Students of Šibenik University of Applied Sciences at OPG Uroda: A Model of Good Practice and Promotion of Pirovac

First-year students of the undergraduate professional study program in tourism management in Šibenik had a unique opportunity to participate in a field training at the OPG Uroda olive grove in Pirovac. During their visit, they attended a professional lecture by Dr. Ivica Vlatković, one of the leading experts in Croatian olive growing and the president of the Zadar County Olive Growers Association.

OPG Uroda's extra virgin olive oils are among the best in the world, as evidenced by three gold medals won at the NYIOOC competitions in New York. Students had the opportunity to taste these award-winning oils and learn to recognize their fruity, pungent, and bitter qualities.

Professor Dr. Nikolina Gaćina brought the students to this beautifully maintained olive grove, where they could see how a vision of tourism highlighting Dalmatian and Croatian specialties can be successfully realized. In addition to the lecture, there was a tasting session during which students were informed about the nutritional and health benefits of olive oil.

This initiative is an excellent example of how education and field training can promote the quality and importance of local products. As Croatia continues to establish itself as a top producer of extra virgin olive oils worldwide, such activities contribute significantly to raising awareness of their true value.

We are proud of OPG Uroda's olive grove and their contribution to promoting Pirovac. We hope that initiatives like these will become regular and contribute not only to the development of tourism in Pirovac but also to the preservation of its natural heritage.