IFFIT Talk: Innovative Technological Solutions

On Saturday, October 7th, as part of the Wave 4 Tourism conference, the IFITT Talk event with a panel discussion took place at the Faculty of Management and Hospitality (FMTU) in Opatija. During this event, the jury members discussed new technologies and utilized an innovative format for a student competition aimed at future innovative technological solutions for the Hilton hotel chain. Among the panelists who evaluated and commented on the students' solutions, there was not only a representative from the Hilton corporation but also our lecturer and researcher, Miha Bratec, MSc.

In the discussion Miha Bratec, MSc, who is also a visible member of the international IFITT federation, emphasized  the importance of understanding a wide range of economic and psychological factors that influence the adoption of specific technologies within hotel companies. He also pointed out the often overly simplistic and idealistic assessments by experts regarding the practical value of certain technologies, which are frequently discussed in today's times but with insufficient critical analysis, especially in the context of the tourism industry.

The students from Turistica, Katarina Tomović, Milena Ninković, and Katja Kosem, who presented their solution as part of the challenge for Hotel Hilton, titled "THE FUTURE IS NOW: TECHNOLOGY NEEDS OF HILTON" were also successful. With her presented idea Katarina secured an excellent second place. 

The International Federation for Information Technologies and Travel & Tourism (IFITT) is considered the most prestigious academic association of researchers in the field of tourism technology. Each year, they organize highly impactful ENTER conferences. In order to promote the field of tourism technology worldwide, they also host shorter events called IFITT Talk, which aim to connect academics with the business community and aspiring young talents from the student ranks.