Happy World Tourism Day!

Like every year, 27. September is celebrated all over the world World Tourism Day, and this year's motto is 'Tourism and Green Investments'.

The date of September 27th marks the day of the signing of the Statute of the Organization that became UNWTO.

The first World Tourism Day was held in 1980 as the Global Tourism Day, and aims to celebrate the sector's vital role in promoting peace and prosperity. UNWTO's global regions take turns hosting official celebrations, always at the right time and with a relevant theme.

Sustainable tourism as an imperative

Although there are various definitions, dimensions and understandings of the concept of sustainable tourism, one of the main elements is the use of local resources in the destination, especially through short supply chains in tourism, i.e. the HoReCa channel.

If we look through the prism of Croatian tourism, we have a secure demand and consumption of over 20 million arrivals and 100.000+ overnight stays. In order for tourism to have a real purpose, and thus be sustainable, we must produce enough food for tourism needs and connect the HoReCa channel with producers.

Ultimately, this is the meaning of tourism, to reduce tourism consumption and distribute it to the local economy, and not to encourage imports through tourism. Especially through the prism of basic products: from eggs, carrots, lettuce, tomato, salad to cured meat products.

In addition to "zero kilometer" distribution, strengthening the local economy, small and medium-sized enterprises, and keeping people in rural areas through short supply chains (direct distribution, use of intermediaries or clusters), we have ensured high quality and fresh products.

Also, in recent years, tourists have become increasingly interested in the climate footprint of vacation travel, local gastronomy, the origin of food, healthy food, organic and ecological production or farming.

What is the monthly demand / consumption = need for domestic eggs, say in Pula, Rijeka or Zadar?

This is a key strategic issue for our destinations. Because tourism is much more than accommodation and the beach and vertically and horizontally connects various industries - and primarily through food producers. If tourism is not sustainable and income generates imports - then it is not and cannot be sustainable tourism. 

On the occasion of World Tourism Day, there is no better message than to start the path of sustainable tourism. Everything starts from ourselves, both as an individual and as a society, and everything starts with the first step forward or the first contact with a local manufacturer and producer. 

A message on the occasion of World Tourism Day was sent by the director of the Croatian National Tourist Board (HTZ), Kristjan Staničić, which we are reprinting in full. 

"Dear tourism professionals and travel enthusiasts, 27. September is celebrated all over the world World Tourism Day so I would like to take this opportunity to extend my sincere congratulations to you. This year's World Tourism Day is dedicated to the theme  "Tourism and green investments" This once again confirms how important sustainability in tourism has become on a global level, especially when it comes to new investments and activities that destinations are undertaking to simultaneously successfully engage in tourism while preserving their resources and natural wealth.

Our country, which is recognized as an attractive, high-quality and popular tourist destination, is also on this path. The Croatian tourism sector has recognized that sustainability must be at the center of its activities, and has adopted it at the national level. Sustainable tourism development strategy until 2030, and there is a new one Strategic Marketing and Operational Plan of Croatian Tourism until 2027, a document containing promotional guidelines, activities and a new development direction for Croatian tourism.  

World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) last year identified investments as one of the key priorities for the recovery and further growth and development of tourism, which is why the need for more and better targeted investments for people, the planet and prosperity was highlighted. So now is the right moment for new and innovative solutions.

Together, we must strive to further raise the ecological awareness of each individual because the future of our planet depends on it. Numerous research based on modern technology allows us to see more than ever before how and to what extent the activities of modern civilization affect planet Earth. At the Croatian Tourist Board, we encourage all tourism entities and individuals to undertake targeted and coordinated activities in order to build a society that consciously cares about nature and the environment, because only in this way can we do good for the future of Croatian tourism and, more importantly, for the future of all of us and our children. 

I also call on all citizens to World Tourism Day enjoy numerous programs of tourist boards, which have prepared interesting programs of celebration from the coast to the continent, within which numerous tourist attractions will be available at favorable prices or completely free of charge, from national parks and nature parks, adrenaline parks, museums, caves, protected areas, sightseeing destinations, as well as numerous workshops, performances and much more.

And let's not forget, let's act today to have a better tomorrow. Let's protect our nature because that's how we protect ourselves. "