The CROCUS project explores the potential of cultural and creative tourism as a driver of sustainable development in cross-border, rural and remote areas. Through research, knowledge exchange and international cooperation, the project aims to identify new opportunities for strengthening the attractiveness and competitiveness of these destinations.
Members of the CROCUS project team from the Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management, University of Rijeka, Croatia, have actively participated in several scientific and professional conferences, sharing project results and highlighting opportunities for cultural and creative tourism development.
- International Scientific and Professional Conference “Continental Croatia: Historical Context, Current Issues and Future Perspectives”, held in Đakovo, Croatia, on 24–25 September 2025. Prof. Zrinka Zadel presented the paper “Cross-Border Cooperation in Tourism: A Conceptual Model for Tourism Destination Management.”
- ATLAS Annual Conference 2026 – “Community, Collaboration and Co-creation in Times of Crisis”, held in Leeds, United Kingdom, on 23–26 June 2026. Prof. Dora Smolčić Jurdana and Prof. Elena Rudan participated with a presentation on „Creative tourism in rural areas: development of business model in a cross-border context“.
- 10th International Conference Vallis Aurea: Economics and Tourism, held in Požega, Croatia, on 17–18 September 2026. Prof. Elena Rudan, Prof. Zrinka Zadel and Prof. Dora Smolčić Jurdana presented the paper “Creative Tourism Without Borders: Cross-Border Potentials of Rural Areas.”
- 4th Congress of Eco and Sustainable Tourism – Event Tourism, held at the Development Centre of Lika-Senj County in Gospić, Croatia, on 1–3 October 2026. Prof. Elena Rudan delivered a presentation entitled “The Role of Events in Sustainable Tourism Development: How Can a Rural Event Simultaneously Preserve Heritage and Create Local Value?”
- 8th World Congress of Education, held in Helsinki, Finland, 22-24 July 2026. Prof. Dora Smolčić Jurdana delivered a presentation entitled: „Education for Sustainable Rural Tourism Development“
These activities contribute to the international dissemination of CROCUS project results, strengthen academic and professional collaboration, and highlight the importance of cultural heritage, creativity and local community engagement in fostering sustainable tourism development in cross-border and rural destinations.
