The Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management (University of Rijeka) is pleased to welcome colleagues from partner universities across Europe to our International Week 2026, held in the beautiful coastal town of Opatija.
The programme is designed to inspire dialogue, strengthen cooperation, and create a meaningful exchange of knowledge among academic and administrative staff.

Below is a detailed overview of the week’s activities.

Day 1 – Welcome & Introduction

Focus: Building connections, understanding the goals of the week, and introducing participants to Opatija and FMTU.

The week begins with participant registration followed by a welcome coffee in the faculty atrium.
A formal opening session introduces the mission of the International Week, highlighting the importance of international collaboration in tourism and hospitality education.
Throughout the day, participants engage in interactive discussions on sustainable tourism and share examples of best practices from their home institutions.

Day 2 – Knowledge Exchange & Practical Insights

Focus: Thematic workshops, panels, and case studies.

The second day features parallel panel discussions on topics such as digital transformation in tourism, destination marketing, and community engagement.
Participants will begin the afternoon with a guided introduction to Opatija’s tourism offer, exploring the contrast between the town’s oldest historic hotel and its newest contemporary property. This comparative visit provides valuable insight into the evolution of hospitality, architectural heritage, and modern guest expectations.

Afterwards, the group will enjoy a relaxing joint lunch at a local restaurant. This shared meal provides an ideal opportunity for informal conversation, cultural exchange, and strengthening connections among participants.

The day concludes with an informal social gathering, creating space for continued networking and open conversation among participants.

Day 3 – THI Conference 2026

Focus: Participation in the 28th International Congress: Tourism & Hospitality Industry 2026 – Trends & Challenges.

Participants take part in plenary sessions delivered by internationally recognised experts and attend thematic tracks covering sustainable tourism, digitalisation, visitor experience, and hospitality innovation.
Coffee breaks, lunch sessions, and conference networking moments offer opportunities to connect with researchers and professionals from across the world.
In the evening, the conference gala event brings together participants for an inspiring and celebratory experience in a formal setting.

Day 4 – Applying Knowledge in Practice

Focus: Implementation, partnership development, and field experiences.

The day begins with a workshop dedicated to implementing internationalisation strategies and measuring their impact.
A partnership session follows, focusing on building and maintaining strong academic and administrative collaborations.
In the afternoon, participants embark on a study visit to a local tourism business or cultural attraction, providing practical insight into the regional tourism ecosystem.
The day concludes with an informal networking reception that encourages reflection and future planning.

Day 5 – Closing Session & Future Perspectives

Focus: Summarising results, outlining next steps, and strengthening long-term cooperation.

The final day includes a plenary session summarising the outcomes of the week and presenting action plans developed in group activities.
Participants share key takeaways and discuss how they plan to integrate new knowledge into their institutional practices.
A closing lunch provides a final opportunity for networking and planning future collaborations.

We look forward to welcoming you to Opatija!

International Week @ FMTU 2026 is an opportunity to learn, connect, and experience the unique charm of one of Croatia’s most iconic tourist destinations.
Through meaningful exchange and collaboration, we aim to strengthen international ties and build new bridges for academic and professional development.

Application deadline: November 15, 2025

Participation fee: 150 €

Application form: https://forms.gle/Uhikr893AZroUXB7A

Location

Google maps

The nearest airports:

The nearest train stations:

Getting around by car

If you are looking for other possible accommodation, use these place names to find the accommodation near the faculty: Ika (small town where the Faculty is located), Ičići (small town near the Faculty), Lovran (20 minutes walk from the centre to the Faculty or 10 minutes by bus line 32), Opatija (20 minutes by bus line 32) and Rijeka (20 kilometers or 55 minutes by bus line 32 to the Faculty).

Opatija
Opatija, 13 km to the west of Rijeka is situated in the Kvarner bay in a sheltered position at the foot of the mountain Učka. It had been a small, romete fishermen’s village until the middle of the 19th century. Opatija (in German and Italian Abbazia) got its name after the Benedictine abbey situated in the center of Opatija.
The town’s modern history began in the middle of the 19th century, when Villa Angiolina was built.

At that time many celebrities from metropolises of Zagreb, Vienna, and Budapest came to spend time at “Angiolina“ and in Opatija. Opatija became a fashionable destination for the Austrian imperial family and Austrian nobility. Soon the luxury hotels and grand belle époque residences and villas were built. The first luxury hotel – Hotel “Quarnero” (today “Grand Hotel Kvarner”) was built in 1884. The hotel Kronprinzessin Stephanie was opened in 1885. Opatija’s first guide was published in Vienna in 1883 with the title Abbazia, Idylle von der Adria.
For more info please visit https://www.visitopatija.com/en

Lovran
For millennia, Lovran has been a magnetic draw for travelers, enthralling them with its breathtaking coastal vistas that make bidding farewell a challenge. As the oldest settlement along the Opatija Riviera, its roots trace back to the 1st century BC, where legend has it that Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa, a Roman patrician revered as a statesman, general, and cartographer, selected this locale as his dwelling. Dating back to the 7th century, the town’s earliest reference as Lauriana sheds light on its nomenclature, derived from the fragrant laurel that continues to infuse Lovran’s atmosphere with its distinctive aroma.
Evolving around the fortified mandrać, a harbor linking Lovran to both nearby and distant destinations, the medieval township burgeoned. Naturally, the harbor also enticed adventurers who extolled the beauty and significance of this town nestled where the slopes of Učka meet the
Adriatic Sea.

In the 12th century, Lovran’s shipbuilders and sailors garnered acclaim from the esteemed Arab cartographer al-Idrisi. Centuries later, the illustrious travel writer Johann Valvasor commended the region’s bounty, marveling not only at the aromatic laurel but also at the luscious chestnuts and succulent cherries unique to Lovran. These fruits, unrivaled in flavor, remain foundational to the local gastronomic identity.
For more info please visit https://visitlovran.com/en/home/

Account holder: University of Rijeka, Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management, Opatija

Adress: Primorska 46, Ika, 51410 Opatija, Croatia

Beneficiary account: HR1323600001101496052

SWIFT: ZABAHR2X

AMOUNT: 150 €

Correspondent bank: Zagrebačka banka, Trg bana Jelaćića 10, 10 000 Zagreb

Reference number: 29211219

Centre for International Relations

international@fthm.hr

+385 51 294 202

USEFUL INFORMATION KVARNER REGION – http://www.kvarner.hr/en/tourism/plan_a_trip/Useful_information/tips_for_tourists

TOURIST BOARD OPATIJA – https://www.visitopatija.com/hr

TOURIST BOARD LOVRAN – https://visitlovran.com/

TOURIST BOARD RIJEKA – https://visitrijeka.hr/