A Croatian association of tourism and rural development on Tuesday celebrated 20 years of existence and of the annual Sunflower of Rural Tourism award to the best rural tourism businesses and rural tourism and development projects. The celebrations in Zagreb were attended by stakeholders from throughout the country.
"Although rural areas cover 92% of Croatian territory, rural tourism accounts for a mere 2% to 3% of total tourism turnover. Nevertheless, there is visible progress in offer, investment and innovations," Tourism Minister Gari Cappelli said.
He added that developing tourism meant developing Croatia.
The president of the tourism and rural development association, Dijana Katica said that over the past two years, the ministry had allocated HRK 7.1 million for 190 projects in rural tourism.
"In the past 20, or 25 years, that we have been involved in rural tourism and development, we toured the country countless times and even today we are still in awe with everything that Croatia has to offer. I believe that the effort invested in the years to come will strengthen and rural areas will contribute to further developing tourism," she said.
She underscored that all those who received awards are proof of improving quality and greater offer in villages and that this year 50 awards were given in seven categories.
(Hina/FaH)
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