Martin Hakel

Founded and manage hakitravels.com, a travel blog focused on sustainable and cultural travel. Handle all aspects of content creation, including research, writing, photography, and SEO. Curate engaging travel stories, guides, and tips for an international audience. Develop marketing strategies, social media promotion, and audience engagement, using analytics to improve reach and impact. Apply project management, communication, and creative skills to deliver high-quality, informative, and inspiring content.

Since January 2025, I have been guiding international clients through the cultures, history and landscapes of Oman, Morocco and Georgia. Drawing on my background in EU project management and international cooperation, I design and manage seamless tour experiences, from logistics and accommodation to cultural insights. Through these tours, I apply strong organisational, problem-solving and cross-cultural communication skills, ensuring memorable client experiences in complex, multicultural environments.

Since May 2023, I have been working in the hospitality sector while remaining engaged in EU-funded and sustainability-related projects. I am responsible for front-office operations, reservations, guest coordination and daily processes in a fast-paced international environment. Drawing on over 20 years of experience in EU project management and regional development, I apply strong communication, organisational and problem-solving skills to ensure efficient workflows and high service quality.

Provided ad-hoc advisory support to public institutions and NGOs on EU funding, project structuring and sustainability initiatives during relocation to Germany. Contributed to strategic consultations on renewable energy funding (2023 calls), supported a €1M cross-border energy efficiency project, and helped modernise a €2M eco-centre exhibition focused on climate change education.

Since January 2024, I have been an intern at Process Academy gGmbH, contributing to the development and implementation of a new online education program on green business process management. My work includes research on sustainable practices, course design, and coordination with subject-matter experts to create engaging learning content, while further developing my skills in program management and educational design.

Attained multi-million-euros total worth €70M EU funds from major stakeholders, including €19M (EU funding money regarding Vocational Education and Training Centres), €5M (Eco-centre Cunovo), €2.5M (Institute of Regional Policy), €3M (Bike and Boat “Danube Islands”). Implemented 2 mid-term regional development strategies. Generated €1.4B for Bratislava region's total allocation worth regarding the EU cohesion policy 2021 – 2027 while the original allocation was just €20M (based on GDP).

During this tenure, I was involved in steering a wide range of Management and community work for Slovaks living in UK, presentation of Slovakia in the UK, and close interaction with governmental & international institutions. Some of my major achievements are... • Managed the community work for approximately 200K (e.g. Slovak-British Ball) • Explored and managed the Slovak folk group Karpaty • Played an integral role in publishing an English-Slovak magazine as well as establishing a community web portal