A new generation of Tourism graduates
A new generation of 25 Diplomates and Masters of the Faculty of Tourism of the University of Maribor received their Bachelor's and Master's diplomas at a graduation ceremony on Thursday, 6 June 2024. They were presented with their diplomas by the Dean of the Faculty of Tourism, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Marjetka Rangus.
On 6 June 2024, the Faculty of Tourism of the University of Maribor welcomed the ninth generation of graduates of higher professional, university and master's degree programmes, who received their diploma and master's diploma certificates in the solemn atmosphere of the Knights' Hall of the Brežice Castle.
The 8 graduates of the Professional Degree Programme, 10 graduates of the University Degree Programme and 7 graduates of the Master's Degree Programme who graduated between March 2023 and March 2024 were awarded their diplomas and Master's Degree certificates for the first time in this capacity by the Dean of the Faculty of Tourism of the University of Maribor, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Marjetka Rangus.
This year's keynote speaker was Mr Boštjan Misja, Director of Tourism Podčetrtek, Bistrica ob Sotli and Kozje, who had a few encouraging words for the graduates as they began their careers.
In her speech, student representative Jožica Vohar, a graduate of the Master's degree programme, thanked all those who had participated and helped in their success and looked back on the journey they had travelled and, above all, the one that lay ahead of them.
The event was enlivened by performances by Katarina Petrič and Martin Urek, students of the Brežice Music School, and moderated by Lect. Hana Kuhar. The gathering continued in a relaxed atmosphere in the beautiful castle courtyard.
The Faculty of Tourism is proud of the 2024 generation and would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the graduates and wish them good luck, perseverance in their future path and good use of the knowledge they have acquired.
List of graduates and their final theses
Professional Studies Programme Tourism and Contemporary Tourism Practices
BRIGITA BURUŠIĆ graduated under the mentorship of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Barbara Pavlakovič Farrell and co-mentorship of Mateja Bašić with the title PERCEIVED VALUE OF THE DESTINATION "MUNICIPALITY OF MURTER-KORNATI".
TARIK DŽINIĆ graduated under the mentorship of Prof. Dr. Boštjan Brumen with the title EMPLOYING AI TOOLS IN TOURISM: A QUALITATIVE STUDY OF SOCIAL MEDIA CONTENT GENERATION IN A WORK ENVIRONMENT.
BERINA HALILOVIĆ graduated under the supervision of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Maja Turnšek with the title ATTITUDES OF LOCALS TOWARDS FILM FESTIVALS IN SARAJEVO.
NIKA IZA JARC graduated under the mentorship of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Marko Koščak and co-mentorship of Assist. Nejc Pozvek with the title CHALLENGES OF HIGH MOUNTAIN TOURISM IN THE MOUNT EVEREST REGION AND SUGGESTIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT.
TADEJ NERED graduated under the mentorship of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jasna Potočnik Topler with the title COMMUNICATION SKILLS OF A TOURIST GUIDE AND THEIR REPRESENTATION IN MOVIES MY LIFE IN RUINS AND JUNGLE CRUISE.
ANAMARI PUŠNIK graduated under the mentorship of Assist. Prof. Dr. Barbara Pavlakovič Farrell and co-mentorship of Assist. Nejc Pozvek with the title STRATEGIC PLANNING IN TOURISM - STARTING POINTS FOR THE TOURISM DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY OF HRASTNIK.
ALEKSANDAR TANASIĆ graduated under the mentorship of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Barbara Pavlakovič Farrell with a thesis entitled SAFETY PROTOCOLS IN TRAFFIC AFTER THE PANDEMIC - THE WESTERN BALKANS EXAMPLE.
NIKOLA TANASIĆ graduated under the mentorship of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Marko Koščak and the co-mentorship of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tomi Špindler with the title CULTURAL AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL TREASURE AS AN ASPECT OF SUSTAINABLE AND RESPONSIBLE TOURISM IN THE TREBINJSKO-FOČANSKA REGION.
University study programme Tourism and Tourism: Cooperation and Development
MOJCA BRAČUN graduated under the mentorship of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Saša Poljak Istenič and the co-mentorship of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vita Petek with the title DEVELOPMENT OF WINE TOURISM IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF PODČETRTEK.
KATJA FAKIN graduated under the mentorship of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jasna Potočnik Topler with the title REPRESENTATION OF DESTINATIONS AND EFFECTS OF TOURISM IN THE FILMS DIRTY GRANDPA AND EAT, PRAY, LOVE.
KARMEN JARKOVIČ graduated under the mentorship of Prof. Dr. Mitja Gorenak with the title WORKING ENVIRONMENT CUSTOMIZED FOR GENERATION »Z« - A CASE STUDY OF STUDENT AT FACULTY OF TOURISM.
NIKA MARTINA MIŠIĆ graduated under the mentorship of Assist. Prof. Dr. Maja Borlinič Gačnik with the title DEVELOPMENT OF LOCAL EVENT "SUMMER IN SAMOBOR".
LOVRO MRKONJIĆ graduated under the mentorship of Assist. Prof. Dr. Saša Poljak Istenič and co-mentorship of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vita Petek with the title WINE TOURISM OF TOWN SAMOBOR.
KATARINA OŠTRBENK graduated under the mentorship of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Maja Turnšek and co-supervision of Assist. Tjaša Alegro with the title 360° VIRTUAL TOURS IN TOURISM.
MIRJANA PESHEVSKA graduated under the mentorship of Assist. Prof. Dr. Saša Poljak Istenič and co-mentorship of Assist. Prof. Dr. Vita Petek with the title GASTRONOMIC TOURISM IN OHRID.
VERA STEPANOV graduated under the mentorship of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Maja Turnšek and co-mentorship of Assist. Katja Kokot with the title THE ANALYSIS OF THE POSSIBILITY OF INCLUDING SLOVENIAN HEALTH RESORTS IN THE »EUROPEAN ROUTE OF HISTORIC THERMAL TOWNS«.
NATAN TOPIĆ graduated under the mentorship of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Marjetka Rangus with the title THE ROLES OF LOCAL COMMUNITY IN THE TOURIST DEVELOPMENT OF THE CITY OF SAMOBOR.
MILICA VUČIĆ graduated under the mentorship of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Maja Turnšek with the title YOUTH SELF-REPORTING ON CHANGES IN MOTIVATION FOR TRAVELLING AFTER THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.
Master's study programme Tourism and Destinations and Experiences
LUKA GOŠEK completed his Master's degree under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Jana Goriup with the title GEN Z AND DARK TOURISM ATTRACTIONS BASED ON SERIAL KILLERS.
MARICA ILIĆ completed her Master's thesis under the supervision of Assist. Prof. Dr. Milica Rančić Demir and the supervision of Assist. Prof. Dr. Andreja Trdina with the title CHALLENGES AND ADVANTAGES OF USING MOBILE APPLICATIONS IN ACCESSIBLE TOURISM: UNDERSTANDING THE PERCEPTION OF SIGN LANGUAGE USERS.
EVA NOVAK SVETIČ completed her Master's thesis under the mentorship of Assist. Prof. Dr. Andreja Trdina and the co-mentorship of Assist. Prof. Dr. Anja Mlakar with the thesis "EL CAMINO CALLS" CONTEMPORARY PILGRIMAGES THROUGH MOTIVES AND IDENTITY PROCESSES: THE CASE OF SLOVENIAN PILGRIMS ON THE EL CAMINO ROUTE.
ELIZABETA STRUNJAK completed her Master's thesis under the supervision of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Marko Koščak entitled DEVELOPMENT OF SUSTAINABLE TOURISM IN PROTECTED AREAS WHIT A VISITORS MANAGEMENT MODEL: THE EXAMPLE OF SPECIAL BOTANICAL RESERVE DUBRAVICA.
ARIANE VLAHEN completed her Master's degree under the supervision of Assist. Prof. Dr. Andreja Trdina and the co-mentorship of Salla Jutila, Ma. Soc. Sc with the title MEDIA CONSTRUCTIONS OF TRAVEL-RELATED EMOTIONS: THE CASES OF FLIGHT SHAME AND TRAIN BRAG.
JOŽICA VOHAR completed her Master's degree under the supervision of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Maja Turnšek and co-supervision of Assist. Tjaša Alegro with the title CURRENT STATE AND POSSIBILITIES FOR THE INCLUSION OF DESIGN THINKING IN THE SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHING OF HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM.
ŽIGA ZDOVC completed his Master's degree under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Boštjan Brumen with the title THE RISE OF BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY - A STUDY OF THE ACCEPTANCE OF CRYPTOCURRENCIES IN THE SLOVENIAN HOTEL INDUSTRY.
Take a stroll along the Path of Love in Brežice with our master's student, Patricija Zorič. This video was created as part of the English in Tourism - Higher Level 2 course within the master's program in Tourism Destinations and Experiences. Patricija is also local tourist guide in Brežice.
May 8th - SLOVENIAN-BRITISH FRIENDSHIP DAY is also celebrated at the Faculty of Tourism, as we have excellent collaborations with the academic community in the United Kingdom. Dr. Charles Mansfield, the principal of UK Management College, speaks about one of them in a video.
The FT UM will organize several joint events with UKMC this week to commemorate the Slovenian-British Friendship Day in the academic environment. The classrooms will be lively, especially as we connect with colleagues and students in the UK through modern technologies. The Faculty of Tourism UM initiated the event, and UKMC gladly joined the initiative. Among other activities, we will invite our English friends to Slovenia and, of course, to Brežice. Our student and local tourist guide, Patricija Zorič, will take them along the Path of Love. Our collaboration will be presented through various stories and presentations of joint projects by Dr. Jasna Potočnik Topler and Dr. Charles Mansfield from UKMC.
May 8th commemorates an event from 1945 when local Slovenians helped rescue British RAF aircrew after their bomber was shot down during World War II. Official celebrations take place in Gornji Suhor, a village in southeast Slovenia. Friendship Day between the United Kingdom and Slovenia is celebrated through the organization of numerous cultural, artistic, and educational activities.
The University of Maribor is delighted to announce the successful conclusion of the kick-off meeting for the CROCUS project, held from April 22 to 24, 2024, at Aalborg University. CROCUS, an acronym for "Cultural and Creative Tourism in Rural and Remote Areas: Sustainable Business Models, Cooperation, and Policies," sets out to rejuvenate rural and remote areas (RRA) by leveraging the potential of cultural and creative tourism (CCT).
Within the University of Maribor the project involves the Faculty of Economics and Business and the Faculty of Tourism.
The meeting witnessed dynamic discussions and collaborative efforts among project partners from across Europe, laying the groundwork for innovative solutions to the socio-economic challenges faced by RRAs. Participants delved into the project's key objectives, strategies, and anticipated outcomes, showcasing a shared commitment to fostering sustainable development in these regions.
Key highlights of the kick-off meeting include:
- Strategic Planning: Partners engaged in strategic planning sessions to outline the project's roadmap, defining clear objectives and milestones for the upcoming phases.
- Knowledge Exchange: Scholars and practitioners exchanged insights and experiences, contributing valuable perspectives on the challenges and opportunities inherent in promoting CCT in RRAs.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Discussions emphasized the importance of stakeholder engagement and collaboration at local, regional, and international levels to ensure the success and sustainability of project initiatives.
Henrik Halkier, Project Coordinator and Professor at the Department of Culture and Learning, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Aalborg, expressed his enthusiasm for the project's potential impact, stating, "The kick-off meeting marks the beginning of an exciting journey towards revitalizing rural areas through cultural and creative tourism. With the collective expertise and dedication of our partners, we are poised to drive positive change and create lasting benefits for these communities."
Looking ahead, the CROCUS project will embark on a series of activities aimed at generating knowledge, developing innovative business models, and formulating policy recommendations to support sustainable tourism development in RRAs. Through collaborative efforts and interdisciplinary approaches, the project aims to unlock the untapped potential of cultural heritage as a driver of economic growth and social cohesion in rural and remote areas across Europe.
For media inquiries and further information about the CROCUS project, please contact:
Ddr. Tina Šegota, Faculty of Tourism University of Maribor, tina.segota@um.si
We would like to inform you that both the Brežice and Ljubljana locations of the Faculty of Tourism UM will be closed from April 29, 2024, to May 3, 2024, due to holidays and collective leave. During this time, there will be no academic activities or other events at the Faculty. We look forward to seeing you again on May 6th!
We are announcing the 2024/2025 Call for Enrolment in Postgraduate Study Programmes (masters and doctoral) of the University of Maribor. The first application period opened on 29 March 2024.
The first application period for enrolment in the first year of master's studies Tourism destinations and experiences will remain open until:
- 6 September 2024 for citizens of the Republic of Slovenia and EU Member States as well as Slovenians without Slovenian citizenship;
- 31 May 2024 for citizens of non-EU Member States.
The first application period for enrolment in the first year of doctoral studies Contemporary tourism studies will remain open until:
- 6 September 2024 for citizens of the Republic of Slovenia and EU Member States;
- 31 May 2024 for Slovenians without Slovenian citizenship and citizens of non-EU Member States.
More about postgraduate study at Faculty of Tourism UM: Study tourism - Faculty of Tourism (um.si)
The students and staff of the FT UM, with the support of the local community, planted the first 5 trees of the future park on Maistrova Street in Brežice last Friday. The activity was carried out as part of our now traditional Mix & Mingle events, which are aimed at connecting all students of the Faculty of Tourism at the University of Maribor.
On Friday, March 22, 2024, we held two intertwined events. At the Youth Center Brežice, we gathered more than twenty employers from the tourism sector as part of a career fair. The fair was very well attended, as on the same day, our Mix & Mingle day took place at the same location, where all students from the faculty in Brežice and Ljubljana gather twice a year in one place. Additionally, we invited other young people from the surrounding area to the fair, making the atmosphere even livelier.
Throughout the morning, students attended lectures or participated in workshops organized by the Career Center of the University of Maribor on the topic of employment and work in tourism. Simultaneously, they had the opportunity to meet their future employers at the fair, discuss internships, or even potential employment opportunities.
As is customary on every Mix & Mingle day, a special social activity took place after the lectures, focusing on climate responsibility and the faculty community's contribution to a cleaner and greener environment. This time, in Brežice on Maistrova Street, we planted the first five trees of the future park according to the plan designed by the Brežice Local Community. This activity was initiated by the Faculty and coordinated with the Municipality of Brežice, the Local Community of Brežice, residents of nearby blocks, a project design office, and the municipal tourism institute ZPTM. The action represents an example of coordinated efforts of local stakeholders for the common good and is more than symbolic. Representatives of the local community and the municipality also participated, and the event attracted interest from several citizens.
The trees were planted collectively by different generations, communities, and cultures. We planted them with the awareness that plants will require attention, care, and nurturing for a long time to grow into healthy, leafy trees with strong roots that green the landscape, cool it in the summer, and provide pleasant shelter. Similarly, communities and individuals, including students, grow connectivity and resilience through collaboration (and planting), forming a strong chain that contributes to greater societal resilience. Through their studies (and such career activities), students plant and diligently cultivate their careers, personalities, and futures.
During the Mix & Mingle day, students typically compete in teams for prizes and the Faculty of Tourism's rotating trophy, but this time, we decided to forego competitiveness. In fostering sustainable relationships, both within the Faculty and in the broader community, we encouraged (even more) cooperation, collegiality, tolerance, and social responsibility. The reward lies in healthy and strong relationships and a high quality of life within our communities.
On Monday, March 4, 2024, Ariane Vlahen successfully defended her thesis titled "Media Constructions of Travel-Related Emotions: The Cases of Flight Shame and Train Brag", becoming the first graduate of our English master's programme Tourism Destinations and Experiences.
In her master's research, under the mentorship of Assist. Prof. Dr. Andreja Trdina and Ma. Soc. Sc. Salla Jutila (University of Lapland), she conceptualized emotions as practice and analysed how travel-related emotions are staged on social media. She identified prevailing themes around emotions and dominant visual conventions used to depict them on Instagram, while reflecting on the implications of such representations for our travel habits.
She defended her work before a committee consisting of Assist. Prof. Dr. Barbara Pavlakovič Farrell and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jasna Potočnik Topler. We are immensely proud of Ariane, as we are of all our graduates, and we congratulate her on her achievement, wishing her all the best for the future!
As of February 20th, the first application period for undergraduate study programmes for the academic year 2024/25 has opened, remaining open until March 20th (for EU citizens) or until April 19th (for non-EU citizens).
More information about the enrollment call, the application process submitted electronically through the eVŠ web portal, and the application deadlines can also be found on our website's page for Prospective Students - Undergraduate Programmes, at the link: Study tourism - Faculty of Tourism (um.si).
Last Friday and Saturday, informational days took place all over Slovenia. Students were seeking the final information on where to direct their further education. At the Faculty of Tourism, University of Maribor, based in Brežice, we organized informational presentations and content about studying and the diverse career opportunities in tourism for prospective students in three live and one online session.
Tourism once again proved to be a highly resilient, dynamic, and promising industry, offering numerous opportunities for diverse employment and careers, as emphasized by the dean of the Faculty of Tourism, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Marjetka Rangus, in her opening address.
During the informational days, in addition to the two regular undergraduate study programmes, the academic programme Tourism: Collaboration and Development and the professional programme Contemporary Tourism Practices, we showcased numerous opportunities provided by studying tourism. The most important ones are undoubtedly linked to connecting with the environment and practice, as students are prepared for their careers in tourism through practical training (internship), field exercises, international exchanges, student projects, and industry guest lectures. These careers can be desirable, dynamic, and, above all, diverse, as demonstrated by graduates of the Faculty presenting their professions via video conferencing. Graduates now employed in various roles, such as sales in an international hotel chain, event project manager, travel organizer, tourist information officer, consultant at a ministry, and lifestyle manager at the world's largest concierge club, showcased to students some of the genuinely diverse options that the tourism sector can offer to tourism graduates.
Prospective students could enjoyably explore some of the content from various tourism directions covered by undergraduate study programmes through a prize quiz (trivia). The top three participants with the fastest correct answers earned themselves nice prizes from local providers, our partners. A ticket to the winter or summer thermal riviera at Terme Čatež, a gift voucher worth twenty euros at the Reset Brewery, and two tickets to the Posavje Museum Brežice with a tour of the Water Tower were among the rewards. In this way, some prospective students could also experience a part of the tourism offer at the destination Brežice.
All three live events concluded in a pleasant atmosphere with relaxed conversations between prospective students, current students and representatives of the Faculty. Visitors could also virtually tour the castles of Posavje or witness the Northern Lights in Lapland using VR glasses, thus discovering the potential use of new technologies in the tourism sector.
Registration for both undergraduate study programs is conducted through the eVŠ portal and is possible in the first round until March 20, 2024 (EU) and April 19, 2024 (non-EU). For assistance and further information, we are available through all contacts the Student Affairs Office provides.