Zagreb hosted the 8th TOURISM 365 International Conference

From September 30 to October 2, 2024, the 8th TOURISM 365 International Conference, one of the most prestigious events in Southeast Europe, was successfully held in Zagreb. Hotel Sheraton Zagreb was the host, gathering numerous participants from more than 20 countries. This three-day conference proved again that it is essential for promoting year-round tourism, innovation, and sustainable business in the travel industry.

For the Green Stay Croatia platform, the partnership at this event was an important step forward. As she attended the conference, Ines, the founder, pointed out:

"For a young and developing platform, being among the leaders in tourism and learning from prominent experts like Juliet Kinsman and Tom Hall was an invaluable experience. The conference offered a series of panel discussions and workshops that provided deep insights into the future of sustainable tourism".

To provide solutions for seasonality in tourism and encourage the development of destinations that can attract tourists throughout the year, the conference reaffirmed its importance as a place to discuss the sustainable development of tourism. Through a series of panels, lectures, workshops, and networking, participants had the opportunity to discuss and present their views on the key challenges facing the industry today, but also on the opportunities brought by technological progress, changes in demand, and global trends. Lectures and panels covered topics such as the challenge of seasonality, premium tourism, the importance of local experiences, artificial intelligence, and how to move towards sustainable travel.

One of the central focuses of the conference was certainly sustainable tourism with a special emphasis on reducing the ecological footprint and adapting to climate change. Juliet Kinsman, the first editor of the sustainability feature in Condé Nast Traveler, shared her knowledge in an interesting lecture and emphasized that travelers are increasingly looking for authentic and responsible experiences.

Digitization and technological innovation along with sustainable tourism were the key topics of this year's conference. Participants discussed how artificial intelligence, blockchain, and IoT (Internet of Things) can transform the tourism industry. Tom Hall, Vice President of Lonely Planet, shared how digital platforms can help travel destinations connect with travelers in new and exciting ways. Like it or not, technology today offers opportunities to increase efficiency and personalize tourist experiences.

Creative tourism and the development of destinations that provide authentic and unique experiences were also in the spotlight. Tourism ministers from several European countries shared their strategies for developing year-round attractive destinations, emphasizing the importance of cultural tourism, gastronomic experiences, and authentic local products.

Seasonality remains one of the biggest challenges for many tourist destinations, especially in the Mediterranean and Adriatic. The conference was a place to discuss how destinations can extend the season and attract visitors during spring, autumn, and winter.

One of the most important events of the conference was the B2B Marketplace, organized in cooperation with London's New Deal Europe. This format allowed participants to present their products and services, exchange ideas, and develop long-term business relationships.

The organizer of the conference, Ivana Kolar, emphasized the importance of the Marketplace as a place for creating new business opportunities:

"TOURISM 365 does not only focus on conversations about year-round tourism - we actively work to make it happen. The B2B Marketplace has become an important part of the conference, enabling direct meetings between the key actors of tourism."

As part of the conference program, in addition to panels and lectures, educational workshops were held on topics such as digital marketing, destination management, branding, and the use of artificial intelligence in tourism. At the workshops, practical experiences and concrete solutions for the challenges faced by the tourism industry were shared. The workshops were popular with the participants, enabling them to improve their skills and apply the lessons learned in their day-to-day business.

What would the conference be without informal gatherings and networking? In a relaxed atmosphere, participants had the opportunity to connect with colleagues from the industry, exchange ideas, and discuss potential collaborations.

The TOURISM 365 conference once again showed why it is important for the promotion of year-round tourism. After the conference, we can agree that the future of tourism lies in digitization, innovation, and sustainability. Destinations that adapt to new trends and the needs of travelers will have the opportunity to achieve year-round business.

Ines, as a representative of Green Stay Croatia, concluded:

"I am delighted that we had the opportunity to be part of this year's conference. It's time to put all the ideas and advice from the conference into practice and continue to build sustainable tourism in Croatia".

Considering all the challenges and opportunities presented, the TOURISM 365 conference continues to play a key role in shaping the future of tourism in Croatia and beyond, laying the foundations for even stronger cooperation and the growth of year-round, sustainable tourism. The participants of the TOURISM 365 conference expressed their satisfaction with the organization and content and have already announced their return to the next edition of the conference, in 2025.