Zagreb County presents the international Silver Green Destinations Award and the EU project "Let it BEE"

Zagreb County is the winner of the international Silver Green Destinations Award, which confirms a significant step forward in the development of sustainable tourism. After the previously won Bronze Green Destinations Award recognition, the silver level confirms visible progress in the sustainable management of the destination, the preservation of natural and cultural heritage and the development of a tourist offer that relies on the authenticity of the area and the values ​​of the local community.

"The Silver Green Destinations Award is an extremely important international recognition that confirms that Zagreb County is systematically and long-term developing tourism in accordance with the principles of sustainability. This result did not come overnight - it is a process that includes natural resource management, cultural heritage preservation, responsible development planning and strong cooperation of all stakeholders in the destination", she pointed out Ivana Alilović, director of the Zagreb County Tourist Board.

On the occasion of this recognition, a panel discussion and press conference were held, organized by the Zagreb County Tourist Board, at which the new European project Let it BEE was presented, aimed at developing a cross-border apitourism destination between Zagreb County and the Posavje region in Slovenia.

The panel brought together representatives of regional development, local government, academia, economy and tourism. The discussion was attended by Matija Vrban (owner of the Garden Hill Hotel in Velika Gorica), Stipo Duvnjak (president of the "Čiče" Cultural and Artistic Association Novo Čiče), Goran Mališ (director of the Varaždin County Tourist Board), Marko Kos (head of the Administrative Department for Agriculture and Rural Development of the City of Velika Gorica), Tamara Čendo Metzinger (dean of the Velika Gorica Polytechnic), Ivana Alilović (director of the Zagreb County Tourist Board) and Tomislav Komanović, and the topics of innovative tourism products, sustainable destination management and the importance of cooperation between different stakeholders in the development of a competitive and long-term sustainable tourism offer were discussed.

Participants emphasized that modern tourism increasingly relies on strong partnerships between the public and private sectors, educational institutions and local communities, as well as on the development of authentic tourism products that stem from local tradition, natural resources and cultural heritage. Special emphasis was placed on connecting agriculture and tourism, developing sustainable accommodation capacities and valorizing traditional culture as an important part of the tourist experience.

The event also featured the EU project Let it BEE, which aims to develop a cross-border apitourism destination. The project includes the development of apitourism routes, interpretive content and a digital platform that will introduce visitors to the rich tradition of beekeeping and honey production in the Zagreb County and Slovenian Posavina regions.

At the same time, the project further strengthens the cooperation between Croatia and Slovenia and opens up space for the development of new tourist products that connect natural heritage, agriculture and authentic local experiences. Among the planned activities and possible concrete steps, the idea of ​​a sensor park for children in Velika Gorica was highlighted, as content that would bring the world of bees, nature and biodiversity closer to the youngest in an educational and interactive way.

"We are particularly pleased that this recognition comes at a time when we are launching the Let it BEE project, which opens up space for the development of an innovative form of tourism - apitourism. Beekeeping is deeply rooted in our tradition, and through this project we want to turn it into an authentic tourist experience that connects nature, local producers and visitors.", added Director Alilović.

Such facilities, such as the planned sensory park, show the direction in which the project is developing – towards tourism that simultaneously educates, involves the local community, and creates new value for the space.

"I believe that such projects show the direction of development of continental tourism - tourism based on authenticity, cooperation and sustainability, and Zagreb County has all the prerequisites to be one of the leading destinations in this segment", concluded Alilović.