November the 11th, 2025 – Plenty of Croatian destinations from the eastern swathes of Slavonia to the islands have been praised for their efforts in sustainable tourism. The stunning Hotel Materra has also been listed among the finalists.
As Glas Slavonija/Voice of Slavonia/Tatjana Miscancuk writes, last week, the Ministry of Tourism and Sport (MINTS) presented nine finalists for the first Croatian Sustainable Tourism Award, created in cooperation with the World Tourism Organisation-UN Tourism, which will be awarded at the Croatian Tourism Days (Dani Hrvatskog Turizma) in Dubrovnik at the end of November.
The award will be awarded across three categories – for the best sustainable tourism destination in continental Croatia and the best on an island or in a mainland coastal area, and for the best business entity in sustainable tourism.
Nine finalists were selected from 60 applicants from Croatian destinations across the entire country, with three in each category.
These are the Tourist Board of Međimurje County, Osijek-Baranja County and Lika on the mainland, then the cities of Dubrovnik and Nin and the Tourist Board of the Island of Krk from the islands and coastline, while the companies Valamar Riviera, Žito’s Hotel Materra and the Maslina Resort are the finalists as business entities.
The aim of the awards, according to Tourism Minister Tonči Glavina, is to provide proper recognition to various destinations and businesses that are leading the sustainable transformation of Croatian tourism. It is also to spotlight and platform those making the greatest strides in ecological, social and economic sustainability.
The applicants were assessed on the basis of their measurable contribution to environmental protection, community well-being, preservation of local cultural heritage, as well as their innovation and alignment with Croatia’s long-term tourism strategy.
“We have many experts in sustainable tourism across Croatia, both in the sector itself and in the academic community. Croatia is one of the few countries in Europe, and beyond, that now has a complete legal basis for this. It’s very important that tourism develops sustainably, which means that it does so in full accordance with economic needs, as well as alongside the requirements of the local population. Together, this should bring a better standard of living for all and a more seamless coexistence with tourism,” explained Glavina.
He also considered it important that, in cooperation with UN Tourism, the Centre for Research and Development of Sustainable Tourism at the University of Zagreb will be opened in Croatia. That institute will be a scientific platform for proper development and innovation in this very direction.
The rector of the University of Zagreb, Stjepan Lakušić, stated that Croatia is slowly positioning itself as a leader in sustainable tourism, which in its further development will mean not only stronger tourism, but also plenty of help and protection of both local areas and their populations.
“The research that we will conduct is also important, and it’s something the University of Zagreb can contribute a lot to. By sharing experiences and knowledge from the Centre for Research and Development of Sustainable Tourism, our scientists will have an additional opportunity to meet with their foreign colleagues,” said Lakušić.
He also announced that the opening of this centre on the University of Zagreb’s premises is expected by the end of this year.
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