The New Generation Shapes the Future of Tourism
From March 25 to 29, 2026, the Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management was the gathering center for young leaders, experts, and students from across the region as part of the fifth edition of the WAVE 4 Tourism (W4T) conference. Under this year’s umbrella theme LEGACY, the conference emphasized the importance of continuity, growth, and the long-term impact of youth on the development of the tourism industry.
In the introductory part of the conference, the attendees were addressed by the Dean, Prof. Dr. Marko Perić, Vice-Rector Prof. Dr. Sandra Janković, President of the FMTU Student Council Zoia Dimić, and student Dora Buljanović on behalf of the FMTU organizing team.
During the five-day program, participants took part in a series of educational and interactive workshops (Mixology Lab, Beauty Workshop, Flavours of the Forest, Sea & Sip, Digital Detox Lab), which enabled the acquisition of practical skills. Alongside the professional segment, the program included sports competitions, excursions, and evening gatherings.
Focus on Innovation, Sustainability, and Entrepreneurship
The central part of the conference was held on March 27 at FMTU, bringing together prominent experts, entrepreneurs, and creatives. The program was moderated by Matea Starčević and Filip Štimac, and the discussions were structured around key thematic units:
- Leisure & Accommodation: Discussions focused on the impact of travel on personal development and the importance of accommodation in creating an authentic experience. Speakers included Riva Pauletić and Branka Čolić.
- Ecology: Sustainability in the event industry was the focus of Maja Bosanac Domijan’s presentation, with an emphasis on reducing the negative environmental impact of events.
- Gastronomy: Gastronomic recognizability and innovations were discussed by David Skoko, Leo Jurešić, Juraj Klepić, and Miroslav Mirković, highlighting the importance of local ingredients, creativity, and digital platforms.
- Connecting & Youth: Young entrepreneurs and innovators (Ana and Nika from Annika. ceramics, Goran Čipčić, Ivona Poljak, and Karlo Džafić) presented their successful stories, ranging from launching their own brands to applying robotics in the industry.
Special Thanks to the Organizing Team and Volunteers
The successful realization of this year’s conference is the result of the dedicated work of the student organizing team and the support of the teaching staff. The project involved Prof. Dr. Daniela Gračan, Prof. Dr. Elena Rudan, Senior Assistant Dr. Romina Agbaba, and Assistants Dea Dević and Sandra Kukić.
The organization was led by students: Dora Buljanović (Project Coordinator), Domina Babić (Head of the Program Section) alongside Ivana Horvat and Natalija Sedlar, Luka Radić (Head of the Activities and Entertainment Section) alongside Iva Nikolić, Dora Pleše, and Karla Rodeš, and Karolina Nekić (Head of the Marketing Section) alongside Ivana Jelečević and Ana Jakšić. Special thanks also go to the large number of student volunteers whose contribution was invaluable to the success of the conference.
This year’s edition of the WAVE 4 Tourism conference once again confirmed that young people are not only the future of the industry but its active drivers. Through knowledge exchange, innovative ideas, and networking, W4T continues to build its Legacy story.
