At the Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management, Professor Emerita Ivanka Avelini was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award of the Croatian Quality Managers Society on 5 May 2026. The recognition was awarded for her long-standing contribution to the development and application of quality in tourism, hospitality and higher education.
The ceremony was attended by representatives of the Croatian Quality Managers Society and the Faculty, including the Society’s President, Prof. Krešimir Buntak, Assoc. Prof. Miroslav Drljača, long-standing President of the Society and Executive Vice President of the European Organization for Quality, the Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Marko Perić, Vice-Deans, members of the Faculty Committee for Quality Assurance and Enhancement, and Faculty staff.
On behalf of the Faculty, it was noted that the award confirms the long-standing teaching, scientific and professional work of Professor Emerita Avelini, particularly in the field of quality in tourism and hospitality. Her work is also closely linked to the development of the Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management, where she also served as Dean.
Speaking about the importance of quality, Professor Emerita Avelini said: “It has been confirmed that without quality there is no success or profit. The conditions had to be created for this to be achieved, but many changes also had to be made in management. People are the most important factor. They are the carriers of quality. You can have a beautiful hotel, but if you do not have employees and good management, that is not enough.”
She also emphasised the importance of transferring knowledge to new generations: “Learn. Pass on your knowledge and good examples from the world of tourism and hospitality so that, through education, you can contribute to the development of tourism. I would like to give you one piece of advice: do not give up on your dreams. You do not know what you are capable of until you try.”
The presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award was an opportunity to highlight Professor Emerita Avelini’s lasting contribution to the development of quality management, as well as her influence on education and practice in tourism and hospitality.
