On World Tourism Day, September 27, 2024, the Institute for Tourism celebrated its 65th anniversary. Founded in 1959 in Zagreb as a bureau for tourism and hospitality construction, the Institute has evolved into a leading research institution in the field of tourism in Croatia and the region.
To mark the occasion, the Institute organized a scientific-expert conference at the Esplanade Hotel on the theme “The Future of Tourism in Times of Uncertainty.” The event gathered prominent experts who discussed key challenges facing modern tourism, including geopolitical and health threats, climate change, demographic trends, migration, and workforce issues. The importance of spatial and environmental management and the impact of technological advancements on the future of tourism were also emphasized.
The keynote speakers were Prof. Dr. Albert Postma from the European Tourism Futures Institute and Prof. Dr. Josip Mikulić from Faculty of Economics and Business Zagreb, and the panel featured participants such as Dr. Ivan Guttler, Director of the Croatian Meteorological and Hydrological Service, Branimir Farkaš, a writer and journalist from Croatian Radiotelevision, Dr. Marina Perić Kaselj, Director of the Institute for Migration Research, architect Silvije Novak from 3LHD, and Prof. Dr. Stjepan Bogdan from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing.
The event was also addressed by Tonči Glavina, Minister of Tourism and Sports of Croatia, EU Parliament member Nikolina Brnjac, and Nikola Mrvac, State Secretary at the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development. They highlighted the importance of collaboration between scientific institutions and the government in shaping a sustainable future for tourism in Croatia, stressing the need to apply knowledge and technology for the sector's advancement.
Damir Krešić, Director of the Institute, reflected on its history, noting the long-running TOMAS tourism market research, which has been conducted for almost 30 years. He emphasized the Institute's crucial role in the recovery of Croatian tourism after the Homeland War and its contribution to over 1,500 scientific and expert projects since 1959.
Over the past 65 years, the Institute for Tourism has made a significant contribution to the development of tourism in Croatia through the creation of strategic documents, collaboration with international institutions, and the organization of conferences and expert meetings. The Institute focuses on economic impacts, strategic planning, climate change effects, sustainability, and tourism market research. Its multidisciplinary team of around 20 scientists enables a comprehensive approach to tourism studies.