ZAGREB, 28 May, 2022 - Hungarian and Italian journalists and a Swiss influencer are the recipients of the Croatian Tourist Board's (HTZ) Golden Pen awards, presented in Split on Friday, for the best publications on Croatia as a tourist destination in 2021.
This year's winner of the Grand Prix for the best article in print/online media is Hungarian journalist Zoltán Szántó, whose report describes his stay in the Split-Dalmatia County with beautiful descriptions and personal experiences of Split, Brač, Klis and their attractions, the HTZ said, adding that the article was published in the print and web editions of Turizmus magazine, the most important B2B magazine in Hungary.
Valeria Cagnoni and Ernaldo Emerson Gattafoni from Italy won the Grand Prix for the best TV/radio report. They are the authors of a special 40-minute report on Croatia broadcast on RAI 1 as part of the award-winning television travel show Dreams Road, one of the most important and successful television series on travel and tourism in Italy in the last 20 years.
The winner of the Grand Prix for the best travel blog or post on social media is Antje-Katrin Schaniel, an influencer from Switzerland behind the Instagram profile of Senza Camedi, who specialises in the most beautiful places and the best food of every culture. During her stay in Croatia, Antje visited Opatija, Krk, Rab, Lošinj and Cres.
The 18th award ceremony was attended by 17 foreign journalists from 14 countries.
"The past two years have been very challenging for all of us. However, despite all the difficulties, Croatia has shown its strength and achieved the best tourist result in the Mediterranean," HTZ director Kristjan Staničić said at the ceremony.
"Croatia has a very positive image in the tourism market, which is, among other things, the result of well-written coverage, recommendations and impressions of many journalists, bloggers and influencers who have stayed in our country. By awarding these prizes, we would like to thank them for their exceptional contribution and the promotion of Croatia, but also to show respect for their work, profession and loyal audience that accompanies them", he added.
Croatia is having an excellent pre-season, the tourist results are extraordinary, but we must prepare for the challenges ahead, said Tonči Glavina, state secretary at the Tourism Ministry.
This season is very important for returning to previous records as well as for raising quality and generating much higher revenue, he added.
