The conference entitled "New Paths in the Training of Future Tourism Professionals " took place on 17^th October 2024 at the Faculty of Central European Studies. The event with international participation was organized as a multiplier event within the Erasmus+ Strategic Partnership project KA220-HED-00002329. The TRAIN-e-HOTEL project was successfully implemented in the period 2021-2024, with the Department of Tourism of the Faculty of Central European Studies of the Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra as the main coordinating institution. The main topics of the conference were also related to the results of the project, which were aimed at innovating the professional training of future tourism professionals as well as expanding the knowledge base of the participants.

The participants of the conference were welcomed to the University by Mgr. Tibor Szabó, PhD. (Vice-Dean for Research). In the opening speech Ing. Norbert Beták, PhD. (Head of the Department and Project Manager) referred to the conditions of the project and emphasized the necessity of further cooperation on an international level to improve the quality of education and the employability of the graduates.

In the morning session, participants had the opportunity to listen to presentations from three distinguished experts who engaged the audience with their topics and provoked a very positive discussion. The first speaker was Andrej Juriga (Cultural Bridge), who presented on issues of diversity and inclusion in a multicultural work environment. The next speaker was Jaroslav Kubala, manager of the Premium Star Hotels chain, who addressed the issues of hotel management and the management of employees' work activities. Michal Čuridlo (iFOCUS), who was the next presenter, dealt with the topics of online marketing and the need for visibility in the online space. After a short break there was a panel discussion with representatives of the institutions involved in the TRAIN-e-HOTEL project, partner universities from Hungary, the Czech Republic, Italy and Latvia. The conference language was English.

The conference was organized as a two-day event, with only the project investigators present on the second day to share their thoughts on the project and to plan the continuation of the collaboration. The second day also included a presentation by Mgr. Rozalia Hervay (Naturpark) on the topic of sustainable destination development.

 

Text: Ing. Norbert Beták, PhD., Mgr. Viktória Gergelyová, PhD., FSŠ – Department of Tourism
Photo: Lucia Szudorová

 

Published: November 12, 2024