HTM students triumphed at National Tourism Hackathon: A masterclass in innovation and mentorship

In a stunning display of creativity and strategic thinking, Hospitality and Tourism Management (HTM) students Domenica Vukić, Marta Ožegović, and Lukrecija Novaković secured 1st place at the national Tourism Hackathon Pitch. Held as part of the TOURISM 365 Conference Young Crew Meet Up 2026, the competition challenged the brightest young minds in Croatia to solve one of the industry's most persistent issues: seasonality.

From vision to victory: The "behind-the-scenes" driver

The journey to the top began back at RIT Croatia, driven by Dr. Marlena Ćukteraš, who recognized the team’s "1st place potential". Inspired by a previous international success in Opatija, Dr. Ćukteraš hand-picked the trio for their complementary strengths: Domenica’s analytical skills, Marta’s business design flair, and Lukrecija’s deep-rooted understanding of eco-sustainability. "They are competitively driven... which was a strong indicator of potential," noted Dr. Ćukteraš. "The hackathon was an opportunity for students to apply what they've learned under tight deadlines and pressure, demonstrating how teamwork and new ideas lead to success".

Solving the seasonality puzzle

The challenge was clear: to transform a destination into a year-round attraction. The RIT Croatia team focused on Dubrovnik-Neretva County, identifying overcrowding in the Old Town as a critical "pain point".

Their winning solution was an online agency focused on authentic, immersive agro tourism. By connecting tourists with the local community through activities like orange-picking in the Neretva Valley and traditional cooking classes on local farms, they created a model that was both fresh and authentic.

Domenica Vukić highlighted the realism and collaborative energy of their approach, noting that the team shifted quickly into a dynamic brainstorming mode where they built on each other’s thoughts. "Our idea didn’t require a large startup budget... instead of creating something entirely new, we focused on connecting and enhancing what is already there—acting as a kind of 'glue' that brings everything together," she explained.

Marta Ožegović emphasized the importance of community and the courage to step outside the classroom. "Instead of going mainstream, we wanted to merge our consumers with the local population so that they truly understand the culture," she stated, adding that their online business model ensured feasibility through minimal starting costs and a conservative break-even point.

Lukrecija Novaković reflected on the creative freedom and the specific immersive experiences they designed, such as visiting local farms to pick vegetables or milking cows. "One of the most innovative aspects was how we combined existing elements into new, immersive experiences," she noted, specifically pointing to an orange-picking journey in the Neretva Valley where visitors create traditional arancini with the local community.

The students credited their success to the rigorous HTM curriculum, citing courses like Business 1, Customer Experience Management, and Organizational Behavior as the frameworks that allowed them to deliver a professional five-minute pitch.

On-site mentorship and the RIT Croatia spirit

While the groundwork was laid in the classroom, Dr. Kristina Šorić provided the essential on-site leadership needed to cross the finish line. As Business Department Chair at RIT Croatia, her role was focused on motivation and guiding the students through the high-pressure atmosphere of the event. "My advice was to stay authentic and confidently present their RIT Croatia spirit," said Dr. Šorić. She described the atmosphere in Zabok as "supportive and pleasant," noting that she realized the team had a winning concept when she saw how realistic and "ready-to-go" their idea was: "The infrastructure was already in place, meaning they could start immediately".

Congratulations to the winning team, we are on the lookout for their future success!