Successfully completed project "Development and improvement of outdoor tourism products in the Đakovo area"

Four years ago, the Tourist Board of the City of Đakovo and nine municipalities of the Đakovo region: Drenje, Levanjska Varoš, Gorjani, Satnica Đakovačka, Punitovci, Semeljci, Strizivojna, Trnava and Viškovci concluded a cooperation agreement with the aim of developing and shaping the Đakovo region into a unique, harmonized and market-affirmed destination for cyclotourism and other outdoor products.

Based on this project association, the Tourist Board of the City of Đakovo, as the coordinator, in 2024 submitted the project to the Public Tender of the Croatian Tourist Board for the allocation of funds for projects of associated tourist boards.

Project "Development and improvement of outdoor tourism products in the area of ​​Đakovo - activities on lakes and other outdoor activities" received a grant of 30.000,00 euros, which represents 80% of the total project value, and the remaining share is financed by the coordinator and partners. The project was also supported by the City of Đakovo and the Đakovo Sports and Rowing Association.

The Đakovo region with its lakes has great potential for the development and improvement of green and sustainable outdoor tourism products, especially lake activities. Specifically, Lake Jošava, located in the area of ​​the City of Đakovo and the Municipality of Viškovci, was the venue for rowing training of the Đakovo Sports Rowing Association (boat, kayak, canoe), as part of the project, and the 5th final race of the Cup of the Republic of Croatia - Croatian Kayak League in kayaking and canoeing on calm waters for younger cadets, cadets and younger juniors was held, which brought together 170 participants from all over the country.

This lake also hosted the beginning of kayak training for younger age groups, it also hosted school sports holidays, and the first control measurement of candidates for the Croatian national marathon team for the World Kayak and Canoe Championships held in Metković. Lake Borovik, located in the area of ​​the Drenje and Levanjske Varoš municipalities, was also the venue for rowing training of the Đakovo Sports and Rowing Association (boat, kayak, canoe) and the Borovik Cup boat race, which was attended by about three hundred participants from all over Croatia.

Emphasis on events that promote outdoor offerings The Đakovo region proved to be the right direction, so the seventh edition of the Enzit Night Center was held in Strizivojna with as many as 320 competitors from the country and abroad, both recreational and professional runners who ran races of 5 and 10 kilometers. The 4th Pedalina Bicycle Race with a hundred participants who rode an interesting 50,7 kilometer route through several municipalities of the Đakovo region is certainly significant on the list of events.

The project has enriched outdoor Đakovo area and equipment, so on this occasion a trailer for transporting boats, kayaks and pontoons was purchased, and by purchasing equipment and organizing outdoor events, TZ Đakovo wishes its partners develop, popularize and improve a green and sustainable outdoor tourism product - with an emphasis on activities on the lakes, but also on other outdoor activities with the purpose of developing and improving the comparative advantages of the destination and the valorization of natural heritage. As part of the activity, an interactive info board was purchased and installed for the educational trail in the Municipality of Satnica Đakovačka.

Lakes are the biggest advantage of Đakovo and investment in outdoor facilities and the production of events that popularize outdoor activities on lakes is the right way to develop touristic outdoor products. Through the use of natural resources, the Đakovo region strengthens its offer in this segment, for which we have excellent examples in the neighborhood in Austria and Switzerland. It is important in this project and cooperation of local stakeholders especially strengthening local sports clubs and associations, this is extremely important.

"Funds for the implementation of the project were secured from the Fund for Underdeveloped Tourist Areas and the Continent based on the Decision of the Tourist Council of the Croatian National Tourist Board at the proposal of a committee consisting of representatives of the Croatian National Tourist Board, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Croatia and members of the tourist council of the regional tourist community." he explains Director of the Đakova Tourist Board Marija Borko adding that the goal is to improve the comparative advantages of the destination and the valorization of natural heritage.

The lakes certainly have the potential for developing a quality tourist product for the Đakovo region, which is the heart of Slavonia, and with the outdoor tourism product, Đakovo will easily tie in other products and package tourist packages for a wider audience.

This region capitalizes on its natural heritage precisely through active tourism - cycle tourism and outdoors related to the lakes. 

Photo: Đakovo Tourist Board