Even though I am currently far away in Varazdin, I can feel the glow of satisfaction from my favourite Dalmatian island in the wake of what was a very successful weekend of hosting this weekend's ÖTILLÖ Swimrun Hvar event.
Watching from distance, it had everything that Hvar needs to move forward in the right tourism direct. No peak season music festivals in the town to deter family tourists, but a superbly organised shoulder season event showcasing the island's beauty and diversity, and enhancing its reputation just one step further as a quality adventure tourism and sporting destination. Congratulations to the town authorities, tourist board and competition organisers on a job very well done. Missed out on all the fun? Relive the action in this official video below. Isn't Hvar in early April gorgeous? And yet with very few tourists.
Big congratualtions also of course to Suncani Hvar Hotels, without whom none of this would have been possible. As the largest hotel business in Hvar Town by quite some distance, events such as these could scarcely take place without Suncani support. When I blogged for Suncani a few years ago, I was amazed at just how many events they organised without the majority of islanders even knowing about it - fishing congresses, dental conferences, astronomer gatherings - the list was seemingly endless.
It is an aspect of tourism which gets less press than the beach and nightlife tourism, and yet it is one which is becoming increasingly important, and - whisper it quietly - Hvar is developing a reputation as a quality destination that can deliver not only the professional service with excellent facilities which are required for conference tourism, but also a staggering range of options for conference participants to enjoy the down time. With Hotel Amfora's conference faclities set against the backdrop of the Pakleni Islands, there can be few more picturesque conference locations in the world, but the additional options for guests to relax makes Hvar all the more appealing.
A strong network of quality suppliers is now working with the hotel group to offer the very best conference packages, from adventure tourism options (sailing and kayaking around the Pakleni Islands), wine tasting, offroad safaris, cultural tours and speedboat excursions. Events are so well coordinated these days by the Hvar team working together, that groups can be split into different activities, allowing very large groups to attend. Last May, Intours DMC, working with Suncani Hvar, pulled off a truly spectacular event for 650 guests from Holland. May - yes, that shoulder season theme again.
I first became aware of this different aspect of Hvar tourism five years ago when I was invited to dress up as a 17th century PR manager for the Duke of Hvar, played by the then current Hvar mayor, and lead 150 guests from American firm Timken from Bonj les Bains to San Marco terrace in front of Hotel Palace for a drinks reception, before they entered the Arsenal for a fabulous Renaissance dinner. I would like to think I was chosen for my authority and acting ability, but I feel it had more to do with my stomach size and native English language. You can see the Hvar TV video above and a report on the evening with photos here. A truly great event.
I continued to follow the incentive scene, which went one level further last May with the incentive programme for those 650 Dutch guests. A fabulous video of how it was done in the video above, including the construction of a stage and tent to house all those people at Veneranda. The event went off like clockwork.
Themed events, international sporting competitions, and large incentive groups and conferences -this is an extremely important aspect of Hvar tourism which is growing nicely. And often in the shoulder season. This trend is likely to continue if shoulder season connectivity in the form of quality international flights to Split continues to improve. Exciting times.
To learn more about Suncani Hvar's conference facilities and abilities, click here.
