World Tourism Day, celebrated annually around the globe, highlights the importance of the tourism sector, which creates job opportunities, supports local communities, and helps make cultural and natural heritage accessible. It also raises the question of how to develop destinations to be attractive to visitors and beneficial for the people who live there. This theme also has its place in academia, where future professionals prepare for the challenges they will face in practice.
The Institute of Cultural Management and Tourism, Cultural Studies, and Ethnology at FF UKF organized the 21st edition of the event on the occasion of World Tourism Day in 2026. The event took place on October 7, 2026, at the premises of ŠD Nitra. Guests were welcomed by the Vice-Dean for External Relations and Social Affairs, PhDr. Michala Fúsková, PhD., and the director of the institute, prof. PhDr. Boris Michalík, PhD.
Following the opening, there were presentations by invited experts. Martin Kusenda, director of the Old Theatre of Karol Spišák in Nitra, spoke about the functioning and management of the theatre as a cultural institution. Traveler and freelance marketer Silvia Púchovská described how her life experiences inspired her to write a book and how she turned her hobbies into a professional activity. Oliver Kluch, director of the travel agency Koala, discussed creating trips for families. He focused on finding a balance between an attractive offer, affordable pricing, and the effective operation of the travel agency. Chef of the restaurant Pálenica Jelšovce Matúš Remenár shared experiences from studying and working abroad that preceded his current position. Bc. Roman Valo, director of the Ensana Esplanade Hotel in Piešťany, added insights into hotel management and leading a large work team.
The guests’ presentations sparked many questions and lively discussions. The program concluded with a knowledge quiz prepared by third-year students of the cultural management and tourism program. The overall organization of the event, under the leadership of PhDr. Roman Zima, PhD., was primarily carried out by third-year Bc. students of the cultural management and tourism program N. Piknová, E. Matulová, and K. Zvardoňová, who were able to test their management skills in practice.
Similar events are an important part of university life and strengthen relationships between the academic environment and organizations or companies operating in the region. Meetings with experts provide stimuli for teaching and allow students to compare knowledge from lectures with practical experiences, helping them also to create a clearer idea of future professional opportunities.
Text: Mgr. Liudmyla Trubinova
Photo: PhDr. Roman Zima, PhD., and Ema Matulová