The Minister of Tourism and Sport, Tonči Glavina, visited the Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management in Opatija, University of Rijeka, where he delivered a lecture to undergraduate university students and faculty members on the current challenges facing Croatian tourism.
During the lecture, the Minister emphasized the importance of the academic community’s role in developing a competitive, innovative, and sustainable tourism sector, stressing that knowledge, research, and collaboration with higher education institutions are key to the further development of Croatian tourism. The Minister highlighted the significance of learning and lifelong education in tourism, which constantly faces new demands from the tourist market. Students had the opportunity to ask questions and participate in a discussion about future challenges and opportunities in the field of tourism.
As part of the visit, a working meeting was held between the Minister and the management of the Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management, where they discussed the development of study programs aligned with the needs of the labor market and the strengthening of scientific-research and professional projects in the field of tourism and sustainable development.
The Dean, Prof. Dr. Sc. Marko Perić, thanked the Minister for his visit and emphasized the importance of connecting the academic community with its environment, especially the Ministry of Tourism and Sport, in order to improve higher education and practice in Croatian tourism.
The visit concluded with a mutual emphasis on the importance of continuous dialogue between educational institutions and the Ministry of Tourism and Sport to ensure the sustainable development of tourism and the quality education of future experts.
