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Technologies transform the total marketing mix of hotel products in the dynamic tourism market, where the distribution is detected as a key factor of market placement and profitability. The main goal of this paper is to explore the distribution channels in the hospitality industry and to identify the most successful elements of online distribution for the purposes of realising future excellence in post-COVID-19 tourism. The online distribution elements that could enhance competitiveness and incentives for reservation were identified and ranked. This was realised by choosing the most representative sample and by researching it using a structured questionnaire, where the mix of competitiveness and marketing elements were evaluated. The research findings present the importance of online travel agents (OTA), tour operators, social networks and conferences (MICE segment). The potential of Global Distribution Systems (GDS) systems is detected and, although not fully valorised in practice, implicate future franchising and contracting with global hotel brands and consortia. The answer to the question: “Which tools and techniques of innovative online distribution should be used and what product elements enhance sales in the hotel industry of the future?” is explored by the scientific methodology, which supports the purpose and presents the main contribution of the paper. Implications for Central European audience: The paper represents a considerable contribution in the perception of the distribution channels, affirmed for exchange in the Central European tourism market as an emissive market for the receptive offer of Croatian tourism. Considered in the context of the accessibility of Croatia as a car destination that realises both long-term and short-term “impulsive” bookings, promptness, propulsion and dynamism of online distribution channels used by the hotel offer have exceptional importance for income management and profitability. Correspondingly, a positive perception is being developed of the Central European market demand, as well as tourism awareness about closeness and market potentials, which represents a platform for the development of applicative strategies in communication and business. Recognising the effect on intensification of tourist exchange through the affirmation of innovations and technology contributes to the development of science and practice of the hospitality industry.

Objectives: This interdisciplinary paper researches the importance of sustainable hotel engineering and organisation of facilities for the purposes of realisation of a sustainable and responsible hospitality facility business. Considered through the interdisciplinary aspect, at the same time, it represents a research goal with the focus on the segment of youth tourists, who, as existing consumers of low-budget expenditure, are turning into DINKY, as well as the segment of conscious adult consumers in the future. Methodology: The paper, through a questionnaire, researches the perception of the importance of resource management, with implementation of innovative technologies by youth tourists’ related attitudes and experiences. The methodology is based predominantly on qualitative research methods and includes analysis and conceptual methodology and survey research methods of youth tourists’ attitudes. The quantitative research was processed by using the statistical methodology combined with techniques of creative thinking formation. Findings: The results point to the predominance of importance in which over 90% of respondents confirm the importance of sustainable initiatives and resource management with the following rank: food, water, energy and waste management. Further analysis implies an opposite attitude where only 52.9% of participants would be willing to pay higher prices for sustainable solutions in hotels. Contribution: The results and recommendations contribute to knowledge and ideas by recognising competitiveness of hotels which design and engineer the business system and operations with support of sustainable technologies in an interdisciplinary way. The paper also contributes to the comprehension of combined and successfully communicated economic and marketing values of sustainable innovations supported by digital technologies.

Quality and standards are key segments of the formed hospitality service for realisation of guest satisfaction with all its aspects and for affirmation of future demand. In view of the development of modern hospitality and when looking at it through a prism of responsible mass tourism, continuous investment in the quality and in standard updates is needed, as they are the key that leads towards success. The focus of this research is on international standards and performance indicators of hotel housekeeping and on their perspective in Croatian hospitality, with analytics of grading of hotel quality and guest satisfaction with hospitality services in TripAdvisor. The research was conducted for the purposes of valorisation of the connection between realised indicators of work involvement with realised grades and satisfaction of consumers, tourists. The purpose itself of this paper is reflected in the set goal and is outlined in the form of the question: How much does the amount of involved work affect the realised quality and what are the future recommendations? With aspects of valorisation of elements of hospitality service, they represent a contribution to the research and to quality improvement science. Supported by the qualitative and quantitative methodologies, the research conclusions represent a platform for future consideration of the relevance of “soft skills”, given that the quality in hospitality mirrors the way in which people work, skills they have and which they are continuously improving through targeted education of lifelong learning and the manner in which they perceive their consumers.

Purpose – The purpose of the paper is to examine the main components of luxury destination services and the preconditions needed for their designing. Because innovation represents the core part of a luxury tourism offering, its importance will be discussed from the destination management perspective Methodology – The data were collected using the structured survey questionnaire method and the interview method on a sample of destination management stakeholders in the region of Istria. The structured questionnaire was used to quantify the presented statements. The interview method enabled respondents to support their viewpoints by providing opinions and attitudes referring to practical examples and experiences. Findings – The concept of luxury tourism service is difficult to define because an understanding of the level of luxury depends on the user’s perception of the service. Hence, the value of the research results is reflected in the qualification of the basic preconditions to designing a luxury tourism offering. The results of the research provide insight into the importance of innovation in creating a luxury tourism offering. Contribution – A significant contribution of the paper is manifested in the systematisation and conceptualisation of the acknowledgments defining the innovative determinants of a luxury tourism offering. In addition to broadened the theoretical knowledge and enriching the scant body of scientific literature that deals with the topic mentioned above, this paper can be useful to destination stakeholders. It represents a starting point for further research into innovative luxury tourism services from the destination stakeholder perspective

Purpose – The competitiveness of tourist offer is, among other things, conditioned by the quality of the accommodation facilities. The aim of this paper is to describe the concept and development of innovative accommodation facilities and to establish whether this is merely a new form of accommodation or whether there is potential for the accommodation facilities to become a significant form of tourist offer in interaction with tourist offer holders. Design – By creating an innovative climate for holders of accommodation facilities, bringing about a shift towards the innovative concept and providing a creative service, satisfaction of customers is achieved, as well as a competitive position on the tourism market. Innovative and creative accommodation facilities are an important element of tourist offer Methodology – A combination of research methods has been adopted for this study. The theoretical overview on innovative accommodation facilities as part of creating an offer in tourist destinations is presented in the paper. Theoretical arguments are supported by case-based empirical data obtained from interview questions addressed to innovative accommodation facility owners. Findings – Research results in scientific understanding of the organization and innovation of receptive offer and combining innovative accommodation facilities with holders of tourist destination offer to achieve greater competitiveness. Originality of the research – this paper is a valuable contribution to existing research on how the competitive offer of a tourist destination is influenced by innovative accommodation facilities. The research also points to the need to promote horizontal merging of innovative accommodation facilities and holders of tourist offer.

Recognising modern tourist demands, tourist destinations perceive comparative advantages and potential available resources, placing them in the tourist market through selective tourist products and events. "How are gastronomic events perceived within the framework of sustainable tourist development?" is the research problem area, which leads to the definition of the paper purpose and goal. It relates to the assessment of perception of the importance of organisation of gastronomic events within the framework of sustainable tourist destination development by the local producers of original tourist products and the local population. The research includes assessment of how many gastronomic events intensify gastronomic tourism and how they valorise pre and post tourist season, which the Strategy of Development of Croatian and Istrian tourism recognises as the terms which must be touristically intensified, strategically enriching the tourist offer. In the paper, the social component of sustainability is also perceived through the attitudes of gastronomic event visitors. The research, which affirmed new scientific knowledge, was conducted by means of survey and interview methodology. For data processing, quantitative methods of analysis, synthesis, comparison, meta-analysis and other scientific and research methods were used. The generated knowledge confirms the purpose of the paper, which is channelled towards the determination of the importance of promotion of original products at gastronomic events, in accordance with the principles of sustainability. The research was conducted at the event Days of Fresh Olive Oil in Vodnjan, which was organised as a sustainable gastronomic tourist event.