Aspira actively participated in the 25th congress of hoteliers organized by the Association of Entrepreneurs in the Croatian Hotel Industry (UPUHH). Aspiras experts joined the leading people of Croatian tourism to highlight the key aspects of modern education and its impact on market expectations.
The Dean, Alen Jerkunica, was one of the participants in the panel called “Educational Leadership panel: challenges of contemporary education and market expectations.” Jerkunica emphasized the necessity of transforming domestic tourism, especially in the context of sustainability and continuous quality growth.
Croatia, as the closest and safest destination of the Mediterranean, faces a series of challenges in preparation for the next tourist season. With the economic slowdown across the EU, more aggressive market competition, rising costs and pressure to increase investment in sustainability, the tourism sector requires fundamental changes. Aspira recognized this challenge as an opportunity for transformation towards more sustainable tourism.
– It is our responsibility as an educational institution to ensure that future leaders in tourism possess not only the necessary knowledge but also an awareness of the importance of sustainability. Education plays a key role in shaping the experts who will lead this transformation, the dean points out.
Facing the new demands of the tourism industry requires an integrated approach to education, practice based on the real needs of the market and encouraging innovation. Aspira is committed to providing high-quality education that encourages critical thinking, creativity and a willingness to change.
The transformation of tourism towards attracting tourists year-round and creating greater added value for local communities requires a partnership between educational institutions, industry and regulatory bodies.
– Our goal is to encourage the development of regulatory frameworks that encourage sustainability and quality in tourism. The cooperation of all stakeholders is key to achieving the long-term goals of tourism development, adds Jerkunica.
Aspira Polytechnic, with its active role at the congress of hoteliers, demonstrated its commitment to shaping the future of the tourism industry through education, innovation and partnerships. Their engagement in creating more sustainable, higher quality tourism lays the foundations for changes that will have a long-term positive impact on the Croatian tourism scene.