Redefining hospitality: Petar Aračić’s journey
When Petar Aračić chose RIT Croatia in Dubrovnik over a more conventional path, he didn’t just pick a university—he picked a city that would shape his future. “Dubrovnik felt more inspiring and vibrant,” he recalls. “It felt right for what I wanted to pursue.” What he didn’t know then was just how far that decision would take him—from managing five hotels to founding one of the most promising hospitality tech startups.
Petar graduated from RIT Croatia’s Hospitality and Tourism Management program in 2012, carrying with him more than just a degree. “RIT Croatia taught me how to pitch, how to sell—not just products, but a vision,” he says. “It was where I learned to lead, to collaborate, and to turn an idea into reality.”
Leading with passion, innovating with purpose
Some of the most pivotal moments during his academic journey came from the mentorship of professors like Milena Kužnin, Dr. Staša Puškarić, and many others. “They weren’t just professors; they became friends, mentors, and inspirations,” he says.
After graduation, Petar quickly rose through the hospitality ranks, eventually becoming a hotel director. But even then, the entrepreneurial spark was burning. “You either love tourism or you don’t—there’s no in between. For me, it was (and still is) a passion,” he explains.
That passion led to Fast Review, a tech startup he co-founded to tackle a very real problem: getting satisfied hotel guests to leave online reviews. “It started out of pure frustration,” he admits. “I wanted to make the process simple and seamless—for guests and staff alike.” What began as an internal tool grew into a global platform now used by almost every major hotel brand.
Petar’s ability to merge hospitality’s people-first ethos with the speed and scalability of tech has been key to his success. “I constantly remind our tech team that we’re not just building software—we’re building emotional experiences,” he says. “You have to understand people before you can build for them.”
Growing globally while staying grounded
Scaling Fast Review came with challenges—from earning trust in a skeptical industry to building the right team. But Petar believes persistence and people are what made the difference. “Surround yourself with smart and happy people—their energy is everything,” he advises young entrepreneurs.
Today, Fast Review boasts offices in cities like Valencia, Riyadh, Dubai, London, and beyond, with plans to expand into Asia soon. Petar is especially proud of the cultural adaptability it took to scale globally. “What works in Zagreb might not work in Riyadh. That’s the challenge—and the beauty—of going global.”
Beyond Fast Review, Petar also founded the Hotel IT Summit, a hospitality-tech gathering born from his desire to spark real conversations between hotel professionals and tech companies. “I wanted something honest, not salesy,” he says. “And I think we’ve achieved that.”
As for the future? Petar sees Fast Review becoming a standard tool in hotels worldwide, and himself continuing to innovate, build, and inspire. “I don’t like standing still. There are new products already in the pipeline. Stay tuned.”
To current RIT Croatia students and recent grads, his advice is simple but powerful: “Be patient, but persistent. Build real relationships. Dream big.”
And if he could whisper something to his 2012 self? “Don’t waste time on people or fears that won’t matter five years from now. Surround yourself with happy and smart people. That’s the real magic.”
