Authentic Experience in Sustainable Tourism

The Role of Geographical Indication (PDO/PGI)

September 07-11, 2026 (face-to-face part)

September 4 (online part)

Mendel University in Brno warmly invites you to participate in the Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) on Authentic Experience in Sustainable Tourism: The Role of Geographical Indication (PDO/PGI), hosted by the Faculty of Business and Economics. This unique programme combines short-term mobility for both online and physical components. The physical sessions are scheduled from September 07 to 11, 2026, while the dates of the online session will take place on September 4. Designed only for students.

Interested participants are encouraged to register by July 19, 2026 – use the link below:

Registration

Would you like to attend our BIP? The deadline for registration is July 19, 2026. Once you register, we will contact you within 2 weeks.

Registration link

What can you expect?

This BIP offers an engaging learning experience focused on geographical indications, tourism development, and destination marketing. Participants will explore how labels such as Protected Designations of Origin (PDO) and Protected Geographical Indications (PGI) can support regional identity, local producers, and authentic visitor experiences.

The programme combines online learning with practical on-site activities in the Czech Republic, including lectures, workshops, and field trips. Participants will gain insights into sustainable tourism, innovative product development, and real-world applications while strengthening their teamwork, creativity, and international cooperation skills.

Information

  • Activities Lectures, Workshops, Case Studies, Field Trips, Teamwork, Product Development, Final Presentations
  • Registration Deadline: 19.07.2026. Use link above.
  • Topics Geographical Indications, PDO / PGI Labels, Sustainable Tourism, Destination Marketing, Regional Development, Local Products, Tourism Product Design
  • Credits 3 ECTS
  • Costs covered by sending institution (travel costs, accommodation) within the Erasmus+ programme, Selected additional costs, such as excursions and some meals, will be covered by the coordinating institution.
  • Target Group Bc, MSc, PhD students

Online part

  • The online component of the program will take place on September 4, 2026, in the morning (approximately 10:00–12:00 CET) via an online platform such as MS Teams or Zoom.
  • The session will begin with a brief introduction to the topic of geographical indications (PDO/PGI), followed by a guest lecture from an international expert. The lecture will focus on the role of geographical indications in tourism, including practical insights, research findings, and examples of how GI products contribute to destination marketing, regional promotion, and sustainable development.
  • The session will conclude with an interactive discussion, allowing participants to engage with the speaker and consider how the presented knowledge can be applied in tourism product development.

Face-to-face part

  • understanding the role of geographical indications in tourism and rural development
  • Exploration of local and regional products contribute to authentic visitor experiences
  • Insights into sustainable tourism strategies and prodcut design
  • Teamwork on developing a tourism product concept
  • Participation in field research and direct engagement with local producers and destinations
  • Presentation of tourism product proposals based on gathered data and insights

Programme

TimeIntroduction & foundations
tourism products and sustainability		Speaker
9:00 – 10:00Welcome & Challenge FormulationAndrea Králiková (FBE MENDELU)
10:00 – 11:30Lecture: Tourism Product DevelopmentAndrea Králiková (FBE MENDELU) or Kristýna Tejklová (University of West Bohemia in Pilsen)
13:00 – 14:30Lecture: Sustainable Tourism in the Czech RepublicTereza Kadlecová (CzechTourism)
15:00 – 16:30Lecture: Sustainable Tourism Products: Theory & PracticeAndrea Králiková (FBE MENDELU) & Tereza Kadlecová (CzechTourism)
TIMElocal products & destination practice
regional products and visitor experience		Speaker
9:00 – 10:30Lecture: Geographical Indications and Their Role in TourismŽaneta Vinopalová (Industrial Property Office of the Czech Republic)
11:00 – 12:30Use of Local and Regional Products in Tourism and Visit to TIC BRNO – Practical DemonstrationTIC BRNO
13:30 – 15:30Guided Tour of BrnoTIC BRNO
TIMEgeographical indications & product design
pdo/Pgi as a tool for tourism and rural development		Speaker
9:00 – 10:30Lecture: Tourism Product Design using GI Products, Group Work – Preparation for Field Trips and Product IdentificationAndrea Králiková (FBE MENDELU)
11:00 – 12:30Lecture: Use of PDO/PGI for Rural DevelopmentAntonín Vaishar (FA MENDELU)
13:15 – 18:00Case Study – Modrotisk (heritage, branding and tourism)TBA
TIMEfield trip & data collection
learning in practice
TBCFull-Day Excursion: Visit to selected destinations / products with PDO/PGI certification
Meetings with local producers / stakeholders
Observation of production, storytelling and visitor experience
Activities:
Field Research (data collection for product development)
Interviews / Observations
TIMEsynthesis & presentation
from insights to tourism PRODUCT		SPEAKER
8:00 – 11:00Group Work: Finalization of Tourism Product CardAndrea Králiková (FBE MENDELU)
12:00 – 14:00Final Presentations and FeedbackAndrea Králiková (FBE MENDELU)

Registration

  • Registration is mandatory for the participation at the event.
  • Only registered students/staff will be allowed to participate.
  • The confirmation of the registration will be sent to your email by our coordinator.
  • Deadline for registration is 19.07.2026.
Registration form

Administrative process

  • Participants are required to register using the provided registration form. Upon successful registration, they will receive an Acceptance Letter.
  • It is recommended that participants secure a grant from their home institution to cover travel and accommodation expenses, which are allocated as follows:
    • 1-14 days (79 euros/day)
    • 15-30 days (56 euro/day)
  • Participants must consult their home university to understand the conditions of the mobility and confirm eligibility for a grant.
  • A completed Learning Agreement is mandatory prior to mobility. Detailed information on this will be sent to participants before their departure.
  • At the end of the mobility period, participants will be issued a Confirmation and Transcript of Records. Additionally, students participating in the BIP will be awarded 3 ECTS credits.
  • Staff can participate within the Erasmus+ STT (Staff Mobility for Training) or Erasmus+ STA (Staff Mobility for Teaching):
    • E+ STT – qualifying as eligible BIP participants
    • E+ STA – qualifying as organizers/lectures, not as participants
  • For documentation, you will be contacted by BIP organizers.

Accommodation

Contact

Tereza Smidova
International Relations Officer
building X
+420 545 135 030
Andrea Králiková
Academic Lead of the BIP
Department of Marketing and Trade (FBE)
+420 545 132 325
Mendel University in Brno
Zemědělská 1665/1, 613 00 Brno
IČO: 62156489
DIČ: CZ62156489
Faculty of Business and Economics
Zemědělská 1665/1, 613 00 Brno
IČO: 62156489
DIČ: CZ62156489