Certificate Award Ceremony and Expert Lecture on Risk Management in Outdoor Tourism
On Monday, 6 October 2025, the Faculty of Tourism, University of Maribor, hosted the closing event of the second cycle of short specialised training courses implemented within the project Flexible Forms of Education: Green Transition and Tourism 5.0 (NOO). The event combined the official certificate award ceremony for the participants and a professional lecture on risk management in outdoor tourism.
Short Training Programmes – A New Approach in Higher Education
At the Faculty of Tourism, we are developing flexible forms of education that respond to the needs of the modern labour market and the development of new competences in tourism. A collection of specific, focused knowledge delivered in a short and condensed format represents an innovation in the Slovenian higher education landscape. These training programmes complement existing study programmes and enable the acquisition of practical, up-to-date skills that directly enhance employability and innovation in tourism.
Within the Flexible Forms of Education: Green Transition and Tourism 5.0 project, which will conclude at the end of 2025, the Faculty developed seven short specialised training courses: Green Destination Manager, Tour Guide for Society 5.0, Strategic Planning and Reporting for Sustainable Wellness Tourism, Design of VR and AR Content with Gamification Elements, Sustainable Tourism Development in the Mountains, Green and Digital Revitalisation of Rural Areas, and Green Gastronomy.
In the second implementation cycle, 84 participants took part, among whom 26 successfully completed all requirements and received certificates of completion.
Project Achievements and Future Outlook
The event opened with a welcome address by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Marjetka Rangus, Dean of the Faculty of Tourism and Head of the pilot NOO project at the Faculty. She presented the key milestones and achievements of the project and highlighted the importance of flexible education models for the future of the tourism industry.
The event was also honoured by Ms Dubravka Kalin, Director-General of the Tourism Directorate at the Ministry of the Economy, Tourism and Sport, who presented the main strategic directions, policies, and current calls supporting the sustainable transformation and competence development in the tourism sector.
Special thanks were extended to the external experts who contributed their expertise and experience to the implementation and high quality of the training courses.
Expert Lecture on Risk Management in Outdoor Tourism
In the second part of the event, Assoc. Prof. Jon Heshka from Thompson Rivers University, Canada, delivered an engaging lecture on risk management and legal responsibility in extreme and adventure sports.
In his presentation, Professor Heshka introduced international approaches and best practices in risk management in outdoor tourism, emphasising the importance of responsible planning, proper training, and clear communication in outdoor activities.
The event concluded in a pleasant atmosphere in the new premises of the Faculty of Tourism, with discussions on the presented topics and reflections on the closing activities of the NOO project.