Invitation to a Motivational Meeting for Completing Your Studies

Have you completed most of your exams but temporarily paused your studies due to work, family, or other life events? Don’t worry — the important thing is to know that it’s not too late.

The Faculty of Tourism, University of Maribor, invites you to a motivational meeting for continuing your studies after a break, where we will help you take the first (or next) step toward successfully completing your degree.

At the meeting, you will receive practical advice on how to:

• re-engage with your thesis work,
• join current thesis seminars,
• handle everything related to the updated study programme.

Meeting dates:

• 12 May 2025 at 16:00 – 1st CYCLE (VS and UN programmes), in person, Lecture Room 1, Gimnazija Brežice (entrance from the back)
• 19 May 2025 at 16:00 – 2nd CYCLE (Master's programme), online via MS Teams
• 26 May 2025 at 16:00 – 1st and 2nd CYCLE, ENGLISH PROGRAMMES (for part-time students in Ljubljana), online via MS Teams

Please register by sending your name and surname to: referat.ft@um.si.

Don’t wait any longer — you’ve already put in so much effort, and now it’s time to complete your journey. We are here to support you.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at:

08 20 57 063/7
referat.ft@um.si

The Final Thesis Committee and the Student Affairs Office, Faculty of Tourism, UM

The Faculty of Tourism at the University of Maribor is organizing the international scientific conference Transforming Tourism and Hospitality through Education (TEDU25), which will take place from 14 to 16 May 2025 at Terme Čatež.

The transformation of tourism and hospitality through education is a key topic for everyone involved in shaping the tourism industry and its development—both within the region and beyond. The conference will address pressing questions, such as the importance of sustainable and meaningful education, the development of green and future-ready skills, and the transfer of knowledge between educational institutions and the industry.

Renowned international experts will join us, including Professor John Tribe from York St John University and the University of Surrey (UK), whose influential work in tourism education and epistemology has significantly contributed to critical reflections in the field, and Professor Hazel Tucker from the University of Otago (NZ), a leading international researcher on the social and cultural impacts of tourism.

The conference and its accompanying programme will also offer excellent opportunities for networking, collaboration, and the co-creation of meaningful solutions and projects that matter for our shared future.

Participation is free of charge, but registration is required by 2 May 2025.

We warmly invite you to join us in reflecting on and shaping the future of tourism education.

More about conference: https://www.ft.um.si/en/research/research/tedu25-conference/

On Friday, April 18, 2025, we hosted the traditional Spring Quality Day at the Faculty of Tourism, University of Maribor. This event, held twice a year, provides an opportunity to reflect on the quality of our processes and explore ways to improve them further.

This year's focus was primarily on the self-evaluation of the past year, the development of an action plan, and the measures taken for the future, along with the revision of our study programs. The Spring Quality Day also served as a great opportunity for staff to relax and connect before the Easter holidays, sharing ideas and strengthening relationships.

It was a productive day that will help us continue enhancing the quality at our faculty.

We would like to inform you that the Faculty of Tourism, University of Maribor, will be closed from Saturday, 26 April 2025, to Sunday, 4 May 2025, due to collective leave (28, 29, and 30 April 2025) and public holidays.

During this time:

• no academic activities will take place,
• we will not be available via email,
• postal deliveries addressed to the Faculty of Tourism, UM, will not be accepted.

Thank you for your understanding.

On Friday, March 28, 2025, we once again hosted the Spring MM Day in Brežice, an event that brings together students from the Faculty of Tourism, University of Maribor, from both Brežice and Ljubljana twice a year.

The morning session began with joint lectures in English, where students gained new knowledge and exchanged experiences in the lecture halls.

This was followed by the FT Career Fair, featuring 13 exhibitors from the tourism industry. The fair welcomed: Travel Agency Oskar, Travel Agency Palma, Relax Turizem, ZPTM, Terme Čatež, Alpeadriabooker, Kozjanski Park, Posavje Museum Brežice, Kempinski Palace Portorož, Sava Turizem d.d., Sava Hotels Bled, Terme Olimia, and CPT Krško. The students had a great opportunity to connect with companies and organizations and learn about employment opportunities, internships, and student work.

After an active morning, a lunch break followed, along with socializing in the MC gym and club, providing an excellent opportunity for students to relax and network in an informal setting. The highlight of the afternoon was the fun tourism quiz, organized by the FT Student Council and student tutors. Students competed in teams for prizes and, of course, for the glory of victory.

MM Day is not just a day of lectures—it is an opportunity for networking, collaboration, and the exchange of ideas. Every year, it brings fresh energy, motivation, and unforgettable memories for all participants. See you at the next MM Day in autumn, which will take place in Ljubljana!

The 2025/2026 Call for Enrolment in Postgraduate Study Programmes has been published. The first application period opened on 31 March 2025.

The first application period for enrolment in the first year of master’s studies will remain open until:

• 5 September 2025 for citizens of the Republic of Slovenia and EU Member States as well as Slovenians without Slovenian citizenship;
• 30 May 2025 for citizens of non-EU Member States.

The first application period for enrolment in the first year of doctoral studies will remain open until:

• 5 September 2025 for citizens of the Republic of Slovenia and EU Member States;
• 30 May 2025 for Slovenians without Slovenian citizenship and citizens of non-EU Member States.

For more information on postgraduate study programmes at the Faculty of Tourism, including the master’s programme Tourism Destinations and Experiences and the doctoral programme Contemporary Tourism Studies, as well as details on the application process, visit:
https://www.ft.um.si/en/prospective-students/study-tourism/#postgraduate-programme

The Information Day for both study programmes will take place in person on Tuesday, 13 May 2025, at 5 PM at the Faculty of Tourism, University of Maribor (Cesta prvih borcev 36, Brežice).

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.

From March 17 to 21, the Faculty of Tourism, University of Maribor, will host the Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Program (BIP) in Brežice. This exciting program will bring together students from Spain (Autonomous University of Barcelona), Finland (Lapland University of Applied Sciences), and Serbia (Singidunum University), along with a group of students from our Faculty of Tourism, UM.

During the program, participants will explore Tasting Trails in Brežice, experiencing local gastronomy, culture, and tourism through interactive and engaging activities. This international collaboration aims to foster intercultural exchange and provide hands-on learning experiences in sustainable tourism and local food traditions.

Programme for participants: https://www.ft.um.si/wp-content/uploads/BIP-2025-program.pdf

or scan QR code:

Stay tuned for updates and insights from this unique Erasmus+ experience!

On March 13, 2025, in collaboration with Knjižnica Brežice, we hosted a discussion evening titled "China: An Inside Perspective", where we explored different views on China, its culture, society, and way of life.

The event began with a contribution from master's students of the Faculty of Tourism, University of Maribor, who sparked an engaging debate with their opening thoughts on stereotypes about China. The discussion was moderated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jasna Potočnik Topler, who guided the conversation with thought-provoking questions and comments.

The evening’s main guests, Peter Zupanc and Liu Yingying, shared personal experiences and insights into China from an insider’s perspective, shedding light on lesser-known aspects of Chinese society and answering a variety of interesting questions from the audience.

The event provided a valuable opportunity for intercultural dialogue and breaking stereotypes. We extend our gratitude to all attendees who contributed to the enriching discussion and to Knjižnica Brežice for their excellent cooperation.

What is it like to study tourism in Slovenia? Hear firsthand testimonials from international students at the Faculty of Tourism, University of Maribor. Discover why students choose Slovenia for their tourism studies and how our programmes prepare them for global careers in tourism and hospitality.

The first application period for undergraduate studies for non-EU citizens is open until March 18! Don't miss your chance to apply.

Find more information about our programmes and the application process here: https://www.ft.um.si/en/prospective-students/study-tourism/#undergraduate-programmes.