Sustainable Cities as a Driver of Sustainable Tourism and Economic Development (May 8, 2026)
🌱 Sustainable Cities as the Foundation of a Competitive Economy and Tourism
📅 May 8, 2026
📍 Rijeka, City Hall
The Croatian Corporate Governance and Management Society (CCGM) invites all interested participants to its conference, “Sustainable Cities as a Driver of Sustainable Tourism and Economic Development,” which is to be held on May 8, 2026, in Rijeka.
The conference is organized under the auspices of the European Commission Representation in Croatia and the Ministry of Tourism and Sport, with the support of the City of Rijeka.
The aim of the conference is to address two key questions:
(1) how cities can become drivers of sustainable economic transformation, and
(2) what opportunities cities create for entrepreneurs, investors, and local communities.
At a time when sustainability, innovation, and sound corporate governance are becoming key drivers of development, the conference provides a platform for discussing strategies for developing sustainable and smart cities, the role of the circular economy in tourism and the broader economy, as well as models for financing and effectively implementing sustainable solutions. Special attention will be given to new business models and investment opportunities, as well as the concept of regenerative tourism and its impact on local communities. In this context, particular emphasis is placed on good governance, transparency, and accountability as prerequisites for long-term sustainability, with a focus on practical examples, public–private sector collaboration, and the development of guidelines for future action.
The conference will bring together representatives from academia, the public sector, industry, and international organizations, with a strong emphasis on the social dimension of sustainability and the role of governance structures in shaping sustainable strategies. The program includes keynote speeches, thematic panels, and case studies—ranging from the application of smart technologies and circular economy principles to issues of social sustainability, the evergreen economy, and the integration of ESG principles into corporate governance systems.
The conference is intended for a wide range of stakeholders: representatives of the public sector at the city, municipal, and county levels; entrepreneurs and the business community—particularly in tourism, construction, services, and the food industry—as well as members of management and supervisory boards, and sustainability and ESG experts. It will also bring together representatives from the financial and investment sector, academia and research, as well as international organizations and development agencies.
SPEAKERS AND PANELISTS
SUSTAINABLE CITY STRATEGIES
Iva Rinčić, City of Rijeka
Assoc. Prof. Vedran Kirinčić, PhD (RITEH)
Vedran Vivoda, City of Rijeka
Ivan Marin, CEO, AlphaWave
Marko Dabrović, 3LHD
Josip Komar, Westgate Group Ltd.
Robert Blažinović, Jadrolinija
SUSTAINABLE TOURISM AND ECONOMY
Hector de Castro, Regenera Luxury
Valentina Keblar, PhD, UNIJANOVA Ltd.
Ante Vranješ, Liburnia Hotels
Gorki Bratim, MAR Ltd.
Ana Odak, Gitone
Prof. Marinela Krstinić Nižić, PhD, FMTU
NEW BUSINESS MODELS FROM A SOCIAL PERSPECTIVE (EVERGREEN ECONOMY, BEHAVIORAL APPROACH)
Prof. Ernest Vlačić, PhD
Prof. Katarina Đulić, PhD (EFBG)
Assoc. Prof. Marin Strmota, PhD (EFZG)
Andrijana Mušura Gabor, PhD, ZŠEM
Anita Knezović, PhD, CCGM
🤝 Join us and be part of the dialogue shaping a more sustainable and competitive future for cities and the economy.
You can register for the conference via the Google Form at the following link:
