Tourism is one of the largest economic sectors, constantly changing and inevitably influenced by various global developments. Everyone working in tourism agrees that responsiveness, creativity and adaptability are key skills for high performing professionals.

On 29^th September in Kaunas University of Applied Sciences Tourism and Leisure Management Department organized a forum “Tourism: what to know, what to expect and how to contribute”. The World Tourism Day 2022 event, which brought together Kaunas University of Applied Sciences lecturers, students, tourism professionals, and amateurs, was held in a hybrid form. Participants shared their expertise and called for a rethinking of both travel habits and the services provided in the sector. Phd Andrius Brusokas, Head of the Department of Tourism and Leisure Management, welcomed the event.

The Forum started with a presentation by the Guest of Honor, Mr. Marius Gorochovskis, Chief Specialist of the Tourism Policy Unit of the Ministry of Economy and Innovation, entitled “From Challenges to Challenges: rethinking tourism”, which included an overview of the situation of inbound tourism up to the year 2020, a discussion on the challenges that the travel sector has been facing in the wake of the pandemic and the war in Ukraine, as well as a look at the future projections and plans.

Marija Pulokaite, the curator of the volunteering program and hospitality projects of “ Kaunas 2022 – European Capital of Culture” shared the local resident’s perspective on tourism and how Kaunas residents contribute to the city’s attractiveness for tourists, presented the Kaunas city and district community program “ Fluxus Labas!” projects and shared tips on how to become a creator of tourist experiences.

Kristina Citvarienė, Director of the Lithuanian Resorts Association, presented the tourism situation in Lithuanian resorts and resort areas, shared information on the forecasts of tourist flows, the uniqueness of resorts, the products under development, reviewed the transformation of tourism in the face of challenges, discussed the needs of travelers from the perspective of the modern tourist, and the prospects of health tourism.

Ana Krivenokienė, Project Manager of “E77”,  developers of unique hotel and spa projects, shared information about the nature of hospitality in Lithuania, development processes and trends, highlighted the attractiveness and potential of Lithuania’s natural resources, pointed out that a new way of travelling is gaining in popularity in the tourism sector by combining work and holidays, and shared insights that travelers are more often looking for unique experiences and are more likely to go on a solo travel.

Kristina Beinorytė, Board Member of Anykščiai Tourism Cluster, Director of MB “Marketing Guru”, revealed the subtleties of local tourism and new needs of travelers, shared her personal insights on the fact that today’s tourist wants to visit everything in the shortest possible time, highlighted the importance of tourism infrastructure and emphasized the role of catering and unique entertainment, education with children in the travel experience, and shared the characteristics of cooperation between tourism stakeholders and future strategies.

Daiva Anciūnaitė, Business Development Director of Baltic Clipper travel agency, discussed the challenges faced by tour operators in the face of constant change, as well as the trends in price growth, airline performance, provided insights into travel planning and shared tips on how to maintain the quality of services provided.

The event was concluded with the presentation and opening of the exhibition “Anuomet Kaune” by Asta Raškevičiūtė-Šimkevičienė, the chief bibliographer of the Kaunas County Public Library’s Casuistry Group. The exhibition offers an opportunity to see photographs from the period of the history of the Provisional Capital and to take a “walk” around interwar Kaunas in order to promote the knowledge of cultural heritage. The exhibition is located at Pramonės pr. 22A, ground floor. The exhibition will be open until Saturday 14 October.