Word from the Dean

Welcome to the website of UP Faculty of Tourism Studies Turistica.

UP Faculty of Tourism Studies Turistica is entering its 30th year of operation in 2025. From the first independent higher education institution in the field of tourism in Slovenia, we have developed into a leading higher education and research institution in the field of tourism in Slovenia and well recognised in the wider region of the Western Balkans and Southern Europe. Despite celebrating 30 years, we are still a relatively young higher education institution, but already well positioned in the field of empirically supported sustainable and innovative approaches to tourism development. Our graduates occupy leading positions in successful tourism organizations, in Slovenia and abroad. Another important evidence of our quality is the high rate of successful self-employment of our graduates.

We offer first cycle professional programmes and one university programme, two master programmes and a doctoral programme. We understand internationalization of higher education and not as a competitive advantage. Therefore, we build our international visibility and competitiveness on innovation, which manifests itself in several forms. We are recipients of the UNWTO Innovation Award (2007), founders of the international Alliance for Innovators and Researchers in Tourism and Hospitality (AIRTH, 2017), pioneers of experimental studies in the field of increasing sustainable tourist behaviour, and a publisher of the international scientific journal Academica Turistica - Tourism and Innovation journal. Innovation is also the core concept of our doctoral programme. Despite being a rather small faculty, our international network and innovative views on tourism make us one of the leading research institutions in the field of sustainable tourism. We are also consolidating our position in specific types of tourism, such as sports tourism and dark tourism. We are an active member of major international associations of educational institutions in the field of tourism and are involved in research and development projects of European development and research programmes.

At Turistica, we successfully apply innovative research and teaching approaches towards closing the theory – practice gap. We strongly believe that tourism requires tailored teaching and research approaches, because industry and society face lack of knowledge on how to develop and implement tourism that fosters 1) high and positive economic impacts, 2) unforgettable travel experiences, and 3) wellbeing of local communities. Our mission is to inspire 1) the creativity and productivity of students and employees, 2) the interest of the industry and the public sector to collaborate with the faculty, and 3) globally renowned researchers and professionals to collaborate in a creative and impactful way.

At Turistica, the doors to the world of tourism are open to all who want to create successful career in tourism, want to co-create immersive travelling opportunities and want to contribute to improvement of the quality of life through tourism.