Turistica Students Succeed at the National Young Tourist Guide Competition
Tjaša Hajnžič and Lukas Martinjaš, students at the University of Primorska Faculty of Tourism Studies – Turistica, successfully participated in the 13th National Young Tourist Guide Competition organised by the Slovenian Tourist Board Association. Lukas Martinjaš impressed the expert jury with his guiding skills and was awarded a silver badge. This year's competition was particularly special, as, for the first time, young tourist guides were challenged to interpret natural and cultural heritage rather than guide visitors through an urban setting.
The competition took place along the Following the Kingfisher nature trail, where participants had to demonstrate not only their knowledge of natural and cultural heritage, but also their ability to present it to visitors in an engaging and immersive way. A particular challenge was incorporating elements of forest pedagogy, nature observation and storytelling to help visitors establish a more meaningful connection with their surroundings.
For Tjaša and Lukas, participating in the competition was a valuable hands-on experience and an important extension of the knowledge they have gained during their studies at Turistica. They began preparing in the spring, when a training workshop was held at Vodomčev gaj, introducing participants to the principles of nature interpretation and guiding techniques. Under the mentorship of lecturers Milka Sinkovič and Daša Okrožnik, they also prepared a seminar paper and a guiding plan.
The competition day concluded with a special experience: a demonstration of bird ringing led by an experienced ornithologist. Participants also had the rare opportunity to observe a kingfisher up close, the bird after which the nature trail is named.
In September, the Following the Kingfisher nature trail received its first Path of Health certificate as part of the Green Screen – Along the Path of Health project, implemented by the Slovenian Tourist Board Association. The project encourages people to discover Slovenia through physical activity, nature-based experiences and a healthy lifestyle. It also highlights the importance of taking a break from the digital world, promoting well-being and supporting sustainable tourism. This setting offered the young competitors an opportunity to put their guiding skills to the test in a different and inspiring environment.
At Turistica, we are proud of both students, who demonstrated through their commitment, knowledge and willingness to embrace new challenges how important it is to combine academic studies with practical experience. Lukas's achievement is also a welcome recognition of the quality of our work and our commitment to developing the next generation of tourism professionals.
The students' participation in the competition was made possible through the Young Talents in Tourism programme, which encourages students to take part in professional competitions, join professional associations and engage in other extracurricular activities that support their personal and professional development. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Sava Hotels & Resorts for supporting the programme and investing in the development of young talent.
