Prof. Marinela Krstinić Nižić, PhD, Vice Dean for Development at the Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management, participated in the conference “Sustainable Cities as Support for Sustainable Tourism and the Economy”, held on 8 May 2026 in Rijeka.
The conference brought together representatives of the public sector, the economy, the academic community and international institutions, and was dedicated to examining the sustainable development of cities in the context of tourism, economic changes and increasingly pronounced climate challenges. The discussions focused on responsible management of space and resources, strengthening the resilience of urban environments, the application of smart technologies, and the development of models that connect economic progress with the quality of life of the local community.
Prof. Marinela Krstinić Nižić, PhD, participated in the panel “Business Opportunities of Sustainable Tourism”, which discussed the opportunities that sustainable approaches create for the development of tourist destinations, the economy and local communities. The panel emphasized the importance of connecting scientific insights, strategic management and practice in shaping tourism models that simultaneously foster competitiveness and the responsible use of space and resources.
Through expert presentations and panels, the importance of cooperation among different sectors in shaping cities capable of responding to the needs of residents, visitors and the economy was emphasized. Special emphasis was placed on sustainable tourism, the circular economy, digital and green transition, and the consideration of new approaches to destination management and urban development.
At a time when sustainability is becoming one of the key prerequisites for competitiveness, connecting scientific insights, public policies and practice remains important for shaping long-term sustainable solutions in tourism and the economy.
The conference was organized by the Croatian Society for Corporate Governance and Management, together with ESG Point, with the support of the City of Rijeka, under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism and Sport of the Republic of Croatia and in partnership with the European Commission.
