The two-day Days of Croatian Tourism event traditionally marks the end of the main season.
Croatian tourism has again had a record season. Unlike last year, when 100 million overnight stays were realised, this year Croatia will see four percent more guests and six percent more overnights. The excellent season was celebrated on Wednesday evening in Hvar with the traditional Days of Croatian Tourism event, where prizes and acknowledgments were presented to the best individuals, companies and destinations. The two-day event is organised by the Croatian National Tourist Board (HTZ), the Croatian Chamber of Commerce (HGK) and the Ministry of Tourism, reports Jutarnji List on October 25, 2018.
The best destination for holiday tourism is Mali Lošinj, while the best region for rural vacation is the Dalmatian hinterland. Zagreb is the best city break destination, and Krapinske Toplice is the best destination for health tourism. The jury decided that the most authentic seaside destination with a “small town” feel is Sutivan on the island of Brač, while the champion of continental tourism is the Zagorje region.
At the same time, this was an opportunity to reward destinations which this year celebrated important tourism anniversaries. The awards were given to Hvar for the 150th anniversary of organised tourism on the island, Novi Vinodolski for 140 years of tourism, and Crikvenica for 130 years.
In the Attraction of the Year category, the main prize went to Girandella Sundance Sandy Family Beach in Rabac, while the Recreation and Entertainment the category was won by Water Planet – Terme Tuhelj. Eco-ethno village Stara Kapela received an award for sustainable tourism.
In the Tourist Flower group of awards, given by the Croatian Chamber of Commerce, the Charter Company of the Year is Cata Sailing from Trogir. The Spa of the Year is Thalassotherapia from Opatija, while the best hostel is Boutique Hostel Forum from Zadar. The best small travel agency is Medadria from Rijeka, the best middle-sized agency is Calvados Club Luxury Travel from Split, while the best large agency is Uniline from Pula. According to the HGK, the best small campsite in Croatia is Jasenovo Camping in Žaborići, and the best large campsite is Zaton in Zadar.
At this year's Days of Croatian Tourism the glamping category has been introduced, and the award went to Arena One 99 Glamping campsite located in Pomer. In the category of small marinas, the best was the Martinis Marchi marina in Maslinica, and among the middle-sized marinas D-Marin Mandalina marina from Šibenik.
The best large marina is Frapa from Rogoznica, while the Punat marina received a special acknowledgement for the most innovative service.
The best small family hotel this year is the Korana Srakovčić hotel from Karlovac, the best wellness hotel Adriana Hvar Spa Hotel, while the title in the Stories, Croatian Unique Hotels category went to The Pucić Palace from Dubrovnik. The best congress hotel is Westin in Zagreb, and the best city hotel is Esplanade Zagreb. Among the family vacation hotels, the best is Valamar Isabella Island Resort on Sveti Nikola Island near Poreč. The best three-star hotel is The Loop Hotel from Zagreb. The best four-star hotel is Radisson Blu Resort & Spa in Split and the five-star hotel Monte Mulini in Rovinj.
Numerous other awards were presented to the best tourist workers and institutions. The annual Anton Štifanić award for 2017 in the category of institutions, companies and associations went to the Đakovo and Lipik State Stables and to the Ilirija hotel company for organizing the Biograd Boat Show. Among individuals, the annual Anton Štifanić award was presented to two persons who have devoted their lives to tourism. They are Mate Mrakovčić from Krk and Josip Kufner from Zagreb. Mrakovčić has been given the recognition for the development of the Croatian camping industry, while Kufner worked for the City Gas Station in Zagreb for 40 years and would every day at dusk lit the gas lamps in the Upper Town.
Awards for champions of tourism will be presented later today at the closing ceremony of Days of Croatian Tourism, which will be attended by Prime Minister Andrej Plenković.
Translated from Jutarnji List (reported by Barbara Ban).
For more information about Days of Croatian Tourism, follow the dedicated TCN page.
