UNWTO COVID-19 Tourism Recovery Technical Assistance Package with EBRD 

Croatia is a member of the UNWTO Executive Council (2021-2025)

Croatia is a member of the Committee for Tourism and Sustainability (2023-2027)

UNWTO and the Government of Croatia Organized 2nd World Sports Tourism Congress in Zadar (April 2023)

Croatian Village “Kaštelir-Labinci” is in the Best Tourism Villages Upgrade Programme. 

Croatian Village “Slunj Rstoke” has been selected in the Best Tourism Villages Upgraded Programme 

Croatia is making the new Tourism Act that will be aligned with their „Sustainable Tourism Development Strategy 2030“ adopted in 2022 

Investments

(Match:One of the objectives of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports is to attract foreign investment for the tourism sector.)

• Organization of Global Tourism Investment Forum, aiming at assisting Member States in attracting investments and fostering entrepreneurship.
• UNWTO can assist Croatia in developing Tourism Guidelines tailored for them.
• UNWTO & fDi intelligence from the Financial Times - UNWTO Members can have limited access to world-class digital investment platforms at no cost

Education/Training and digital transformation

(Match: The Operational strategies of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports include development of the quality, skills, and knowledge of Human Resource. Development of a human resource development program for the tourism sector including policies to improve employment opportunities, conditions of employment and training is required to bring about a workforce which is consistent with the demand in the global market of services).

• Support through the UNWTO.Academy: UNWTO can assist Croatia in the development of tourism educational programs (i.e., curricula), along with the delivery of tailored-made trainings (I.e., training for officials).
• Organization of Masterclasses focused on digital skills, such as Amadeus (Better data analysis for better decision-making).
• Introduce the Innovation Hubs Network worldwide.
• Introduce the UNWTO Students League
• Introduce UNWTO traineeship programme and staff on loan programme

Enhance of key tourism segments

(Match:Another objective of the Ministry is to increase the tourist consumption in Croatia.)

• Segments of interest: Support Croatia in the enhancement of its tourism segments of interest through capacity building activities and exchange of best practices with other destinations.
• Provide support and technical assistance if requested in the development of separate types of tourism (for example, gastronomy, sport etc.).
• Potential activities related to rural tourism development within the context of UNWTO-FAO MoU

Branding & Marketing

(Match: Marketing is one of the operational strategies prioritized by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of Croatia. • Tourism branding conceptualized and run in a professional way • Public relations in tourism conceptualized and run in a professional way • Switching to online communication with the markets • Staff at all levels involved in lifelong learning

• Support the promotion of Croatia through the organization of a Google Masterclass on improving the promotion of destinations through Google & use of Google analytics.
• UNWTO.Academy: Organization of dedicated trainings on efficient promotion and marketing of destinations for destinations officials / Assist destinations on the development of marketing & promotion strategy of destinations.

Sustainable tourism development and enhancement of key tourism segments 

(Match: Albania is putting strong emphasis on the development of key segments, through the development of innovative tourism products. Principal segments, considering the assets of the country, are: cultural tourism (Regions nearby archeological sites), nature tourism (National wildlife, parks), rural tourism (Villages with important cultural and historical heritages) and coastal tourism (Coast facing the Adriatic and Ionian Seas)

• Support Croatia in the enhancement of its tourism segments of interest through capacity building activities (Tourism Plan, tourism promotion, tourism product development) or support in the development of research activities (TMIC, TECO)
• One Planet Sustainable Tourism Programme
  • Global Tourism Plastic Initative
  • Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism
  • COVID-19 responsible Tourism Recovery
• Further development of the Global Tourism Plastics initiative (led by UNWTO, UN Environment and the government of France in collaboration with Ellen MacArthur Foundation). More info: Signatory of the International Tourism Plastic Pledge (2019). The signatories recognize the urgency and the need to work together to reduce plastic pollution. Together they represent around 180,000 employees and 50 million holidaymakers. In the coming months, a plan will be developed to reduce the use of plastics and to prevent plastic pollution at destinations. This will be a collaboration with UNWTO, UN Environment and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. MVO Nederland (CSR Netherlands) is the initiator.

Croatian Sustainable Tourism Strategy

Long-Term Vision: Croatia's sustainable tourism strategy is extending until 2030, with a clear national plan until 2027.

Legislative Advancements: The impending Tourism Law, aims to establish Legislative Advancer crucial frameworks, such as data monitoring and stakeholder roles. 

Regulatory Precision: A specialized regulation for sustainable tourism is essential, along with Collaborating with civil society groups.

Transformative Measures: A transformation of tourist boards into Destination Management Organizations (DMOS) will foster better coordination and management. 

Tools for Sustainability: Introducing new monitoring tools;  development index, and sustainability indicators to better assess the impact of tourism 

Monitoring Systems: Specialized systems, like tourism satellite accounts and
integrated information systems, will help monitor tourism's impact on social, ecological, and economic aspects.

Regular Evaluations: Regular assessments every four years will ensure that
tourism's effects on local communities, space, and resources are evaluated.