September 27 or World Tourism Day is a date that has been chosen to mark and coincide with an important moment in world tourism, the anniversary of the adoption of the World Tourism Statute.
Faculty of Tourism, Hospitality and Environmental Management organized a roundtable entitled "Tourism in the growth of economic development: challenges and opportunities". Initially, welcoming remarks for the attendees were delivered by the Dean of the Faculty of Tourism and Culture, Prof. Assoc.Dr. Adam Dreshaj and the Rector of "Haxhi Zeka" University, Prof. Dr. Armand Krasniqi.
This event aimed to address the challenges and opportunities of tourism in increasing economic development by highlighting the contribution that the tourism sector can make in achieving these goals, on which presentations were heard from Prof.Assoc.Dr. Bedri Millaku, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Behrije Ramaj, as well as a discussion by Mr. Armend Delijaj, representative of the hotel and tourism industry.
The main findings of this event were: what was the development of tourism in the Republic of Kosovo, why are tourism statistics inaccurate and unclear, unresolved problems in ownership, the absence of global hotel brands, Covid-19 further burdened the tourism sector, what is Kosovo's position as a tourist destination in the international tourist market, the measures that need to be taken, further discussion was held regarding general statistics on the number of foreign and domestic visitors, the contribution of tourism to employment and GDP in Kosovo. It was emphasized that in 2018 there was the largest number of foreign tourists over 300,803 in Kosovo compared to other years, then Pristina was the most frequented region for both locals and foreigners to visit, while in second place was Peja. Meanwhile, according to the statistical yearbook, in 2019, the direct contribution of tourism with over 1% was highlighted in GDP, while with 3.5% it was in total employment.
Industry representatives discussed the necessity of professional programs that should be offered by universities. Present at this event were: the Acting Secretary of UHZ, the academic and administrative staff of the Faculty of MTHM and the Faculty of Business, the deans of the Academic Units (Faculty of Business and Faculty of Agribusiness), as well as the students of this faculty (Elijona, Mimoza, Djellza and Elsa), who helped with great dedication in organizing the event, and who also thanked the University and the Faculty for all the opportunities and tireless work towards the students.
At the end of this meeting, it was agreed that in the future there will be greater collaborations, enabling students to practice theory in tourism businesses.
