Damjana Domanovac i Adriano Požarić
Episode · #519
TURIZAM 385 Damjana Domanovac i Adriano Požarić
Guest Damjana Domanovac i Adriano PožarićHosted by Goran RihtarićMay 3, 2026
Damjana Domanovac i Adriano Požarić
About this episode
What you'll hear in this conversation
The only constant in the tourism and events industry, as one guest puts it, is “stable change.” Damjana Domanovac, director of the Place2go tourism fair and editor of its magazine, along with Adriano Požarić, editor of Turizam Info and organizer of events like HORECA Adria, have lived this paradox. They share firsthand accounts of managing rapid shifts—from navigating COVID protocols that vanished overnight to evolving trade show profiles and the surprising resilience of print media. Their conversation offers a clear view into how seasoned operators in a dynamic industry not only survive but find new opportunities by staying acutely attuned to the subtle signals of their audience and advertisers.
Insights from the conversation
What to take from this episode
01
At the Place2go fair, Damjana had to explain COVID measures on Friday, only for them to be lifted by Saturday and Sunday. Rapidly changing regulations create operational challenges; the market adapts faster than policy, leaving organizers to manage public confusion.
02
Damjana observed a stark contrast between her April fair, where visitors were cautious, and her October ski fair, which saw large, relaxed crowds. Public sentiment shifts quickly post-crisis; markets return to normal long before cautious expectations, meaning organizers must plan for rapid recovery.
03
Adriano notes that Relax Adria, which started in 2016 focused on wellness and pools, has since shifted its primary focus to equipping holiday homes. Trade shows must evolve with market demand; an event's core offering must pivot to serve where customer need actually is, not where it started.
04
Adriano describes the current environment as "everything is changing, except for stable change," meaning daily planning shifts from morning to evening. The pace of market evolution demands extreme organizational agility; rigid, long-term plans are less effective than continuous, day-by-day adaptation.
05
Damjana says the recent crises led to a "natural selection" in media, where outlets creating original content survived while those merely re-posting content disappeared. In a saturated information landscape, only media that consistently produces unique, quality content can sustain an audience and attract advertisers.
06
Adriano points out that 90% of social media content is "worthless," and even valuable content is often impossible to find again an hour later. The ephemeral and low-quality nature of much digital content creates an opportunity for print media to stand out as a trusted source for curated, lasting information.
07
One of Damjana's readers, a manager, explained he reads her magazine on paper at home because he spends all day on a computer and wants to disconnect. For a segment of professionals, print media offers a deliberate escape from screen fatigue, positioning itself as a premium, relaxing alternative to digital overload.
08
Damjana mentioned her summer magazine issues sell particularly well because people take them to the beach, not laptops. Physical media thrives in contexts where digital devices are impractical or undesirable, highlighting a specific, enduring value proposition for print.
09
Adriano observed that e-readers have largely disappeared from beaches, and he now sees young people reading classic paper books at bus stops. There's a quiet counter-movement towards tangible experiences; physical books and magazines are being rediscovered not out of nostalgia, but as a deliberate choice for engagement.
10
Adriano suggests that reading a physical book has become a "privilege," a sign that someone has found a moment to disconnect and have time for themselves. In an always-on world, the act of engaging with print media is re-framed as a conscious act of self-care and disconnection, appealing to those seeking mindfulness.