Lonjsko Polje and Mljet connect local products and tourism: a small project with a potentially big model

Public institutions Lonjsko polje Nature Park i Mljet National Park signed a Cooperation Agreement in Krapje, which begins the implementation of the joint project "Flavors of Croatia - from Lonjsko Polje to Mljet".

It is an initiative that connects continental and Mediterranean Croatia through the promotion of local products, natural and cultural heritage and the development of sustainable tourism.

The partnership between the two protected areas is based on the joint promotion of Croatia as a country of diverse landscapes, traditions and gastronomic products. One of the first concrete activities will be the exchange of indigenous products in the souvenir shops of both institutions.

Thus, products with the label will be available in the souvenir shops of the Mljet National Park. "Originally from Lonjsko Polje"", including mint honey, flower honey, chocolate and pralines with honey, Croccantino ice cream with honey from Lonjsko polje, and honey liqueur.

At the same time, visitors to the Lonjsko Polje Nature Park will be able to purchase wine, olive oil and liqueurs under the label "Mljet Made".

In this way, visitors to one protected area will have the opportunity to learn about the products and stories of another part of Croatia, while local producers will gain an additional sales and promotion channel outside their home destination.

Joint promotion under the slogan "From the continent to the Mediterranean"

The cooperation also includes the development of a joint promotional concept under the slogan "From the Continent to the Mediterranean", the arrangement of special promotional corners in souvenir shops, the creation of joint promotional materials and the implementation of digital campaigns.

Mutual promotion of events held in protected areas is also planned, such as RangerRUN in Lonjsko Polje and the Mljet Trail.

The goal of the project is to increase the visibility of local producers, help preserve traditional products, and further enrich the offer of Croatian nature parks and national parks.

"This agreement is much more than a business partnership. It connects two Croatian protected areas that, although different in landscape, share the same values ​​- preserving nature, supporting the local community and promoting sustainable development. I believe that this cooperation will become an example of good practice and show how, by working together, we can create added value for our visitors and local producers.", said the director of the Public Institution Lonjsko Polje Nature Park Domagoj Šejatović.

"We are proud that Mljet National Park is becoming part of this beautiful story that symbolically connects the Croatian Mediterranean and continental Croatia. The exchange of indigenous products and the joint promotion of our natural resources will allow visitors to get to know different parts of Croatia in one place, while at the same time giving additional impetus to local producers and the development of sustainable tourism.", emphasized the director of the Mljet National Park Public Institution Ivan Srsen.

Collaboration that must go beyond promotion

Connecting Lonjsko Polje and Mljet is interesting precisely because it goes beyond the administrative and geographical borders of each destination.

On one side we have a continental wetland, on the other an island national park and a Mediterranean landscape. These are completely different spaces, but with very similar challenges: how to develop tourism, promote local products and generate income, while preserving the natural space that visitors come for in the first place.

The exchange of local products may seem like a small step, but there is an important model behind it. Instead of each park developing its offer completely separately, such collaborations can open up space for joint promotion, exchange of knowledge, linking of producers and development of new tourist products.

The value of the project will therefore not only be in how many bottles of wine, jars of honey or other products will be sold in souvenir shops. What is more important is whether the collaboration will eventually grow into a broader exchange of experiences on visitor management, heritage interpretation, sustainable mobility, digitalization and local community involvement.

Protected areas should not be just isolated tourist attractions, but places where the best models of tourism management are demonstrated. Increasing the number of visitors in itself is not development, especially when nature is the main and most sensitive tourism resource.

This is precisely why Croatia needs more such connections, but also more concrete joint projects that will not remain only at the level of promotion and signed agreements.

Photo: PP Lonjsko polje