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Abstract: This chapter discusses the significance of communication in business growth, particularly in the context of the tourism industry and in the profession of a tour(ist) guide as tour(ist) guides are seen as key figures in tourist communication, often referred to as "spokespersons," "educators," and "entertainers." They play a significant role in conveying correct information while incorporating engaging stories and facts to enhance the tourist experience. The chapter touches the topic of storytelling that has become increasingly important in tourism as it can bridge the gap between the present, past, and future, evoking strong emotions of tourists. In addition to that, the text discusses the DRAMMA model (that emphasizes the importance of detachment recovery, autonomy, mastery, meaning, and affiliation in leisure experience) and its influence on vacation-time happiness.
Keywords: communication skills, tourism, tour guides, tourist guides, storytelling, DRAMMA model
Published in DKUM: 10.11.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 0
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Abstract: This thesis investigates how Ulcinj's growth within the Montenegro–Albania corridor is influenced by cross-border tourism. First, a theoretical analysis demonstrated the connections between demand for tourism, employment, and investment; the significance of cooperation and governance; the interdependence of tourism and mobility; and the consequences of seasonality and sustainability. Next, we interviewed emergency services, public administration, local politicians, and business sector stakeholders in lodging and hospitality. The results show distinct advantages for turnover, employment, and small-scale investment, but they also show enduring drawbacks, such as poor public transportation and car-free accessibility, border lines and procedural unpredictability, disjointed governance, irregular electronic payments and taxi rates, noticeable summer peaks, and peak-season strain on municipal services. Targeted last-mile infrastructure improvements planned off-season events, operational mayor/DMO collaboration, direct cross-border public transportation links with basic one-stop/digital facilitation, and harmonized coastal standards were all recommendations made by interviewees. In order to establish a more stable, higher-value, year-round destination system, the thesis concludes by highlighting the necessity of strengthening operational environmental management, integrating mobility and border facilitation, improving governance coordination, and packaging and jointly marketing cross-border products.
Keywords: cross-border tourism, destination development, seasonality management, Ulcinj, cooperation
Published in DKUM: 29.10.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 7
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Abstract: This thesis explores how art exhibitions and cultural events held in hotel lobbies can become a successful business model. The concept combines hospitality and cultural tourism to create unique experiences for hotel guests while generating financial benefits for hotels. The study applies the Business Model Canvas (Osterwalder and Pigneur, 2010) to develop a clear business plan, which analyses customer segments, value propositions, revenue streams, and cost structures. The primary customers are hotels and tourists. Hotels benefit from increased guest loyalty and additional revenues, while tourists enjoy a richer cultural experience. A financial comparison of two event formats shows that both can be profitable. A small setup model has a higher profit margin (27.06%), while a medium setup model with a lower profit margin (19.24%) offers a broader range of services. Interviews with hotel managers, artists, and tourism experts confirm strong interest in these events highlighting, however, marketing, logistics and budgeting challenges. The thesis concludes that incorporation of cultural events into hotel services attracts more guests, strengthens hotel branding, and supports local artists making it a promising business opportunity.
Keywords: Cultural Tourism, Hotels and Hospitality, Business Model Canvas, Art Exhibitions, Event Planning
Published in DKUM: 27.10.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 3
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Abstract: Traditional mobility programmesseem to be insufficient to fulfil the desired internationalization of higher education programmes. For this reason, other forms of internationalization need to be explored and addressed, such as ‘internationalization at home’ (IaH), a concept that has attracted the attention of a significant number of researchers over the years. Considering this, the aim of this paper is to present an example of such practices by focusing on the implementation of Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) in the context of Tourism degree programmes offered by two institutions: the Polytechnic Institute of Beja, Portugal, and the University of Maribor, Slovenia. Furthermore, the paper intends to highlight the role played by qualitative methods in the design of this COIL programme, titled: “Integral Rural Tourism experiences: lessons from the Alqueva Lake, Portugal, and the Dolenjska region, Slovenia”. To achieve these goals, the paper focuses on: (i) the definition of internationalization at home and COIL, (ii) the topic and structure of this COIL programme, (iii) qualitative methods used in activity design, and on (iv) the evaluation of this initiative. This COIL proved to be a positive experience, as it helped to consolidate an international partnership and to increase the number of students involved in internationalization activities in both Tourism degrees involved. Furthermore, it encouraged students to develop a wide range of skills, such as digital, language and intercultural skills, which are of crucial importance, particularly in the case of Tourism degree programmes. Moreover, qualitative methods were found to be a suitable approach for the design of the tasks proposed. Finally, the limitations identified, related mostly to language difficulties and to the discrepancy in the perception of the proposed activities by students from the two institutions, hinted at the challengingnature of COIL to all involved –both students and teachers.
Keywords: internationalization at home, collaborative online international learning, qualitative methods, tourism degrees
Published in DKUM: 16.10.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 3
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Abstract: The article examines media portrayals of prominent female managers in Slovenian tourism and hospitality to analyse their success narratives and the underlying ideas shaping their social positions. Using post-feminism (McRobbie, 2004; Banet-Weiser et al., 2020) as a theoretical framework, it explores how gender myths and neoliberal individualism combine to justify female achievement. The study employs the performativity approach (Goffman, 1959; Butler, 1988) to investigate how women navigate and reproduce existing gender and class narratives in their media performances. Media interviews with successful Slovenian female managers in the tourism and hospitality sector were analysed to reveal how gender and class discourses intersect in their self-presentations. The identified self-performing strategies include a) the myth of meritocracy, bolstered by the gendered discourse of greater renunciation, b) the dialectic between references to women’s solidarity and the emphasis on individualism, and c) the portrayal of feminine care and empathy alongside a display of strict discipline and determination. Against the background of the intimate relationship among neoliberal ideology, postfeminism, and media culture, future policies fostering gender equality in the tourism industry should address practices aimed at bridging unequal opportunities and the materiality of language.
Keywords: performance, gender, myths, postfeminism, tourism, Slovenia
Published in DKUM: 14.10.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 4
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