The BET National Report for Croatia provides an in-depth overview of current and future skills needs in the Croatian tourism sector and highlights the key competences required to respond to sustainability challenges, digital transformation, changing visitor expectations, and increasing climate and market-related risks.
📊 Based on quantitative research, expert interviews and desk research, the report reveals a significant gap between the perceived importance of competences and their actual presence in education and professional practice.
The most significant gaps were identified in areas such as:
🌱 regenerative tourism and climate-risk management
💻 data analytics, artificial intelligence and smart-destination systems
💡 carrying-capacity management and sustainable business models
🛡️ cybersecurity and crisis decision-making
🎨 emotional intelligence, adaptability and interdisciplinary collaboration
The research also confirms a growing need for new and updated occupational profiles, while highlighting the importance of integrating emerging competences into existing tourism roles.
🎓 Stakeholders expressed a clear preference for blended learning, practical and project-based approaches, simulations, living-lab models and micro-credentials, with ECTS recognition and Europass Digital Credentials seen as particularly valuable.
The report also identifies key barriers to skills development, including limited time, a lack of qualified trainers, budget constraints and limited staff capacity.
These findings provide a strong evidence base for the next phases of the Erasmus+ BET – Alliance for Skills, Sustainability, and Innovation in Emerging Tourism Types project and the development of competence frameworks, curricula and flexible learning pathways tailored to the needs of the Croatian tourism ecosystem.