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Abstract: This master's thesis examines the potential of the Karst wine-growing district in Slovenia as a wine tourism destination, with a particular focus on the role of Teran wine. Despite its rich cultural heritage and unique terroir, the Karst has remained underrepresented in national tourism promotion. The study was designed to explore how the region's natural, cultural, and gastronomic assets could be used to enhance the development of a more competitive and distinctive wine tourism offering. A mixed methods approach was employed, in which a quantitative survey was conducted among tourists and local residents at wine-related events, and qualitative interviews were carried out with local winemakers. Participants’ perceptions, motivations, and associations related to the Karst wine-growing district were analyzed, while insights into the development of wine tourism and regional challenges were gathered through the interviews. The findings indicated both barriers and opportunities in the region’s wine tourism development. While limited visibility and weak coordination among stakeholders involved in tourism and winemaking were identified as key challenges, significant potential was also recognized, rooted in the Karst’s cultural heritage, natural landscape, and winemaking traditions. Efforts to enhance the visibility and competitiveness of the Karst as a wine tourism destination are supported through practical recommendations and contributions to the academic discourse on destination development.
Keywords: Karst, wine tourism, Teran, wine tourism in Slovenia, destination development
Published in DKUM: 28.10.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 8
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Abstract: The study material provides a comprehensive overview of health tourism as an important and rapidly developing segment of the tourism industry. It begins with a historical perspective, from ancient civilizations and pilgrimages to the democratization of spa culture, the rise of medical tourism, and today’s integrated approaches to health and wellness. The text defines key concepts such as health, illness, quality of life, happiness, well-being, and wellness, introducing models like the Wellness Wheel and PERMA. A central part of the material examines the relationship between well-being and tourism, highlighting how travel contributes to physical, psychological, and social health. Different types of health tourism are presented, particularly the distinction between medical and wellness tourism, supported by comparative models. Detailed chapters cover spas, wellness centres in hospitality, hot springs, and natural therapeutic waters, outlining their definitions, typologies, benefits, and contemporary applications. The material also discusses market segmentation in wellness tourism, identifying motives and profiles of tourists, as well as management aspects, including customer experience, site-level management, and broader geographical considerations. Special emphasis is given to stakeholder structures and their interactions, which shape the functioning of health tourism systems. Trends such as sustainability, digitalization, personalization, and the impact of COVID-19 are analysed as forces transforming the sector. A separate focus is given to health tourism in Slovenia, its natural healing factors, spas, and the role of the Slovenian Spas Association. Altogether, the material combines theory, history, practical examples, and future trends, offering students an in-depth but structured introduction to health and wellness tourism.
Keywords: Health tourism, wellness tourism, medical tourism, well-being, quality of life, happiness, spas, wellness centres, hot springs, natural therapeutic waters, balneotherapy, tourism management, customer segmentation, stakeholders, sustainability, digitalization, Slovenia, Slovenian Spas Association
Published in DKUM: 02.10.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 8
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Abstract: This chapter compares youth perceptions of societal norms in Croatia and Slovenia, revealing distinct mechanisms shaping their views. Croatian youth exhibit age-dependent patterns where growing autonomy influences the internalisation of societal expectations, leading to increasing self-confidence paired with a realistic reassessment of attainable life goals, particularly in education, housing, and financial independence. Slovenian youth, especially women, confront pronounced gender disparities rooted in structural inequities, burdening them with extensive societal and familial responsibilities. Both cohorts experience tension between individual aspirations and collective norms, with maturity prompting a shift from optimism to pragmatic evaluation of social milestones. Socioeconomic status (SES) strongly correlates with youths’ belief in personal success and adherence to societal expectations, with higher SES linked to greater confidence and internalisation, although national contexts mediate these effects. During the COVID-19 pandemic, age differences in justifying public health norms were minimal, but SES differences were significant, especially in Slovenia. Croatian youth showed less overall support for health measures but greater familial duty endorsement.
Keywords: youth, expectations, life goals, COVID-19 pandemic, Croatia and Slovenia
Published in DKUM: 16.09.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 1
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Abstract: The introductory chapter outlines the methodological design and rationale of the YO-VID22 project, which investigated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on youth well-being and support structures in Croatia and Slovenia. Employing a mixed-method approach, the study combined large-scale quantitative nationally representative surveys with qualitative methods, which included focus groups, expert interviews, and media content analysis. Quantitative data were collected through stratified online surveys on nationally representative samples of 16-29-year-olds, which enabled comparisons with pre-pandemic datasets. Qualitative components provided more profound insights into lived experiences, institutional responses, and public discourse surrounding youth. Focus groups captured peer-based dynamics and shared cultural values, while expert interviews highlighted systemic adaptations and policy gaps. At the same time, media analysis revealed shifting portrayals of young people in the public sphere. This integrated research design ensured both statistical robustness and contextual richness, and offered comprehensive evidence for understanding youth experiences during the pandemic and informing future policy and academic debates.
Keywords: youth, well-being, COVID-19 pandemic, Croatia, Slovenia
Published in DKUM: 09.09.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 6
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Abstract: This chapter examines the role of formal and informal support structures in shaping the well-being and resilience of youth in Croatia and Slovenia. In both countries, families remain the most important support system, particularly mothers, who are consistently identified as central figures in providing emotional and practical assistance. While peers also play a crucial role, the pandemic disrupted these relationships and reduced opportunities for in-person interaction. Institutional support, such as educational and employment services, remains important but often perceived as inaccessible or poorly adapted to the actual needs of youth. At the same time, a low level of trust in political institutions and the welfare system was observed, particularly in Croatia, which reinforces reliance on familial networks. Digital platforms increasingly serve as alternatives for connection and advice, although they cannot replace interpersonal support. Policy implications stress the need to expand accessible, youth-centred services, including mental health care, career guidance, and community-based initiatives. Strengthening institutional trust and investing in participatory frameworks would help diversify support beyond families and foster more resilient pathways for young people's social integration and life transitions.
Keywords: youth support, family networks, institutional trust, mental health, Croatia and Slovenia
Published in DKUM: 09.09.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 6
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