UP FTŠ Turistica Celebrates 30 Years: A Solemn Jubilee Ceremony in Portorož Marks the Era of the Wise Transformation
The Faculty of Tourism Studies – Turistica of the University of Primorska celebrated three decades of its mission in the Crystal Hall of the Kempinski Palace Portorož. The jubilee was more than a reflection on the path travelled; it became a manifesto of responsible, human-centered and knowledge-driven tourism—summed up in the concept of the Blue (Wise) Transformation, where the Slovene word modra carries a double meaning: blue and wise.
Over the past 30 years, Turistica has grown into Slovenia’s central higher education institution for tourism, combining research excellence, strong cooperation with its environment and international openness. At the jubilee celebration, representatives of academia, industry, local communities and numerous partner organizations emphasized that the faculty has become an indispensable part of the industry's development.
The ceremony opened with welcoming remarks by the Rector of the University of Primorska, Prof. Dr. Klavdija Kutnar; Assoc. Prof. Emil Juvan, PhD, Australia, Dean of UP FTŠ Turistica; Deputy Mayor of the Municipality of Piran, Christian Poletti; and the President of the Turistica Student Council, Tjaša Hajnžič.
This year’s central theme - the Blue (Wise) Transformation - highlights the need to transform tourism practices: to shift from traditional, mass approaches toward tourism that emphasizes time, mindfulness, respect for places and people, and responsible destination management. These values formed the basis of the keynote reflections that gave the event its particular depth.
Prof. Dr. Anton Gosar, Professor Emeritus and Science Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia, presented a comprehensive overview of Turistica’s first 30 years. He highlighted key developmental milestones, achievements, and the dedicated individuals who have shaped the faculty’s identity and its recognized role in the Slovenian and broader tourism landscape.
Prof. Dr. Sara Dolničar, one of the world’s most influential tourism researchers and also a Science Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia, emphasized that the past has taught us an important lesson: the future of tourism must rest on wisdom, responsibility, and knowledge. In her view, academic institutions have a vital mission—not only to create new knowledge but also to guide the tourism sector toward more thoughtful, science-based and long-term sustainable decisions.
In the central part of the ceremony, Turistica presented awards to organizations that have significantly contributed to its development, youth education, sustainable practices and the strengthening of Slovenian tourism identity over the past three decades. Awards were presented to: the Portorož Tourist Board; the Directorate for Tourism (MGTS); the Tourist Association of Slovenia; the Slovenian Tourist Board; the Slovenian National Commission for UNESCO; the Municipality of Piran; and the international partner La Fondation pour la Formation Hôtelière.
The event featured a unique artistic program symbolically connecting the past, present, and vision of the future. Academic musician Boštjan Gombač created a sound bridge between prehistory and the present with the ancient tones of a reconstructed 60,000-year-old Neanderthal flute from Divje Babe, offering an experience that reached beyond a traditional artistic performance. This was followed by Blue (Wise) Transformation, a visual-movement production by the Serpentes Magic Theatre, blending elements of nature, history, music and contemporary art to highlight the symbolic transformation of tourism. The evening concluded with a futuristic performance, A Glimpse into the Future, prompting the audience to reflect on new possibilities and challenges in tourism education.
The official part ended with the meaningful reminder: “As we look ahead, let us not forget where we began.” The celebration then continued with socializing and networking, during which the Serpentes performers offered symbolic good-wish cards—a small gesture marking a momentous anniversary.
Today, Turistica steps into a new era as an internationally recognized, development-oriented faculty committed to people. With its vision, research and the added value it creates for Slovenian and global tourism, it remains a key co-creator of the future of tourism.
