International Conference “Culture, Tourism and Well-being: From Heritage to Healing”
International Conference “Culture, Tourism and Well-being: From Heritage to Healing”
22–23 October 2026 | Croatian Natural History Museum, Demetrova 1, Zagreb
On 22 and 23 October 2026, the Croatian Natural History Museum will host the international scientific conference “Culture, Tourism and Well-being: From Heritage to Healing”, bringing together researchers, experts, and representatives of cultural, tourism, and healthcare institutions from Croatia and abroad.
The conference explores the relationship between culture, cultural heritage, tourism, and human well-being, with particular emphasis on the role of cultural experiences in improving quality of life, mental health, social inclusion, and the sustainable development of communities.
Throughout the two-day programme, participants will examine how museums, cultural institutions, artistic activities, and tourism experiences can positively influence individuals and society through scientific presentations, panel discussions, and the exchange of knowledge and experiences.
Special attention will be given to the accessibility and inclusiveness of cultural activities, the application of new technologies, the preservation of tangible and intangible cultural heritage, and scientific methods for assessing the impact of culture on well-being.
The conference also includes a guided tour of the Croatian Natural History Museum, offering participants an opportunity to explore how museum exhibitions, the interpretation of natural heritage, and sensory experiences can contribute to visitors’ well-being.
CONFERENCE PROGRAMME
Thursday, 22 October 2026
Theme of the Day: Designing for Well-being in Cultural Tourism Experiences
9:00–9:30 | Participant Registration
9:30–10:05 | Official Conference Opening
Welcome Address:
- Marta Šveb Dragija, PhD, Institute for Development and International Relations (IRMO), Conference Chair
Opening Remarks:
- Daniela Angelina Jelinčić, PhD, Institute for Development and International Relations (IRMO)
- Maria Manuela Martins Guerreiro, PhD, CinTurs – Research Centre for Tourism, Sustainability and Well-being, Portugal
- Tatjana Vlahović, PhD, Director of the Croatian Natural History Museum
- Matija Dronjić, ICOM Croatia
Official Opening of the Conference – Representative of the Ministry of Culture and Media of the Republic of Croatia.
10:05–10:45 | Opening Keynote Lecture
Designing Cultural Experiences for Well-being: From Psychological Evidence to Practice
Speaker: Marta Šveb Dragija, PhD, Institute for Development and International Relations (IRMO)
Speaker Introduction: Daniela Angelina Jelinčić, PhD
10:45–11:05 | Coffee Break
11:05–12:20 | Panel 1: Designing Cultural Experiences for Well-being
This panel explores how cultural spaces, narratives, technologies, and experience design can encourage emotional engagement and create meaningful and transformative experiences.
Moderator: Iva Mihoci, PhD, Croatian Natural History Museum
11:05–11:20
Melinda Šefčić, PhD
Emotional and Sensory Engagement Through Public Art in a Modernist Heritage Space: The Case of Quarter in Color (2024–2025)
11:20–11:35
Josip Zelić, PhD, and Damir Demonja, PhD
Opera Festivals as Platforms for Cultural Tourism and Well-being: Experiences of the Arena di Verona Festival
11:35–11:50
Iva Hraste-Sočo, PhD, and Mario Gigović, MBA
From Repertory Stage to a Cultural Destination: Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb as an Emerging Driver of Cultural Tourism
11:50–12:05
Anja Mlakar, PhD
Archaeological and Non-Institutional Heritage Sites in Narratives of Well-being
12:05–12:20 | Discussion
12:20–12:30 | Short Break
12:30–14:00 | Panel 2: Culture, Well-being and Inclusive Participation
This panel focuses on the role of cultural participation in promoting well-being, social inclusion, social connections, and quality of life among different social groups.
Moderator: Matija Dronjić, ICOM Croatia
12:30–12:45
Mario Kovač, PhD, Svjetlana Kopčinović, Branko Banković, and Damir Demonja, PhD
Drama and Dance Exercises in Educational-Rehabilitation Support and the Empowerment of Self-Advocacy of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities
12:45–13:00
Magdalena Čondić and Daniela Angelina Jelinčić, PhD
The Museum as a Space of Inclusive Support for People with Dementia: Cultural Participation, Dignity and Community Support
13:00–13:15
Tatjana Pivac, PhD, Sanja Kovačić, PhD, and Damir Demonja, PhD
The Use of Artificial Intelligence in Museums for Designing Content for Children: Case Studies of Croatia and Serbia
13:15–13:30
Jesenka Ricl, MA
Learning Through Feeling: How Emotional and Sensory Engagement Shapes Museum Experiences for Older Visitors
13:30–13:45
Jasenka Kranjčević, PhD, and Amir Muzur, PhD
Cultural Tourism and University: What Can They Do for Each Other?
13:45–14:00 | Discussion
14:15–15:15 | Lunch Break and Performance by Klapa Figurin
During the lunch break, participants will have the opportunity to enjoy a performance by the female traditional vocal ensemble Klapa Figurin and discover an important aspect of Croatia’s rich intangible cultural heritage through traditional klapa singing.
15:15–16:15 | Experiential Programme: Guided Tour of the Croatian Natural History Museum
A guided tour of the Croatian Natural History Museum’s permanent exhibition, highlighting the role of museum spaces, heritage interpretation, and sensory experiences in creating positive and meaningful visitor experiences.
Friday, 23 October 2026
Theme of the Day: From Heritage and Communities to Evidence and Practice
9:30–10:50 | Panel 3: Heritage, Place and Community Well-being
This panel explores how cultural heritage and cultural tourism can contribute to individual and collective well-being, as well as the sustainable development of local communities.
Moderator: Marta Šveb Dragija, PhD, Institute for Development and International Relations (IRMO)
9:30–9:45
Patty Janes, PhD
Enhancing Well-being While Preserving Cultural Tourism Sites (Volunteering)
9:45–9:55 | Pre-recorded Presentation
Rui Carvalho, PhD, and José Maria Carvalho, PhD
Heritage, Creativity and Tourism Development: Exploring the Potential of Cork and Tapestry Experiences for Community Well-being in Portalegre
9:55–10:10
Aleksandra Błotnicka, MSc, and Wojciech Maciejowski, PhD
Immersive Environments and the Future of Health Tourism: The Case of QC Terme Milano
10:10–10:20 | Pre-recorded Presentation
José Maria Carvalho, PhD, Rui Carvalho, PhD, Mário Santos, António Calha, and Maria Rosália Guerra
Memory as Community Care: Intangible Cultural Heritage, Well-being and Ageing in a Low-Density Rural Territory
10:20–10:35
Ema Bašić, PhD, and Anita Bušljeta Tonković, PhD
Unlocking the Potential of Cultural and Creative Tourism for Sustainable Local Development: The Case Study of Croatia’s Rural Region of Lika
10:35–10:50 | Discussion
10:50–11:30 | Coffee Break
11:30–12:25 | Panel 4: From Cultural Participation to Well-being: Evidence, Measurement and Practice
This panel focuses on the scientific understanding, measurement, and practical application of the positive effects of cultural participation on individual and community well-being.
Moderator: Barbara Lovrinić Higgins, PhD, Institute for Development and International Relations (IRMO)
11:30–11:45
Edita Bilaver, MA, Film in Hospital / Children Meet Art
From Isolation to Socialization: Restorative Cultural Participation and Mediated Audiovisual Engagement in European Healthcare Settings
11:45–12:00
Iva Fattorini, MD, MSc, University of Oxford / Artocene
Arts, Culture, Health and Social Prescribing: A New Paradigm of Care
12:00–12:15
Marta Šveb Dragija, PhD, Daniela Angelina Jelinčić, PhD, and Ana Havelka Meštrović, PhD
Beyond Attendance Scores: Measuring Well-being in Cultural Participation
12:15–12:25 | Discussion
12:25–13:30 | Expert Panel: From Research to Reality: Can Culture and Tourism Be Designed for Well-being?
The concluding expert panel connects scientific research with practical experiences from the cultural, tourism, and healthcare sectors, addressing the question of how culture and tourism can be systematically designed to improve well-being.
Moderator: Daniela Angelina Jelinčić, PhD, Institute for Development and International Relations (IRMO)
Panel Participants:
- Pia Sopta, Ministry of Culture and Media of the Republic of Croatia
- Marinko Artuković, PhD, Croatian Institute of Public Health
- Katarina Miličević, PhD, Tourism Lab / thinktourism
- Dragana Lucija Ratković Aydemir, MUZE
- Hrvoje Handl, MD, Sveti Ivan Psychiatric Hospital, Zagreb
The panel will be held in Croatian and will include a moderated discussion and questions from the audience.
13:30–13:40 | Closing Remarks by the Organisers
13:40–14:30 | Closing Reception and Networking
About the Conference
The international conference “Culture, Tourism and Well-being: From Heritage to Healing” provides an opportunity for interdisciplinary knowledge exchange, professional collaboration, and the development of innovative approaches connecting cultural heritage, creativity, health, and societal well-being.
The event brings together representatives of numerous Croatian and international scientific and cultural institutions, with the Croatian Natural History Museum among its organisers.
The conference is supported by ICOM Croatia, the City of Zagreb, the Ministry of Science, Education and Youth of the Republic of Croatia, and Algebra Bernays University.
The programme is implemented with financial support from the European Union – NextGenerationEU.