NATIONAL COMPETITION VELTEK

On World Bee Day, May 20, the Higher Vocational College for Hospitality and Tourism Maribor (VSGT) hosted the 2nd national VELTEK competition in designing wellness experiences. Students had the opportunity to develop innovative ideas based on the theme of HONEY and shape the wellness and tourism experiences of the future. The competition was held in two categories: secondary schools and higher vocational colleges. In the secondary school category, two teams from SŠGT Maribor participated—Medke and Kosobrinke—while in the higher vocational category, the teams Medena vizija from SIC Brežice and Sleepy Bee from VSGT Maribor competed. The ideas and experiences presented by the students were well‑developed and very compelling, which made the task of the expert jury quite challenging.

Members of the jury were Janja Viher from the Tourist Association of Slovenia, Nika Poslek from Mr.Bee beekeeping, Nina Petrič from Maribor Tourist Board, and Borut Ambrožič from the Horticultural Society Maribor. Before the announcement of the results, students of the Wellness program offered hand and chair massages to competitors and jury members to provide some relaxation.

In the category of secondary schools, the highest number of points and the gold award went to the team Medke from SŠGT Maribor, while Kosobrinke received the silver award.

In the category of higher vocational schools, the highest score and the silver award were given to Medena vizija from SIC Brežice, and Sleepy Bee from VSGT Maribor received the bronze award.

MEDKE: Dragana Zarevska, Lilly Kovačec, Lina Plemeniti; mentor: Barbka Penko
KOSOBRINKE: Zala Doberšek, Evelyn Šafarič, Tjaša Petek; mentor: Barbka Penko
MEDENA VIZIJA: Nasiha Žilić, Jan Kuselj, Jakob Črpič; mentor: mag. Nataša Kežman
SLEEPY BEE: Julija Trojner; mentor: Tatjana Klakočar

The refreshments were prepared by students of the Wellness program as part of the course Culinary Arts for Vitality.

Without the support of our sponsors, who stood behind these young talents, the competition could not have taken place. Our sincere thanks go to Terme Banovci, Medex, Mr.Bee, and the House of the Carniolan Honey Bee. The VELTEK competition once again proves that Slovenia is a place where creative and sustainability‑oriented ideas are emerging—ideas that can enrich the wellness and tourism offer of the future.