TURIZAM 385 Vladimir Mozetic

Guest Vladimir MozeticHosted by Sanja PješaMay 3, 2026

Vladimir Mozetic

About this episode

What you'll hear in this conversation

When a global health crisis hits, the idea of holding a *health tourism* conference might seem counter-intuitive. Yet, Vladimir Mozetić, president of the Kvarner Health Tourism Cluster, did exactly that, pivoting their 8th annual conference to a virtual format focused squarely on the pandemic's impact and the future. As both a leader in health tourism and the director of a county health center, Mozetić offers a unique perspective on resilience — not just for individuals, but for entire industries. He discusses the subtle but critical redefinition of health itself, moving beyond mere medical treatment to embrace lifestyle, prevention, and mental well-being. This conversation will make you rethink how industries adapt to unforeseen challenges and why a proactive approach to health, both personal and systemic, is the most robust strategy for the future.

Insights from the conversation

What to take from this episode

Organizing the 8th Crikvenica International Health Tourism Conference for the first time virtually, and specifically focusing its panels on the pandemic's impact and the future of health tourism, shows how industry leaders maintain continuity through crisis. The point is not to pause, but to adapt the platform and address the new reality head-on.

Laszlo Putsko, an international health tourism expert, published a book on the industry's direction just before the pandemic, with insights that now seem "almost prophetic" in how the crisis has reshaped the field. The lesson is that anticipating shifts in global health and consumer behavior can position an industry for adaptation, even to unforeseen events.

The distinction between "health tourism" and "medical tourism" is "more terminological than functional," according to Mozetić, who frames the former as a comprehensive concept including lifestyle, prevention, and rehabilitation. This broader definition, rooted in Kvarner's 170-year tradition, positions regions to address wider public needs, especially in a post-pandemic world.

Preventive medicine is not merely an option but the "foundation" of health, ensuring diagnosis and treatment are only needed when essential. This emphasis on lifelong preventive care, starting from childhood, redefines health investment as a continuous, proactive process rather than a reactive one.

Vladimir Mozetić’s dual role as President of the Kvarner Health Tourism Cluster and Director of the Primorsko-Goranska County Health Center shows how public health leadership can directly inform strategic industry development. In a crisis, this cross-sector perspective becomes essential for both immediate response and future planning.

Explore further

ScenariosBusiness challenges CardsEducational cards TimelineTopic evolution