BIP Week in Brežice: International Collaboration and Innovative Tourism Concepts
In March, the Faculty of Tourism at the University of Maribor hosted the Erasmus Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) week, which took place in Brežice. The program brought together partners from Finland (Lapland University of Applied Sciences), Slovenia (Faculty of Tourism UM), Spain (Autonomous University of Barcelona), and, for the first time, Serbia (Singidunum University). This was the third edition of such collaboration, following two successful implementations in Finland.
This year’s program, titled "Tasting Trails: Intensive Program on Cultural Heritage, Food & Wine Tourism Design," was conducted in two parts. From February to March, over 30 participants attended online lectures every Tuesday and Thursday. From March 17 to 21, they gathered in Brežice, where they spent five days intensively exploring cultural heritage, gastronomy, and sustainable approaches to tourism.
The first day was dedicated to getting to know the destination. Students explored the historic center of Brežice, visited the Posavje Museum and the Water Tower, and learned about key landmarks shaping the identity of the town through a guided tour. The following day, they attended lectures on the future of tourism and the role of technology in enhancing visitor experiences. Later, they visited Reset Brewery, where they explored the connection between tradition, innovation, and tourism through the example of a local business.
On Wednesday, a full-day excursion to Podčetrtek followed, where participants visited TIC Piki, the local monastery, and a chocolate shop, concluding with a culinary experience at Amon. These experiences provided them with insights into how local heritage and gastronomy intertwine with modern tourism trends.
After three days of exploration, the main challenge followed – designing a one-day tourism program for Brežice in 2035. Students were divided into six international groups, each tasked with developing a program for one of three target groups: young adults (18–30 years old), families with children (5–15 years old), and senior visitors over 60 years old.
Each pair of groups created a program for the same target audience and then competed in presentations. The winning teams advanced to the final round, where they had five minutes to present and justify why their program was the best. The evaluation process combined votes from both professors and students, with mentors contributing half of the final score and participants the other half.
The week concluded with project presentations, a certificate ceremony, and an informal gathering where participants exchanged impressions and experiences. Once again, BIP proved to be an excellent opportunity for developing innovative tourism solutions, strengthening international cooperation, and opening new possibilities.
Next year, the event will take place in Brežice again, while in the long run, there is a possibility that Belgrade will host it in 2027, coinciding with the World Expo. Brežice has once again proven to be a destination rich in cultural and gastronomic heritage, offering numerous opportunities for the development of sustainable and innovative tourism.
