Along with CROATIAN TOURISM DAYS 2024, the 180th anniversary of organized tourism and the opening of the warm Adriatic to continental Europe was also celebrated. Restaurants and villas for rest and rehabilitation of the Viennese aristocracy surrounded the church of St. Jakov, and to the resident population a new type of occupation that brought not only existence but also all kinds of cultural and economic progress.
The sunny side of the ancient Illyrian province of Histria, which also encloses the Kvarner Bay, was inhabited since prehistoric times, and the fertile soil, along with geological ore potentials and a rich seabed, were the existential potentials of Histria and Liburn for centuries. Even the invaders, especially from the other side of the Adriatic, but also behind the Alps, were not immune to the beauty at their fingertips.
///Poreč – champion of Croatian tourism for 2024
In addition to the Roman ones, other European conquerors also had their interests here, especially the strong naval power Venice in the Middle Ages and Austria-Hungary at the beginning of the 19th century. The opening of railways from the European continent to Rijeka also strengthened the economic position of Kvarner, so continental vacationers eager for rest and recreation quickly realized the value of the warm Adriatic in the extreme northwest of the Mediterranean. In addition to business arrivals, wealthy entrepreneurs quickly began to come more often and stay longer, and many with their families, so there was a demand for accommodation as well as catering facilities. Opportunities to invest in tourist facilities have also opened up, so it is not surprising that even after two centuries, Opatija (named after the Benedictine abbey) next to the church of St. St. James the Apostle is still equally attractive and fairytale-like today, as the singers who have been gathering for decades at the music festival in the iconic Kvarner Hotel have called it.
That's why this year's gathering of Croatian tourist poklisers, which is held in different places every year, chose Opatija bajna. Even the top of the state, from the President of the Parliament and the Government to the relevant ministers, does not miss such opportunities to further steer the tourism rudder in the direction of overall sustainability.
Both the system of tourist boards and the Croatian Chamber of Commerce gave their approval to the event, which also had protocol outlines through the selection of the best organizations, individuals, entrepreneurs... and MAN AS THE KEY TO SUCCESS, and which marked the year 2024 at the end, but also cultural and entertaining. note. This time too, the famous Crystal Hall of the Kvarner Hotel was the epicenter, and the accompanying events in the nearby conference halls and bars for tourist chakulones made this tourist meeting unforgettable.
Along with the exchange of experiences, new trends and global challenges are somehow easier to communicate with a rich meal and wine from the Kvarner islands and the Istrian peninsula.
And a trip to the nearby Matulje was particularly impressive, where we were led by the agile and holistic director of the tourist board, who enthusiastically introduced us to this mountain municipality between the Adriatic Sea and the slopes of the Alpine mountains, which were already whitened by the first snow. Our palates were especially filled with honey products from OPG and local stations, which through extremely tasty and healthy local foods and meat products actually demonstrated the paradigm of sustainable tourism... and finally, the delicious craft beer of the family brewery completed our gastronomic pleasure, and the spirit was pampered by the immediacy and friendly atmosphere.
The fabulous atmosphere was completed by the local bell ringers, dispelling evil spirits with thunderous bells and calling for kindness and friendship, both among tourism workers and a holistic approach to each guest. Definitely thumbs up for the tourism milestone towards sustainability, and the heavenly patron St. Jakov, with apostolic manners, will direct our everyday tourism, to a rich heritage and to a brighter future.
