Senior Project Research Presentations Highlight Hospitality and Tourism Insights

Senior Project Research Presentations Highlight Hospitality and Tourism Insights

On Saturday, April 27, graduating students from RIT Croatia's Hospitality and Tourism Management program showcased their final research presentations at the Hotel Palace in Dubrovnik.

The event, which marked the culmination of the semester-long Senior Project course taught by RIT Croatia's instructor, Rebecca Charry, provided a platform for students to delve into topics of their interest. Under Charry's guidance, students undertook in-depth research, honed their analytical skills, and crafted comprehensive projects encompassing literature reviews, research outcomes, and conclusions.

From examining employee recognition in hospitality to exploring the impact of AI on hiring processes, the presentations reflected the students' dedication and intellectual curiosity. Notable topics included:

• From High Fives to High Performance: The Importance of Employee Recognition in Hospitality, Nikolina Herceg (mentored by Milena Kužnin)
• Across Generations: Understanding Behavioral Dynamics in the Workplace, Nikolina Jerkić (mentored by Milena Kužnin)
• Toxic Workplace Relationships and Hospitality Intern Satisfaction, Gea Korač (mentored by Milena Kužnin)
• Hospitality or Beyond? Insights Into Students' Career Decisions, Iva Vuković (mentored by Dr. Besim Agušaj)
• Unlocking Talent: Retention Strategies for Luxury Hotels in Croatia and Montenegro, Jana Radonjić (mentored by Dr. Besim Agušaj)
• From Resumes to Robots: The Evolution of AI in the Hiring Process, Ivana Šušnjara (mentored by Dr. Besim Agušaj)
• Building Bonds: The Power of Co-Worker Support, Sara Karamanaga (mentored by Dr. Besim Agušaj)
• Like, Click and Share: New Marketing Trends in the Restaurant Industry, Kristiana Sain (mentored by Dr. Vanda Bazdan)
• A Blessing or a Curse? Residents' Outlook on Dubrovnik Cruise Tourism, Katija Vulicević (mentored by Kevin Walker)
• Quantity or Quality? Effects of over-tourism on Restaurant Service Quality in Dubrovnik, Mara Petrušić (mentored by Kevin Walker)
• Kotor's Journey from Mass to Luxury Tourism: Entrepreneurial Strategies, Uroš Cikić (mentored by Kevin Walker)
• Challenges for Male Students in Hospitality Education and Employment, Adnan Morina, (mentored by Rebecca Charry)
• Service Beyond the Screen: Guest Preferences for AI or Human Engagement in Hotel, Jak Kojaković (mentored by Rebecca Charry)
• Augmented Reality Applications in Cultural Tourism: Customer Review, Petar Bazdan (mentored by Rebecca Charry)
• Exploring Community Engagement in the Development of Tourism in Dubrovnik, Gea Dabrović (mentored by Zrinka Friganović Sain)
• Wheeling through Dubrovnik: Investigating Amenity Accessibility, Ante Kolunđija (mentored by Zrinka Friganović Sain)
• Insta-Engage: Exploring Social Media Marketing Tactics for Luxury Hotels in Croatia, Jelena Muštra (mentored by Zrinka Friganović Sain)
• From field to table: Sustainable Gastronomy of Dubrovnik, Mateo Radić (mentored by Zrinka Friganović Sain)
• Young Travelers' Opinions on Data Privacy in Hotel Stays: How do Two Cannibals and a Vegan Vote on What to Have for Dinner, Jovan Bukilić (mentored by Dr. Nikolina Božinović)
• Destination Dubrovnik: Exploring MICE Opportunities and trends, Erika Marušić (mentored by Barbara Perić)
• Beyond the Game:  European Waterpolo Championship's Influence on Dubrovnik's Sport Tourism, Petra Bošković (mentored by Barbara Perić)

As the presentations concluded, Rebecca Charry expressed her pride in the students' achievements, stating, "I am so proud and grateful for the opportunity to teach such an intelligent and hardworking group of students, and to learn from them as well."

The event showcased the students' academic prowess and underscored their potential contributions to the future of the hospitality and tourism industry in Croatia and beyond. Congratulations to all HTM graduating students on their memorable presentations!