1. Sacred or sold? : A systems approach to balancing spirituality and commercialisation in faith-based tourismTadeja Jere Jakulin, Dane Munro, 2026, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: This paper examines the complexity of pilgrimage tourism, with its interdependencies among sacredness, spirituality, and commercialisation at faith-based tourism destinations. We use a Systems Approach to move beyond linear thinking that positions spirituality and commerce as inherently oppositional forces, arguing that pilgrimage destinations function as complex adaptive systems in which spiritual, commercial, and educational objectives interact dynamically. We build Causal Loop Diagrams (CLDs) formed from autoethnographic observation and stakeholder discussions. We present and compare four pilgrimage sites: Lourdes (France), Brezje (Slovenia), Malta, and Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia (Türkiye). The CLD models reveal the dynamics of the pilgrimage sites, the interdependencies, and the interactions among stakeholders (elements of the system). The systems approach demonstrates that successful destinations manage pilgrimage sites as integrated systems in which activities complement and constrain one another through feedback loops. Using a Systems Methodology, the article develops the dynamics of pilgrimage environments and presents a new typology of four pilgrimage (sacred) and commercial (secular) destinations. By advancing knowledge and education, the spiritual-commercial role of the sacred- secular destinations in question offers a different, comprehensive approach to their management.
Ključne besede: religious tourism, commercialization of pilgrimage, spiritual authenticity, systemic dynamics, management of sacred sites, heritage education
Objavljeno v RUP: 06.05.2026; Ogledov: 134; Prenosov: 6
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2. Time-money segment differences in ideation and collaboration readiness in sustainable tourism educationDejan Križaj, 2026, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: This study examines whether tourism students’ self-reported time–money use patterns are related to their readiness to collaborate on idea development, and whether sustain- ability emerges spontaneously in their tourism innovation ideas. Using an anonymised dataset of open-ended questionnaire responses from Slovenian higher education tourism students (N = 597; 2019–2025), we applied deterministic rule-based coding to classify the presence of actionable ideas and sustainability framing, as well as collaboration readiness and conditions. Actionable ideas were common (53.4%), but sustainability framing was uncommon (7.5%). Most respondents were unconditionally willing to collaborate (69.3%), while 30.7% expressed conditional willingness or unwillingness. Time–money behavioural segments were significantly associated with collaboration reservations, whereas segment differences in ideation and sustainability framing were not significant. Among students expressing reservations, topic match and perceived team quality were the most frequently stated conditions. These findings indicate that sustainability-oriented tourism education should support both sustainability integration and low-risk collaboration through clear project briefs, topic-based matching, and team-process supports. The conclusions should be interpreted with reasonable caution as they are context-specific evidence based on self- reported, rule-coded responses, particularly for sustainability framing, where positive cases were rare. In this context, segmentation should be regarded as a diagnostic tool for course design rather than as a basis for labelling students.
Ključne besede: tourism education, sustainability, collaboration readiness, behavioural segmentation, time–money trade-offs, project-based learning, open-ended survey, clustering
Objavljeno v RUP: 04.05.2026; Ogledov: 157; Prenosov: 7
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3. Prosthetic memory and film-induced dark tourism in the specific post-conflict context : a divergent young adults’ perspectiveMetod Šuligoj, Jasna Hartman, 2026, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: The present postmodernist study explores how widely accessible films depicting tragic historical sites/events influence prosthetic memories and film-induced dark tourism among Western Balkan (the ‘region of memory’) young adult new-age platform users with no personal war experience. A heterogeneous list of ten internation - ally known historical films, compiled with the help of informants, was the basis for discussion in three nationally diverse focus groups (Croatian, Serbian, Bosnian- Herzegovinian) and then compared with a comparison group from a less stressed environment. The results of the content analysis with triangulation are discussed, and explaining the missing prosthetic memory, factual knowledge and film-induced dark tourism nexus among young adults in a peculiarly toxic post-conflict atmosphere. The study thus identifies historical film and dark tourism abstainers and explains deviations not pre - viously reported in studies of the above concepts, taking into account the specific social environment and age group.
Ključne besede: prosthetic memory, learning history, dark tourism, film-induced tourism, post-conflict society, young adults
Objavljeno v RUP: 02.04.2026; Ogledov: 348; Prenosov: 5
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5. Make Osor great again : accessible archaeology between island and cloudZrinka Mileusnić, 2025, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: Osor, a small settlement, embodies the tension between exceptional archaeological significance and limited contemporary accessibility. Once a key maritime and ecclesiastical centre of the northern Adri- atic, it is today marked by demographic decline, infrastructural constraints, and strong tourism sea- sonality. This article conceptualises accessibility as a multidimensional heritage problem that extends beyond physical access to include interpretation, knowledge circulation, and public engagement. Fo- cusing on digital heritage tools, particularly the concept of a digital twin, it argues that digitally me- diated access can transform archaeological research into a distributed educational and cultural in- frastructure. Osor is presented as a pilot case for rethinking heritage promotion, interpretation and presentation in small and remote sites, aligning archaeological interpretation with sustainability, inno- vation, and learning.
Ključne besede: archaeological heritage, digital heritage, accessibility, digital twin, sustainable tourism
Objavljeno v RUP: 06.03.2026; Ogledov: 316; Prenosov: 9
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6. Validating Gastronomy as a Distinct Tourism Typology : A Meta-Synthesis Systematic ReviewI Nyoman Cahyadi Wijaya, Budi Shantika, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: This study examines the intellectual development of gastronomy tourism as a distinct typology within the tourism discipline. Through a meta-synthesis of 63 peer-reviewed articles published between 1998 and 2025, the research identifies six major thematic clusters: cultural heritage, experiential practices, economic entrepreneurship, sustainability integration, social identity, and technological innovation. These clusters reveal how gastronomy has evolved beyond its traditional role as a cultural complement into a central driver of destination identity, competitiveness, and policy. The study also introduces a three-stage development model of recognition, integration, and specialization that describes how destinations institutionalize gastronomy tourism over time. Findings show that gastronomy engages in multiple dimensions: it preserves heritage, enhances visitor experience, stimulates local economies, promotes sustainability, strengthens community belonging, and adapts to digital platforms. This multi-dimensionality supports the argument that gastronomy has matured into a distinct tourism typology. The study contributes theoretically by synthesizing fragmented literature and practically by offering a framework for policymakers, destination planners, and entrepreneurs to integrate gastronomy strategically.
Ključne besede: gastronomy tourism, tourism typology, meta-synthesis, systematic review
Objavljeno v RUP: 06.03.2026; Ogledov: 306; Prenosov: 10
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7. A Bibliometric Perspective on Health, Medical, and Wellness Tourism Research : Trends, Themes, and Future DirectionsTayfun Arar, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: Although medical tourism, wellness tourism, and health tourism have expanded significantly in recent decades, research has often addressed them separately, limiting comprehensive understanding of their shared development, particularly in response to global health disruptions. This study addresses that gap by conducting a unified bibliometric analysis that maps the thematic evolution, intellectual foundations, and collaboration patterns across health-oriented tourism. A total of 1,717 peer-reviewed articles published between 1974 and 2025 were retrieved through title-based searches from Scopus and Web of Science. Data were cleaned, merged, and analysed using the Biblioshiny 4.0 platform, with performance metrics, co-occurrence networks, thematic mapping, and international collaboration examined. The study also compares recent patterns with earlier bibliometric research to assess the continuity and divergence in the field’s development. The analysis yields three key findings. First, academic interest surged post-2010, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic. Second, thematic clusters show a shift from treatment-focused medical tourism/health tourism toward wellness, mental health, and preventive care, suggesting a broader emphasis on proactive well-being. Third, co-authorship analysis reveals regionally concentrated networks with limited integration between Global North and South researchers. Theoretically, the study contributes to the Push-Pull Theory of Travel Motivation by integrating health-specific drivers such as affordability, safety, risk perception, and psychological well-being. It also adds to crisis-sensitive tourism literature by linking global disruptions to evolving motivational structures. Practically, the findings provide actionable insights for policymakers and destination managers seeking to align services with shifting post-pandemic traveller priorities and to reposition health-focused destinations in a more resilient global tourism economy.
Ključne besede: health tourism, medical tourism, wellness tourism, bibliometric analysis, COVID-19
Objavljeno v RUP: 06.03.2026; Ogledov: 330; Prenosov: 12
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8. From Views to Potential Behaviours : The Role of Travel Vlogs and Digital Nudging in Croatian Coastal TourismLidija Nujić Pečenec, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: This study investigates how travel vloggers potentially influence tourist behaviour through digital nudging, focusing on four Croatian coastal cities: Dubrovnik, Split, Zadar, and Šibenik. Using qualitative thematic analysis of a purposive sample of English-language YouTube travel vlogs, the research addresses three questions: (1) the types of problems vloggers encounter at the destination, (2) the advice they offer and how it may function as digital nudging, and (3) their motivations for content creation. Findings show that vloggers frequently report issues such as overcrowding, noise, and high prices, often framing these as experiential warnings. Their advice, ranging from strategies to avoid crowds to promoting cultural awareness, could function as informal behavioural guidance. Identified nudging techniques include simplification, framing, priming, loss aversion, and the messenger effect. Vloggers are motivated by audience growth and channel promotion, financial incentives, and informative intent. The study contributes to the growing field of digital nudging by highlighting the potential role of vloggers as informal behavioural influencers in tourism. It bridges behavioural science, tourism studies, and digital media research, showing how peer-generated content on digital platforms could subtly shape tourist behaviour. Practically, the findings suggest that collaboration with vloggers could offer destination management organizations (DMOs) and tourism professionals a scalable, cost-effective method to promote sustainable and culturally sensitive travel behaviours. By embedding incentives in authentic, understandable content, destinations may indirectly address challenges such as overtourism and environmental degradation.
Ključne besede: digital nudging, tourism, social media vlogs, tourist behaviour
Objavljeno v RUP: 06.03.2026; Ogledov: 301; Prenosov: 17
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9. Conceptualisation of Forest Tourism : The Kočevsko Case StudyBarbara Pavlakovič Farrell, Vita Petek, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: This paper presents the definition of forest tourism and three varieties of forest tourism activities. An empirical study was conducted to examine the perception of forest tourism and forest activities in the case study of the Kočevsko forest in Slovenia. The triangulation approach consisted of a survey among Slovenian tourists, interviews with tourism stakeholders, and content analysis of promotional elements of the Kočevsko destination. The data showed that tourists find forest destinations interesting, safe, unspoilt, and suitable for young people and families. They describe forest tourism with the words ‘bear’, ‘forest’, and ‘nature’. The respondents mostly prefer outdoor forest activities, wildlife observation slightly less, and lastly the relaxation options. The knowledge gained could help forest destinations to develop their products and adopt the appropriate customer approach.
Ključne besede: forest tourism, nature-based tourism, destination management, wildlife, outdoor recreation, forest relaxation
Objavljeno v RUP: 06.03.2026; Ogledov: 331; Prenosov: 15
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10. Case Study : Is Bucharest a Smart Tourist Destination?Luciana Maria Popa, 2025, objavljeni znanstveni prispevek na konferenci Opis: The paper explores the concept of smart tourism in relation to Bucharest, aiming to assess whether the city qualifies as a smart tourist destination. It includes a literature review to define "smart" in the tourism context, a qualitative analysis of semi-structured interviews, with expert interviews from tourism, IT, education, and NGO sectors to understand the role of technology in destination, and a PESTE analysis to identify key challenges and opportunities, for a deeper look at the interview results. The study proposes indicators for evaluating a smart destination and offers practical recommendations. The research provides meaningful insights with strong practical value for tourism decision-makers. It also serves as a foundation for future studies, potentially focusing on the balance between tradition and innovation in the context of smart tourism.
Ključne besede: smart tourism, smart tourist destinations, smart cities, agile and resilient destinations
Objavljeno v RUP: 04.03.2026; Ogledov: 306; Prenosov: 11
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