On Thursday, April 9, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., Dr. Jérôme Piriou, Associate Professor at the Institute of Geography at the Université d’Angers, will give a lecture on tourism in France and the Benelux States in Room A204.

We look forward to welcoming interested students and colleagues.

In his lecture, Dr. Piriou will share his research findings in English on the characteristics, current trends, and future directions of tourism in France and the Benelux States.

The event is free and open to all interested parties.

In November 2025, our students went on a short-term study trip to Vienna, about which our students, Nádja Fekir (BSc in Finance and Accounting) and Zsófia Dorina Nagy (MSc in Management and Leadership) sent the following report.

For many participating university students, the study trip to Vienna organized as part of the Pannonia Scholarship Program was the first short-term mobility experience. Vienna was not only a destination, but also a learning environment full of experiences and new perspectives for all of us.

The most outstanding and professional elements of the study trip to Vienna was the visit to Modul University. Located on Kahlenberg mountain top in a natural environment, this private university exuded a special atmosphere from the moment we arrived: it was even snowing in the higher areas, which made our stay there even more unique. We were greeted with a warm welcome and thoughtful preparations.

The presentation of the institution provided us with a comprehensive overview of the university’s history, current operations, and research activities. Particularly interesting was the presentation of the TourMIS marketing-information-system for tourism managers which is a comprehensive database of tourism statistics and trends, available for free to anyone upon registration. Guided by local students, we visited the university library, the canteen and gained an insight into an interactive lesson. The operation, facilities, training structures, and international student environment of this private university differ significantly from the familiar world of Hungarian universities, yet in many ways it resembles the aspirations of the University of Pannonia. It showed us the direction in which we can continue to develop, whether as undergraduate or master’s students. At the end of the visit, we received a university gift package, which further reinforced the welcoming atmosphere.

In addition to visiting the university, we also had the opportunity to visit Vienna’s tourist attractions. We visited Vienna’s iconic sites: from the impressive interior of St. Stephen’s Cathedral and the historical depths of the catacombs to the festive atmosphere of the Christmas market at Rathausplatz. The city’s Advent lights, decorated streets, and bustling markets added a magical atmosphere to the trip.

During our stay, we had a museum day, which offered a meaningful and interactive experience: 1) at the Sisi Museum, we learned about the life of Queen Elisabeth with the help of an audio guide, 2) the Vienna Museum took us through the history of the city, 3) the innovative, interactive exhibitions at the Haus der Musik gave us an insight into the world of music history. Furthermore, we visited the Natural History Museum, whose huge, three-story exhibition was also a memorable stop, full of minerals, dinosaurs, and human and animal curiosities.

In addition to the scheduled programs, we also had the opportunity to enjoy some free time. We visited the Prater and its Christmas market. We also went to Schönbrunn Palace, one of the most famous sights in Vienna, which was resplendent in winter decorations with its huge garden when we arrived.

On behalf of all of us, we can say that the cultural impressions and shared experiences we gained over several days have created lasting memories for us. The study trip to Vienna was rich in both programs and experiences. During the study trip, we were able to gain valuable knowledge about tourism that we shared with our classmates, as well.

We recommend the short-term mobility opportunities offered by the Pannonia Scholarship Program to all students and teachers, as it not only allows them to develop their professional and foreign language skills, but also to learn about new cultures. The organizers, accompanying lecturers and the staff of the International Mobility Department provided support throughout the implementation of the program. We are grateful for the organization of the program, the new connections, and the many experiences!

The “Ideation Workshop” of the CROCUS project was held on 20 November 2025 in the Halis István City Library, where participants had the opportunity to jointly reflect on the future of cultural and creative tourism in the South Zala and Slovenian–Hungarian border regions.

The CROCUS project, implemented in cooperation with ten professional organisations from eight countries, aims to develop business and development models that strengthen tourism in rural, remote and cross-border areas, thereby fostering job creation and encouraging sustainable investments. In spring 2025, researchers from the University of Pannonia carried out extensive data collection and analysis in the South Zala and Pomurske regions, mapping the local characteristics, opportunities and challenges.

The project was presented by the university experts Dr. Ágnes Raffay-Danyi and Dr. Zsófia Papp, while the facilitator of the workshop was Réka Vámosi. The goal of the workshop was to initiate idea development, strengthen trust among participants, and lay the foundations necessary for the later creation of a business model prototype. Throughout the day, the facilitator guided participants through a creative and structured process that helped them explore the challenges and opportunities of their region from new perspectives, and identify potential cooperation and business opportunities.

As a result of the collaborative work, several promising project idea outlines were created. Among these, 1-3 concepts will be further developed at the next workshop in January 2026, each based on the region’s unique characteristics and the potential identified within the living labs.

More information about the CROCUS project:

• https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101132454/it
• https://crocuseurope.eu
• https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13022258/

In November 2025, students of the University of Pannonia participated a short-term professional study trip to Vienna.

During their visit to Modul University, students and colleagues gained an insight into the university’s operations, with a particular focus on master’s programs, tourism research conducted at the university, and the TourMIS tourism information system.

In addition to the university visit, the study trip provided great opportunity to visit tourist attractions in Vienna.

Thanks to the Pannonia Scholarship Program, during the four days, participants not only gained valuable tourism knowledge in the areas of destination management, culture, and attractions, but also enjoyed lifelong experiences spent together.

The Horizon Europe project CROCUS – Cross-Border Cultural and Creative Tourism in Rural and Remote Areas has published its first synthesis report, coordinated by the Zangador Research Institute (Bulgaria). The research provides a comprehensive analysis of the socio-economic, environmental, and cultural contexts of eight cross-border Living Labs across Europe, setting the foundation for the development of innovative and sustainable business models for cultural and creative tourism.

An Unprecedented Survey Across Eight European Rural and Remote Cross-border Areas

The WP4 report gathers findings from eight Living Lab areas located across 14 countries, from Scandinavia to the Balkans, and from the Alps to the Black Sea. A total of 2,138 participants contributed to the research, including 1,048 local residents, 233 tourism business representatives, and 731 visitors, complemented by 126 in-depth interviews with key stakeholders.

Summing up findings, Stan Ivanov, CEO of Zangador Institute, says:

“This report represents one of the most extensive empirical studies on cultural and creative tourism in rural and remote areas ever conducted in Europe.
Through eight Living Labs and the participation of over 2,100 respondents, we have captured the heartbeat of Europe’s rural territories: their resilience, creativity, and desire for sustainable development. The findings confirm that cultural heritage is a cornerstone of community identity and a key driver of local economies, while also highlighting the need for inclusive governance and balance between growth and preservation. These insights will serve as a solid evidence base for CROCUS partners as we move toward co-creating innovative, sustainable business models that connect people, places, and culture across borders.” — Stan Ivanov, CEO, Zangador Research Institute

Key Findings

The report identifies common challenges and opportunities shared by cross-border and rural areas in Europe:

• Demographics: Populations are aging and declining, with low density threatening long-term economic sustainability.
• Economy: The Living Labs show diverse local economies, traditionally based on agriculture, forestry, and light industry, now increasingly turning toward services and tourism.
• Cultural heritage: Tangible and intangible heritage – from gastronomy and crafts to historical architecture and festivals – is recognised as the core asset for CCT development across all areas.
• Tourism as a driver of vitality: Tourism is universally perceived as crucial to local and regional economies. It provides strong incentives for preserving local culture and traditions and enhances quality of life through improved local services.
• Challenges: Concerns remain about traffic congestion, over-commercialisation of cultural heritage, and carrying capacity issues during peak seasons. Perceptions of tourism’s environmental impacts are ambivalent, with both positive and negative views expressed.
• Community well-being: Residents demonstrate strong place attachment and moderate-to-high satisfaction with their local quality of life.
• Governance and participation: Stakeholders call for stronger public support and promotion of tourism, along with inclusive strategies for community participation.
• Gender differences: The report highlights gendered perceptions across residents, businesses, and visitors, with women generally showing stronger emotional attachment to place, greater recognition of tourism’s economic benefits, and higher satisfaction with destinations.

Foundations for Future Action

The findings of the report will inform the next steps in CROCUS, where partners will design and prototype sustainable and inclusive cultural and creative tourism business models tailored to each Living Lab area. These models will guide future collaboration, strengthen community participation, and encourage responsible cross-border tourism practices.

About CROCUS

CROCUS (Cross-Border Cultural and Creative Tourism in Rural and Remote Areas) is a Horizon Europe project (Grant Agreement No. 101132454) funded under the call HORIZON-CL2-2023-HERITAGE-01. The project runs from April 2024 to March 2027 and brings together universities, research institutes, and tourism stakeholders from across Europe to foster sustainable and inclusive cultural tourism in less-populated regions.

For more information about the project and the living lab areas: https://crocuseurope.eu/

Media contact: Stan Ivanov – info@zangador.institute