Roses of Zagreb County awarded for 2026: People at the heart of tourism

At the Business Incubator in Velika Gorica on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, the Zagreb County Tourist Board awarded the award for the fourth time. Rose of Zagreb County, an annual recognition for excellence in tourism.

From a record 75 applications in eight categories, tourism workers and projects that raise the quality of the county's tourism offer with their work, offerings and services were awarded, and the ceremony was graced by the Velika Gorica baritone and national singing champion Niko Stepanić.

In the category of Innovative Products and Services, family beekeeping was awarded. Med Antolčić from Velika Gorica, which nurtures the tradition through four generations, i OPG Antoljak from Sveta Nedelja, recognized for its award-winning pumpkin seed oil produced using a traditional process. The Best Event award went to Bučijada Ivanić-Grad, the largest Croatian gastronomic event dedicated to pumpkins and the Zaprešić eno-gastronomic event Rosé & Raspberries, which combines rosé wines and local raspberries.

In Eno-gastro tourism, the following were awarded: Brigljević craft distillery, one of the oldest family boutique distilleries that combines Turopolje tradition and sustainable business, and Braje picnic area and vineyard house in the heart of Plešivica. In the Sustainable Tourism category, the following stood out: The Path of Life of Pušća, a sacred walking path and a public park, and Vinarija Tomac from Jastrebarsko, with a tradition of more than two hundred years and pioneering sparkling wines.

The Digital Innovation in Tourism category was marked by an ecological platform Croatia goes wild with its Samobor Thunderstorm te interactive quizzes of the Tourist Board of Ivanić-GradIn Socially Responsible Entrepreneurship, the following companies were awarded: IGO-MAT, known for its Samobor salami, and Paradise Ltd. from Sveta Nedelja, a leading producer of mini tomatoes based on ecological sustainability.

In the category of Employees in Tourism and Related Activities, the awards went to a pastry chef Dalia Pazic, the creative force of the Ivanićgrad pastry shop D'Cake, and Zlata Krznaric, a long-time volunteer and guardian of the Turopolje heritage. In the Accommodation category, the following were awarded: Javor Holiday House, an authentic house in the heart of Žumberak, and Cottage Bobica above the river Kupa, known for its seasonally decorated, fairy-tale ambiance.

Alilović: A destination is not built by numbers. It is built by people

"In tourism, the loudest talk is about numbers, about arrivals, overnight stays and income. But a destination is not built by numbers. It is built by people: those who get up before dawn so that guests can find fresh bread and a warm welcome, those who have been cultivating the vines on the slopes of Plešivica for years, those who turn a good idea into an event that makes visitors come back next year. I created the Rose of Zagreb County precisely for them, because tourism is a feeling.", She pointed out Director of the Zagreb County Tourist Board Ivana Alilović.

Special awards went to famous hands

A series of special recognitions, beyond the framework of categories, but not beyond the framework of excellence, were achieved by commendable projects, prominent people from the world of tourism and social life, accommodation facilities and events. One of the awards was also received by the renovated project Šumarica hiking and educational trails, realized with a donation from Lidl Croatia.

"This recognition is a great pleasure for us and confirmation that socially responsible business has a real and long-term impact when it responds to the needs of the local community. The project to restore the Šumarica hiking and educational trail is particularly important to us because it connects nature conservation, education and encourages families to actively spend time outdoors.", said Lidl Croatia.

Among the awardees are: Chop Old House Hotel, winery Good Harvest, newly opened tourist resort The Spot, Šember Agricultural Farm, jubilee 200. Samobor Carnival and prominent individuals, journalist Hassan Haidar Diab, travel blogger and photographer Domagoj Sever i Milica Birk from Naftalan Special Hospital.

"Through many years of work on the development of health tourism, I have tried to contribute to the development of tourism in my town and county, which are becoming more and more recognizable destinations in the continental part of Croatia every day. I would like to thank everyone who recognizes my contribution to the sustainable development of tourism in our region."", She pointed out Assistant Director for Health Tourism at Naftalan Special Hospital Milica Birk.

With this year's edition, the Rose of Zagreb County has confirmed that it has grown into a recognizable platform of excellence, an award that every year brings together more and more people, projects and ideas that make our county a better destination, stated the Zagreb County Tourist Board and added: "We would like to thank all the winners, applicants and partners who made this ceremony a true celebration of Zagreb County tourism. Today, we are proud to announce the fifth edition of the award, confident that next year it will show us how the green heart of continental Croatia beats ever stronger."

Photo: Zagreb County Tourist Board