After a semester spent in Breda, the Netherlands, where they studied design thinking and destination management, the students of the 3rd cohort of the Master of Sustainable Outdoor Hospitality Management programme are this semester at the Faculty of Management in Tourism and Hospitality focused on operations, management, and the development of innovative projects.
To gain practical competencies and knowledge from best-in-class examples, the students spent a week of field study from 13 to 17 April in the mobile homes of Camping Istra 5*, Croatia’s best campsite. The field study serves as a practical incubator for future camping managers and is structured so that students daily explore the practical application of everything they have studied theoretically this semester.
Throughout the intensive week, students covered all key aspects of campsite management:
- Monday: Together with Prof. Marinella Krstinić Nižić and Assoc. Prof. Ana Marija Vrtodušić Hrgović, as well as representatives of the campsite, students explored the implementation of best sustainable practices.
- Tuesday: The day was dedicated to shadowing the main departments of the camping resort. Together with Asst. Prof. Josipa Cvelić Bonifačić, students took part in the work of housekeeping, reception, sports, animation, and the food and beverage (F&B) department. A meeting with management was also held, and campsite manager Nataša Radešić introduced them to corporate management practices and the relationships between specialised services and the campsite.
- Wednesday: As part of the course Outdoor Hospitality Innovation with Asst. Prof. Josipa Cvelić Bonifačić, students worked on a project for the transformation of Camping Solaris into a 5-star campsite. They researched employee satisfaction and competitor organisation, and conducted interviews with management. They also visited Camping Lanterna, the largest campsite in Europe, where they encountered numerous innovative solutions.
- Thursday: Together with Prof. Sandra Janković at Camping Solaris, students developed key performance indicators (KPIs) for a future campsite and created management reporting frameworks.
- Friday: The final day was dedicated to guest relations and sales. Together with Assoc. Prof. Marina Laškarin, students visited the call centre and, alongside marketing manager Hermina Maras, gained insight into the marketing and sales activities of a 5-star campsite.
We extend our sincere gratitude for the exceptional hospitality of Valamar Riviera d.d. and Camping Istra, Lanterna, and Solaris, who not only welcomed our students but generously shared their time, expertise, and experience in campsite management, and made their facilities and resources available to them. Thank you to all the managers for so
