OBJECTIVES
The Tourism study programme aims to train students in planning, implementing, controlling, and evaluating economic activities within tourism and related entities. The programme's fundamental objective is to prepare professionals for operational and managerial roles in specific tourism sectors (rural, urban, congress, health, cultural, sports and recreational tourism, etc.), including both profit and non-profit organisations, as well as public tourism-related agencies.
The Tourism study programme also defines specific objectives.
One objective is to equip students with the ability to utilise business models and manage business processes in areas such as marketing, management, accounting, finance, human resources, and other supporting economic activities within tourist and hospitality establishments, as well as related sectors. This includes teamwork in creating, marketing, and selling high-quality tourism services through continuous adaptation to changes in the tourism market, while adhering to sustainable development principles of tourist destinations.
Another objective is to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to perform operational tasks in various interdisciplinary fields related to tourism (mathematics, statistics, computer science, law, gastronomy and communication), with the aim of enhancing customer satisfaction. This objective focuses on developing intellectual abilities in non-economic areas, such as negotiation, conducting meetings, data analysis, web design, digital document creation, personal data protection, and managing business processes in the field of gastronomy, among other relevant areas.
KEY SKILLS
Upon completion of the programme, students will acquire a range of general skills highly valued in the job market. These include:
- Proficiency in multilateral communication within multicultural environments
- Understanding and application of knowledge across diverse fields such as mathematics, statistics, law and gastronomy
- Strong learning ability and cultural competence
- Capacity for abstract, logical, critical and creative thinking
- Skills in data, idea, and opinion analysis and synthesis, with a critical evaluation capability
- Comprehension of business and entrepreneurial opportunities
- Ability to independently problem-solve and make decisions while upholding principles of ethics and social responsibility
- Independence and responsibility in planning and implementing activities
- Expertise in human resource management and business process management
- Research skills and the application of knowledge in practice
- Proficiency in business communication in local, national and international environments
- Effective teamwork and collaboration skills in various work situations, both domestic and international.
As part of their studies, students also develop a range of specific skills related to the field of tourism. These include:
- Monitoring and analysing macroeconomic and tourism policies, practices and market trends
- Interpreting and differentiating tourism resources to position a tourism destination effectively
- Engaging in the management of tourism entities and lead specific departments associated with tourism activities
- Planning and applying business concepts and models in specialised forms of tourism and related activities
- Developing business plans and implementing tools for strategic planning
- Creating an expanded marketing mix in tourism and hospitality
- Designing tourism product and service offerings
- Enhancing sales strategies in tourism
- Utilising contemporary information technology effectively in tourism and related sectors
- Applying legislative requirements and standards in tourism and hospitality
- Executing administrative tasks proficiently in tourism and hospitality
- Managing business processes in gastronomy and food service
DUTIES
Upon completing the Tourism programme, students are equipped to perform the following roles as they enter the workforce:
- Organising and managing tourism enterprises and organisations
- Managing specific departments within tourism enterprises
- Applying business models and managing business processes related to marketing, management, accounting, finance, and human resources within tourism and hospitality entities
- Designing, marketing and delivering high-quality tourism services while adapting to evolving tourism market demands
- Carrying out operational tasks across interdisciplinary tourism-related fields (mathematics, statistics, computer science, law, gastronomy, communication) to enhance customer satisfaction
- Planning, implementing, monitoring and assessing economic activities within tourism-related entities
- Applying sustainable development principles to tourism destinations
- Effectively managing human, financial and information resources within tourism and hospitality entities
- Applying knowledge and innovations to enhance business economics in tourism
- Organising collaborative teamwork and coordination with other business functions within enterprises
Completion of Studies
Completion of the professional undergraduate study programme in Tourism concludes with passing exams, fulfilling other study obligations and submitting and defending a final thesis.
Continuation of Studies
After completing the undergraduate programme in Tourism, students may continue their studies in the university's graduate programme.
Continuation of Studies — Horizontal and Vertical Mobility
During their studies in the Tourism programme, students have opportunities to participate in mobility programmes offered by higher education institutions in Croatia and abroad. These forms of mobility contribute to positive effects at the individual, institutional and broader societal levels. The benefits of mobility include increased employability on the international job market, exposure to diverse cultures and languages, and the development of cultural, social and academic values.
Comparability with Related Accredited Programmes in Croatia and the EU
The Republic of Croatia and the European Union are home to numerous higher education institutions offering undergraduate programmes with a focus on tourism-related economic knowledge. The University Undergraduate Study Programme in Tourism shares thematic similarities with selected study programmes, but stands out for its STEM orientation, IT and gastronomy courses. The proposed study programme emphasises family businesses and small-to-medium enterprises.
Comparing the proposed study programme with other European higher education programmes, it can be concluded that this programme aligns well and is highly comparable to the study programmes offered by European universities. This alignment adheres to the European Commission's guidelines and the spirit of the Bologna Process, which promotes the mobility of students and teachers within the European Higher Education Area as one of its core objectives.
Alignment with Labour Market Needs
Development and modernisation in tourism require well-educated current and future employees. High standards of competence and expertise are essential for employees performing tourism-related tasks, and formal education is considered the foundation for achieving this. The Tourism study programme is designed to educate future and current employees who will be responsible in their work, continuously improving, and ready to monitor and adapt to frequent changes in legal regulations.
By completing the Tourism study programme and achieving the desired learning outcomes, students acquire skills for employment and self-employment within private business entities and public sector entities. Students gain knowledge necessary for specialised areas of the tourism profession through compulsory and elective courses, as well as diverse knowledge that is not directly related to tourism jobs but is significantly important for the functioning of other business processes within the company.
Alignment with the Strategic Goals of the Faculty
The development strategy of the Faculty of Tourism and Rural Development in Požega for 2023-2030 outlines strategic objectives aligned with current developmental needs and priorities. These include (1) enhancing the education system's quality, (2) promoting scientific research and (3) advancing infrastructure. The Tourism study programme's strategic goals and established priorities are thematically aligned with the program's learning outcomes. This is evident in the goals' focus on the tourism field and related activities. The learning outcomes emphasise the application of various methods and techniques in tourism and hospitality business processes, which also aligns with the scientific and professional work of the faculty's teachers and students. The Faculty's strategic priorities are oriented towards the STEM field, which is linked to some of the learning outcomes related to interdisciplinary areas (e.g., information technology, gastronomy). Additionally, international cooperation is a key priority, contributing to the development of tourism as an activity based on the mobility of stakeholders and the exchange of information in Croatian and foreign languages.
The orientation of scientific and professional work of faculty members and students focuses on applying various methods and techniques in tourism business processes, as well as understanding the impact of new technological advancements on specific business activities. International cooperation is also a priority, contributing to the development of tourism and other sectors, supported by stakeholder mobility and information exchange in Croatian and foreign languages. The Faculty's strategic priorities include infrastructure development, particularly secure and sustainable digital infrastructure, which enhances and advances the educational process. This strengthens the Faculty's connection as a scientific institution with economic entities in terms of knowledge transfer. The Tourism study programme content emphasises the applicability of modern information, mathematical, and statistical methods, understanding the impact of technological advancements, the ability to make business decisions, and the development of communication skills in both native and foreign languages, all of which contribute to and are connected with infrastructure development.