A. PROJECT MANAGER

Full Name:
Jasmina Gržinić

Academic Position:
Full Professor (Tenured)

Faculty/Unit:
Faculty of Economics and Tourism

Scientific Area and Field:
Social Sciences, Economics, Trade and Tourism

E-mail:
jasmina.grzinic@unipu.hr

B. ACTIVITY / PROJECT INFORMATION

Project Title:
"Tourism and Destinations – Alternative Development Models"

Planned Duration:
2 years (12.5.2026.-12.5.2028.)

Requested Funding Amount (EUR):
€5,000

Abstract (up to 300 words)

Many tourism stakeholders remain skeptical toward transformation processes. From this starting point, a need has been identified to investigate models that offer alternative solutions and encourage change. Transformations in tourism reflect changes in the dynamic environment in which stakeholders operate. They result in destination regeneration and ensure long-term survival under crisis conditions.

The aim of the research is to analyze transformations in tourism through qualitative and quantitative methods, focusing on development models, knowledge required for destination transformation, and a broader spectrum of impacts. The purpose is to highlight the relationship between transformation processes and change management in international tourism.

The identification and systematization of theoretical knowledge on transformations in the pre- and post-COVID periods, as well as business operations under conditions of permanent crises, provide the foundation for developing a framework for destination positioning from the perspective of development models, stakeholder involvement, and resilience to crises.

The research findings will emphasize the need for a holistic approach to monitoring impacts within destinations. The study demonstrates that crises in destination countries can have both immediate and long-term effects on hospitality and tourism. Transformational (alternative) development models enable the interpretation of tourism downturns as causal responses to changes in macroeconomic regimes, thereby strengthening the connection between tourism economics and business cycle theory.

The research highlights the importance of considering factors such as economic cycle asynchrony and destination-specific attractiveness, which can mitigate the negative impacts of downturns. The project contributes to the development of specialized tourism knowledge from the perspectives of the experience economy, cultural competencies, spatial management, and stakeholder partnerships.

The findings are significant for maintaining destination competitiveness through stakeholder activities and reducing the risk of economic recession in destinations, which can substantially affect tourism performance by reducing tourist arrivals, revenues, and expenditures. This is particularly relevant for Croatian tourism due to risks associated with overtourism, destination saturation, and the degradation of spatial and environmental quality.

The project encourages researchers and destination stakeholders to analyze transformation processes in tourism with the aim of establishing deeper and more sustainable connections not only with the economy but also with local communities.

Keywords (up to 5):
Destinations, transformations, development models, education.

C. PROJECT COLLABORATORS (if applicable)

Faculty of Economics and Tourism (FET)

1. Prof. Jasmina Gržinić, Ph.D., Full Professor (Tenured) – Project Leader, Department of Tourism
2. Prof. Moira Kostić-Bobanović, Ph.D., Full Professor (Tenured) – Department of Foreign Languages
3. Prof. Aljoša Vitasović, Ph.D. – Department of Tourism
4. Prof. Mauro Dujmović, Ph.D. – Department of Tourism
5. Assoc. Prof. Nikola Vojnović, Ph.D. – Department of Tourism

External Members

6. Zdravko Šergo, Ph.D., Scientific Advisor (Institute of Agriculture and Tourism, Poreč)
7. Assoc. Prof. Maksym Bezpartochnyi, Ph.D. (Volyn National University, Ukraine)
8. Mirela Sučić Čevra, Ph.D. (Kuoni Tumlare Croatia)
9. Doris Cerin Otočan, Ph.D. (Museum of Wine Ltd.)
10. Josipa Jutt Ferlan, M.Sc. Econ. (Doctoral Candidate)
11. Alessandro Manzin, M.Sc. Econ. (Doctoral Candidate)

All project members from the home institution and external members within the scientific system maintain updated CROSBI and Google Scholar profiles.

D. EXPECTED RESULTS AND CONTRIBUTIONS

The analysis of the collected data and the achieved results will contribute to the understanding of structural changes in the Republic of Croatia. The objective is not merely to restore existing structures but to create a new model of destination functioning, often involving the diversification of target market segments, types of offerings, and branding strategies under conditions of economic instability (Butler, 2006). The empirical evidence obtained regarding the internal resilience of tourism may contribute to a stronger strategic approach to external influencing factors. Through intensified innovation, new management models, stakeholder partnerships at all levels, and a deeper understanding of change management concepts, stakeholder actions can be strategically redirected (Hall & Williams, 2019; Carlos & Balsas, 2024).

The expected scientific contributions are outlined below:

1. Given the predominance of studies focusing on digital and economic transformation, the first scientific contribution of this research is the development of a holistic model for impact analysis in tourism. The benefits for both the academic and professional communities lie in a broader interpretation of the achieved level of transformation within tourism structures, from a functional perspective, while identifying potential barriers.
2. Through the application of macroeconometric modelling in tourism research, a selective, illustrative, and in-depth approach to convergence in tourism trends will be undertaken. The professional community will be presented with examples of analytical reasoning on key research questions based on tourism-sector models, particularly in identifying links between tourist arrivals and the characteristics of business cycles.
3. The project will establish a framework of transformative knowledge (education) for stakeholders, facilitating the management of environmental changes through the implementation of the “Flipped Classroom” model and the Sustainable Learning Model (SLM) via the MOODLE learning platform. Its potential applicability lies in promoting a “sustainable learning” perspective focused on mentoring, research-based learning, interdisciplinary connections, and societal benefits. The research findings may help educators modify teaching approaches, develop new content, adapt curricula, and strengthen collaboration with local communities.
4. Another contribution is the examination of the impact of crises on tourism performance. The expected outcome is the confirmation of the effects of economic recessions and overtourism in host destinations on tourism results, tourist arrivals, revenues, and expenditures. The applicability of these findings lies in supporting strategic interventions aimed at sustaining tourism during recessionary periods and contributing to the broader discourse on tourism economics. Differences in approaches among countries will be identified, and development recommendations will be provided.
5. The research is expected to demonstrate the role of internal factors, such as economic cycle asynchrony and destination attractiveness, in influencing success within international tourism. The findings will highlight the relevance of studying tourism impacts from the perspectives of economic cycles, attractiveness, and partnerships within local communities. Future research should focus on underexplored factors, including ethical, political, interdisciplinary dimensions, and classification through subcategories. Such actions would increase the long-term resilience of destinations to crises.
6. The transfer of knowledge into tourism practice will be achieved through cooperation with private-sector organizations, namely Kuoni Tumlare Croatia and Muzej Vina d.o.o. Pula (as described in the Work Plan). The aim is to emphasize the importance of understanding environmental influences by supporting strategy development and providing education on the creation of authentic destination offerings targeted at students and the wider public.
7. The publication plan includes four accepted WoS/Scopus Q1/Q2 journal articles (to be published by the end of 2026/2027), two additional Scopus-indexed publications by 2028, and one chapter in a scientific book published by a renowned publisher (Routledge). These publications will be based on a sound methodological foundation and clearly justified feasibility linked to the outcomes of the scientific project.
8. The project results will be based on accessibility and open access principles, thereby increasing opportunities for implementation in strategic documents and practical applications, including local and regional government policies.
9. The project will continue development initiatives launched through the successfully completed Department project (Part E of the project proposal: Participation in Projects) and provide recommendations for further research addressing sustainable tourism development from various impact perspectives.
10. The project contributes to program performance indicators by increasing the number of research outputs with practical applicability, strengthening cooperation with stakeholders, and identifying innovative models in tourism.