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Natasa Slak Valek

Associate Professor
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AUH Campus
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  • 2001 Bachelor in Sport Science, Faculty of Sport, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia

  • 2008 PhD in Business Administration, Faculty of Economics, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia

  • Tourism management, Destination marketing, Sustainable Tourism, Gentrification

  • 2009-2012 University of Maribor, Slovenia, Faculty of Tourism Assistant Professor and Member of College Senate

  • 2012-2013 I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan R.O.C., International College, Assistant Professor

  • 2014 – 2017 Zayed University, United Arab Emirates, College of Communication and Media Sciences, Assistant Professor

  • 2017-2020 Zayed University, United Arab Emirates, College of Communication and Media Sciences, Associate Professor

  • 2020 -> Zayed University, United Arab Emirates, College of Business, Associate Professor

Slovenian Tourist Board

  • 2004-2009 Professional Researcher of Tourism

  • 2009-2012 Marketing Manager

  • 2013-2014 Head of Marketing and Foreign PR

Golf club Barje, Ljubljana, Slovenia

  • 2009 – 2014 Assistant to the president

  • Member of Association for Marketing of Slovenia (2014 - 2016)

  • Member of IRNIST – International Research Network in Sport Tourism (2014 -> 2017)

  • Member of TTRA – Travel and Tourism Research Association 2017 - > still

  • Member of ATLAS – The Association for Tourism and Leisure Education (2017 - >)

  • Registered researcher at Slovenian Research Agency (2008 - > 2016)

  • Member of Statistical office of the Republic of Slovenia for Tourism statistics (2006-2013)

  • Member of ETC – European Travel Commission (2008-2014)

  • Member of the Association of Sport Managers Slovenia (2012-2014)

  • Member of the Committee for writing a National Program of Sport of Slovenia (2013)

  • Slak Valek, N. (2021). Art tourism: definitions, opportunities, and discussions based on a case study from Abu Dhabi. Journal of Tourism and Cultural Change, 1-15. (Scopus, Q1, SSCI, B).

  • Slak Valek, N. (2020). Drawing a destination logo from memory and its influence on the destination perception. Journal of Destination Marketing & Management, 16 (2). (Scopus, Q1, SSCI, A)

  • Slak Valek, N., & Picherit-Duthler, G. (2020). Pushing for Gender Equality in Advertising: Gender Role Stereotypes in the United Arab Emirates. Journal of International Consumer Marketing, 1-14. (Scopus, Q2, B)

  • Williams, R. B., & Slak-Valek, N. (2019). Pokémon GO is serious leisure that increases the touristic engagement, physical activity and sense of happiness of players. Information Technology & Tourism, 21(4), 515-533. (Scopus, Q1, B)

  • Slak Valek, N., & Fotiadis, A. (2019). Happiness as a value of event organizers in Abu Dhabi. International Journal of Event and Festival Management, in press. (Scopus, Q2, B).

  • Slak Valek, N. (2019). Distinction in locals’ support for a major and mega event-the case of Expo2020 and Grand Prix F1. Event Management, 23 (6). (Scopus, Q2, A)

  • Slak Valek, N. (2018). Word-of-art: contribution of artists-in-residence to a creative tourism destination. Journal of Tourism and Cultural Change, in press. (Scopus, SSCI, Q1, B)

  • Slak Valek, N. & Williams, R. (2018). One place, two perspectives: Destination image for tourists and nationals in Abu Dhabi. Tourism Management Perspectives, 3(27), 152-161. (SSCI, Scopus, Q1, A)

  • Kotsi, F., & Slak Valek, N. (2018). Flying with Nicole Kidman or Jennifer Aniston? Brand funnel stages’ influence on brand personality. Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing, 35(3), 365-376. (Scopus, SSCI, Q1, A)

  • Slak Valek, N. (2018). The relationship between community sporting event participants and the media. The case of Abu Dhabi. Journal of Sport & Tourism, 3 (22). (Scopus, Q1, B)

  • Book

    Slak Valek, N. & Al Muhrzi, H. (2021) Women in Tourism in Asian Muslim Countries. Springer Nature. https://www.springer.com/gp/book/9789813347564

  • Slak Valek, N. (2018). Word-of-art: Contribution of artists-in-residence to a creative tourism destination. 4th International Conference on Emerging Research Paradigms in Business and Social Sciences (ERPBSS-2018), January 2018, Dubai.

    Best paper award.

  • Slak Valek, N. (2015). Abu Dhabi tourism brand between "yes" and "no". In: Wanninayake, M. C. Bandara (Ed.). Book of abstracts. Sri Lanka, Colombo: TIIKM. (pp. 12)

    Best presentation award.

  • COM 551 and COM 552 – Advanced Research Project I and II

  • COM 550 – Applied Research Seminar

  • COM 525 – Tourism in MENA region

  • COM 522 – Tourism Communication