International Conference “Co-creating Sustainable Tourism” Held Within the SOCRAT Project

On 18–19 June, the University of Zadar hosted the international scientific and professional conference Co-creating Sustainable Tourism, organised within the framework of the SOCRAT project.

The two-day conference brought together researchers, tourism professionals, and project partners from several European countries to exchange knowledge, research findings, and practical experiences related to sustainable tourism development. Discussions focused on innovative approaches to destination management, stakeholder engagement, community participation, and the preservation of local cultural heritage and identity.

The conference opened with a keynote lecture by Daniela Angelina Jelinčić, who presented practice-based pathways for transforming sustainability principles into concrete actions in cultural and creative tourism development. Participants were also introduced to the SOCRAT Creative Living Labs, which were presented as a successful model for co-creating tourism products through collaboration among local communities, tourism stakeholders, and other destination actors.

A highlight of the first day was a discussion with Zadar-based chef Josip Vrsaljko, who shared insights into the role of local gastronomy in sustainable tourism development and showcased examples of good practice.

Throughout the conference, around thirty scientific and professional presentations explored a wide range of topics, including community-based tourism, cultural and creative tourism, regenerative tourism, digital transformation, stakeholder co-creation, and innovative approaches to sustainable destination development.

The conference reaffirmed the importance of connecting academic research with practical implementation. By fostering interdisciplinary dialogue and international cooperation, it created valuable opportunities for knowledge exchange and contributed to the development of more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable tourism destinations.

We would like to thank all participants, speakers, and partners for their valuable contributions and for helping make the conference a successful platform for collaboration, learning, and future initiatives within the SOCRAT project.

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🌍 Last week, the University of Zadar hosted the international scientific and professional conference “Co-creating Sustainable Tourism”, organised within the SOCRAT project.

Over two inspiring days, researchers, tourism professionals, and project partners from across Europe exchanged knowledge and experiences on sustainable tourism development, with a special focus on stakeholder engagement, community participation, and the co-creation of tourism experiences.

Participants explored topics ranging from cultural and creative tourism and regenerative tourism to community-based development and innovative destination management approaches. The conference also showcased the SOCRAT Creative Living Labs as an effective model for developing sustainable tourism products through collaboration among local stakeholders.

A big thank you to all speakers, participants, and partners for contributing to meaningful discussions and helping advance more inclusive and sustainable tourism destinations.🤝🌱

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