As part of the Interreg project Slovenia-Italy MerlinCV, two workshops on modern approaches to tourism were held on November 13, 2019. The workshops at the Grand Hotel Union were organized by Tourism and hospitality chamber of Slovenija at the same time as the Hospitality and tourism convention of Slovenia and attended by representatives of project partners, as well as invited representatives of tourism organizations and SMEs active in the tourism and hospitality sector.
At the first workshop entitled “Integrating Local Gastronomy in Innovative Tourism Products”, Valentina Smej Novak presented the cultural dimension of food and nutrition. The latter not only fulfills a utilitarian function, but also has a cultural significance. The taste and "fashion" of individual dishes thus change over time in response to changing broader cultural trends and / or social problems. The current trend of seasonal and local food can therefore only be understood through an understanding of the wider social situation, including environmental problems. Therefore, it is essential for the development of a modern tourist and catering offer that providers follow and adapt their offer to broader cultural trends.
The second workshop was devoted to the elements of gamification, i.e. introduction of elements of the game in tourism. Žiga Novak, an expert in gamification at Orehov gaj in Ljubljana, presented the participants the benefits of this approach. The workshop was set up in a highly interactive way, as the participants split into groups immediately after the start and devoted themselves to solving the "fun puzzle", i.e. the Mystery box. Žiga Novak then explained the importance of gamification in tourism, which stems from human's natural need for play. Gamification so enables tourist service providers to offer superior amenities and create unique experiences for tourists, which can quickly give them an edge over the competition.
Operation co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund
