engleski

114. Professional Profile and Education Framework for Managers in the Croatian Health Tourism Sector

Purpose of this research is to indicate the importance of influential factors, relevant for shaping the profile of managers in the Croatian health tourism sector, based on the following research questions: (1) Are these kinds of requirements defined in the Croatian strategic documents and to what extent? (2) Is the development of health tourism in Croatia following the global trends and tourism market needs? (3) Are capabilities provided by the Croatian Qualification Framework (CROQF) good starting point for achieving an interdisciplinary education for management in the health-tourism sector? (4) How should the education framework for manager be designed in order to be able to respond to the challenges in the health tourism? Methodology - To answer these questions the authors conducted the research in 2015. The representative sample consisted of all Croatian health spa/resorts (3), 90% of special hospitals (10) and the most important thermal- spa hotels (4). The achieved results were critically reviewed according to the theoretical knowledge and globally recognized practice. In this process the basic hypothesis that “in Croatia relevant preconditions for interdisciplinary education of manager, necessary for the development of health-tourism on a new basis, have not been created yet” was proven. Findings - The goal of this paper is to recognize the best way for shaping interdisciplinary approach of specific knowledge, skills and competencies directed to achieve the synergy among medical, wellness and spa services, that will be presented in accordance with the global trends and modern customer needs. Ensuring appropriate human resources with the specific interdisciplinary knowledge, skills and competencies in order to achieve the ambitious targets of institutions involved in the health-tourism services, For this purpose the legal framework and the achievement of best practice, will be taken into account. Contribution to the theory is recognized through defining interdisciplinary approach to creating a profile of manager education for health-tourism business needs. Contribution to the practice is recognized through assessment the areas and activity that should be improved, gaining knowledge through new interdisciplinary programs as a prerequisite for increasing the health-tourism efficiency and effectiveness.

Curriculum; Croatian Qualifications Framework; Interdisciplinary Approach; Manager's Education; Health-Tourism Business

Indexed in CIRET, EBSCO – Hospitality & Tourism Complete, ProQuest – ABI/INFORM and RePEc.