International volunteer program "Market Researcher 2026" in Krka National Park

From April 23 to 26, 2026, the international volunteer program "Market Researcher 2026" was implemented in the Krka National Park, in which students of economics, tourism, and social studies from several European countries participated.

The volunteers were accommodated in the Titius hostel at the Krka Eco Campus in Puljane, a space especially equipped to accommodate volunteers, study groups, and researchers.

The program was carried out under the initiative of the KVIST project (Krka National Park Visitor Survey for Sustainable Tourism), in which students of tourism management participate from the FH Westküste University of Applied Sciences from Germany, under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Julius Arnegger. The cooperation between the Park and the German university shows how important international connections are in the development of sustainable tourism, and the exchange of knowledge between the academic community and protected areas.

The program included investigation about sustainable management and the visitor experience in the Krka National Park. The participants' activities included preparing and implementing surveys, informing visitors about the objectives of the research, and entering and checking the collected data. At key locations in the Park, they conducted structured interviews with visitors, collecting data on the reasons for their visit, their perception of sustainability measures, level of satisfaction, consumer habits, and willingness to actively contribute to nature conservation.

The collected data also encompasses visitors' attitudes towards the rules of conduct in the Park, their role in environmental protection, and perceptions of crowds and the quality of experience. Special emphasis was placed on the visitors' understanding of sustainable practices, primarily on responsible behavior and the willingness to support conservation measures, including financial contributions.

""The survey results will be a valuable contribution to visitor management and for further planning of sustainable tourism development in Krka National Park. This further emphasizes the Park's strategic focus on preserving natural features while simultaneously improving the quality of the visitor experience", emphasized the director of the Krka National Park, Nella Slavica.“, istaknula je ravnateljica Javne ustanove Nacionalni park Krka Nella Slavica.

The volunteer programs of Krka National Park represent an important segment of its activities because they allow participants to gain practical knowledge and experience, as well as actively to participate in research and nature conservation. Through such initiatives, the Park continuously encourages the development of sustainable practices and strengthens awareness of the importance of responsible management of protected areas.

With this program, the Krka National Park has once again confirmed its role as a platform open to international cooperation, education, and the development of innovative approaches to sustainable tourism.