneurship in Transition Economies: Is Free Trade Working for Transitional and Developing Economies?, October 28–30, 2016, Belgrade, Serbia.
  • V Congress of Geographers of the Republic of Macedonia, September 26–29, 2015, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia.
  • 3rd REDETE Conference: Economic Development and Entrepreneurship in Transition Economies: Challenges in the Business Environment, Barriers and Challenges for Economic and Business Development, April 10–12, 2014, Banja Luka, Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
  • International Tourist Forum: Spa and Wine, October 16–20, 2014, Sandanski (Bulgaria) – Corfu (Greece).
  • International Scientific Symposium: Hilly Mountain Areas – Problems and Perspectives, September 12–15, 2013, Ohrid, Republic of Macedonia.
  • 32nd International Geographical Congress, August 26–30, 2012, Cologne, Germany.
  • Научно-стручна трибина: Туризмот во Дојранскиот Регион, April 20, 2012, Dojran, Republic of Macedonia.
  • IV Congress of Geographers of the Republic of Macedonia, October 7–10, 2010, Dojran, Republic of Macedonia.
  • International Scientific Symposium: Geography and Sustainable Development, October 22–25, 2009, Ohrid, Republic of Macedonia.
  • Međunarodni naučni skup: Trendovi u razvoju turizma i hotelijerstva, June 1–2, 2009, Kotor, Crna Gora.
  • Međunarodni naučni skup: Savremene tendencije u turizmu, hotelijerstvo i gastronomiji 2008, 2009, Novi Sad, Serbia.
  • International Symposium: Tourism in the 21st Century, September 26–27, 2008, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia.

Other activities

Membership in Scientific Committees and Peer Review Activities (selected)

  • Member of the Scientific Committee, EUROGEO Conference (2025): “Humanising Geography: People, Place, and Space in a Global World”.
  • Peer reviewer for the following journals:
    – Tourism Review (WoS, SSCI)
    – Tourism Management Perspectives (WoS, SSCI)
    – Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Research (WoS, SSCI)
    – Tourism Geographies (WoS, SSCI)
    – Current Issues in Tourism (WoS, SSCI)
    – Journal of Tourism and Cultural Change (WoS, SSCI)
    – Leisure Sciences (WoS, SSCI)
    – Tourism Recreation Research (WoS, ESCI)
    – Journal of Heritage Tourism (WoS, ESCI)
    – Anatolia (WoS, ESCI)

 

Faculty Commissions for Study Programmes

  • Commission for Bachelor’s Degree Study Programme in Tourism (four-year studies) – President and Member
  • Commission for Master’s Degree Study Programme in Tourism (one-year studies) – President
  • Commission for Master’s Degree Study Programme in Tourism (two-year studies) – President
  • Commission for Master’s Degree Study Programme in Spatial Planning (one-year studies) – President
  • Commission for Doctoral Degree Study Programme in Geography (three-year studies) – Member

 *All study programmes are approved by the Agency for Quality in Higher Education.

 

Professional Memberships and Affiliations

  • Member of the Macedonian Geographical Society
  • Member of the Agency for Promotion and Support of Tourism of the Republic of North Macedonia
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