June 17th, 2021 - For the 17th time, the Croatian National Tourist Board awarded the prestigious Grand Prix "Golden Pen" award to foreign tourist journalists, bloggers, and influencers for the best publications about Croatia as a tourist destination in the last, extremely demanding tourist year.

HTZ reports, the award ceremony, held last night in Pula, was attended by 15 foreign journalists from 11 countries. 

"This year, we are awarding the prize again live in beautiful Istria. Award-winning journalists, bloggers, and influencers last year, which was extremely difficult for the tourism sector, contributed to the visibility of our country on a global level and building the image of Croatia as a safe, well-prepared and desirable tourist destination. With this, we also additionally draw attention to Croatia on the eve of the main part of the tourist season and send the message that Croatia is absolutely ready for a larger influx of guests," said the director of the CNTB Kristjan Staničić.

In addition to director Staničić and colleagues from foreign CNTB offices, the award ceremony was attended by the County Prefect of Istria Boris Miletić, on behalf of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports Monika Udovičić, Director of Istria Tourist Board Denis Ivošević, Pula Tourist Board Director Sanja Cinkopan Korotaj and numerous representatives of the Istrian tourism sector. 

"It is a special pleasure for us to host the awarded journalists and at the same time praise the Golden Pen project because journalists are critical to us even in normal tourist years, let alone in these crises when communication is also the most important promotion. Furthermore, we are glad that the ceremony is held in our region because it gives us an exceptional opportunity to present to the distinguished guests the richness and uniqueness of this region, our hospitality, natural and cultural sights, gastronomy, and other strengths by which we are recognized beyond our borders," said Denis Ivošević, director of the Istria County Tourist Board.

The most significant award of the "Golden Pen" is the Grand Prix, awarded in three categories: the best print or online media report, the best radio or television report, and the best post on blog social networks.

This year's winner of the Grand Prix award for the best report of the print media is the German journalist Helene Schmidt, whose report "Istrien - das Kulinarische Kroatien" was published in the renowned magazine Autobild - Reisemobil. In her report, Helena described the journey through Istria and small medieval towns and especially emphasized Istrian gastronomy, with numerous practical tips for visiting Istria. The published report is precious because it was published in a renowned medium followed by motorists, also the most numerous visitors from Germany to Croatia. Furthermore, the Autobild portal is the leader of the German digital market, with over 13 million users and 56 million visits last year alone.

The Grand Prix for the best electronic media report was awarded to the Slovak TV MARKIZA team. Journalist Branislav Tomaga and cameraman Miroslav Žilka won the award for a series of 10 episodes about Croatia called "S Markízou v Chorvatsku". Branislav Tomaga and Miroslav Žilka have been visitors to Croatia for many years. To show their fellow citizens the news from their favorite destination, they tirelessly reported live for two weeks from interesting locations throughout Lijepa naša, from Umag to Dubrovnik, which is why in June and July 2020, Croatia and holidays in Croatia, with 39 percent viewership, were the top topic on the most-watched television in Slovakia.

The Grand Prix winner for the best travel blog is Kate McCulley from the USA, behind the blog "Adventurous Kate." So far, she has met 83 countries and 7 continents, and in 2017, Forbes included her in the list of the 10 most influential travel influencers in the world. Her blog reports during last year's summer season evoked experiences from Croatia, from Dubrovnik to Istria. Despite the restrictions and the general fear of a pandemic, she pointed out the beauties of our offer and the responsibility and kindness of the local population.

In addition to the Croatian National Tourist Board as the main organizer of the event, this year's partners and hosts are the Tourist Board of the Istrian County, the Tourist Board of the City of Pula, and other tourist boards of the cluster of Southern Istria.

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The 12th annual Golden Pen award for the best promotion of Croatia by foreign tourism journalists took place last week in Split.