Mediterranean Forum in Split: Split-Dalmatia County receives important award

Organized by the Split-Dalmatia County Tourist Board and the Mediterranean Tourism Foundation, in Split today maintains Mediterranean Tourism Forum "Central Dalmatia - A World of Opportunity", which brought together numerous domestic and international experts in the field of tourism.

The opening of the forum was attended by State Secretary from the Ministry of Tourism and Sports Monika Udovicič, Prefect of Split-Dalmatia County Blaženko Boban, Director of the Split-Dalmatia County Tourist Board Ivana Vladović, with video address European Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Šuica.

At the very beginning of the forum, the Split-Dalmatia County was presented with MTF Mediterranean Destination Leadership Award - LA PLUS BELLE, which was received by County Prefect Blaženko Boban and presented by the President of the Mediterranean Tourism Foundation Tony Zahra. This is an award given to destinations recognized for their exceptional leadership in the development of sustainable, innovative and quality tourism in the Mediterranean, as well as their contribution to thinking about the future of tourism development.

A series of panel discussions were held at the forum. The first panel, entitled "From success to strategic choice" brought together Monika Udovičić, State Secretary at the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Stipe Čogelja, Deputy Prefect of Split-Dalmatia County, Aradhana Khowala, President and Founder of Aptamind Partners, and Demetris Spanos, Director of the Croatian Tourism Council for the Mediterranean. The panel discussed the transition from a phase of strong tourism growth to a phase of strategic management of destination development and the challenges of sustainability in tourism.

Second panel, "Connecting Mediterranean countries on a cultural level", brought together Vesna Bulić Baketić, Director of the Split City Museum, Josipa Aračić, Head of the Administrative Department for Culture, Heritage and Tourism of the City of Split, Prof. Dr. Sc. Dimitrios Buhalis, Director of the eTourism Lab and Deputy Director of the International Centre for Tourism and Hospitality Research at Bournemouth University (England), and Andrew Agius Muscat, Secretary General of the Mediterranean Tourism Foundation. The discussion focused on strengthening cultural cooperation, shared Mediterranean identities and the role of culture in shaping tourism policies and products.

The last panel of the day, "Gastronomy as a living cultural heritage", brought together Ivana Vladović, Director of the Split-Dalmatia County Tourist Board, Jelena Tabak, President of the Association of Hospitality Activities at the Croatian Chamber of Economy, Hamid Bentahar, President of La Fédération du Tourisme from Morocco, and Hisham Zaazou, former Minister of Tourism of Egypt. The participants discussed the role of gastronomy, local products and culinary heritage in creating authentic experiences of a destination.

Also, as part of the conference, today, the following day, there will be Think Tank, during which participants will discuss in working groups the key challenges and opportunities common to Mediterranean tourist destinations.

Along with the Split-Dalmatia County Tourist Board, the forum is organized by the Mediterranean Tourism Foundation. This is an organization based in Malta that promotes the sustainable development of tourism in the Mediterranean region, with a special emphasis on the preservation of natural and cultural heritage and the responsible management of tourism resources. Through various initiatives and projects, it brings together experts, institutions and destinations with the aim of stimulating innovation and raising awareness of the importance of long-term sustainable tourism that benefits local communities, the economy and the environment.