Novalja, Central Istria, Lošinj and Hvar as positive examples from practice

Have you ever wanted to explore the rich history of the city of Novalja? Now is your chance! Join us for a free sightseeing tour of the city - from the city's Roman roots to its medieval splendor - is the announcement of TZ Novalja and invitation to free tourist guide on the historical traces of Novalja within the project "Explore Croatia with Darka"

Tours are held in Croatian and English accompanied by a licensed guide Bozidarke Darka Šćerba Haupt. 

What is particularly worth pointing out and as a positive example is that the targeted tours are in the domain of cultural tourism, and above all, that they are tours that take place during four months, from June to September, practically week after week, not once. In addition to being a targeted cultural tourism project, this repetition is important, which makes the historical tourist tour a permanent tourist content. 

Also, this is another message that the destination is open for tourists outside the peak season. Although it seems like a small step, it is all part of the pieces that ultimately make up a complete tourist mosaic of an extension of the tourist season. 

Tourism stakeholders become tourists in their destination

By the way, TZG Novalje also organizes tourist tours for private renters before the season, so that they can get to know the novelties of the destination as well as possible and so that they can experience the tourist facilities first hand. An extremely important element, if we care about quality in the destination, because this way the hosts can pass on their personal experiences and recommendations to the guests.

We are ambassadors of our tourism, especially accommodation providers who are in direct contact and interaction with guests. A first-hand recommendation is always the best recommendation. Tourist stakeholders and local residents are the best ambassadors of the destination. 

This year, Novalja is also celebrating 70 years of organized tourism in the city of Novalja. 

Works similarly Mali Lošinj Tourist Board where, before the season, tourist stakeholders are introduced to new programs through organized excursions to familiarize them with the attractions and sights of Cres and Lošinj. I emphasize i Maggot, although it is about "another tourist destination". The islands of Cres and Lošinj are connected by a bridge and as a whole form a unique destination. Although we have invisible borders through counties, cities and municipalities, on Lošinj and Cres they are aware that these borders do not exist in tourism. 

Let me return to island of Pag. It is precisely in this spirit that on Pag, with the synergy of all TZs on the island, they have created, in my opinion, the best Croatian outdoor tourism product - Pag Summer Outdoor. One island, one destination according to the market. So simple and logical. 

In central Istria with free tours and additional offers for an extra charge

Guests who come to central Istria are most often looking for an active holiday and authentic Istria, they are interested in cycling and hiking trails, culture and gastronomy. This is precisely why the Tourist Board of Central Istria already traditionally organizes free tours of the small towns on its own territory - Sveti Petar u Šuma and Tinjan, Pazin, Sveti Lovreč and Gračišća and Pićno.

Central Istria free walking tour which is held in June, August and September in Croatian and English accompanied by a licensed guide for the Istrian County.

Interestingly, as part of the free tours are also included additional offers with extra charge which is new and a good example. 

For an additional fee, after the free tourist tour, visitors can experience wine, olive oil and distillate tasting in Pićani, a visit to the Museum of the City of Pazin and the Ethnographic Museum of Istria in Pazin, or a visit to the Istrian Pršut Lodge in Sv. Petar in Šuma and Tinjan.

A good example of how, in addition to a free tour that is added value and quality content of the destination, guests can extend their stay through additional content. This increases tourist consumption and directs guests to additional facilities. An excellent example of a different approach. I hope that it will be successful on the field as well, i.e. that the tourists will accept it.  

The most important thing about new things is not to give up at the first or first "failure". It is necessary to push all new initiatives and projects for a longer period of time, to monitor guests' reactions, to do evaluations and fine tuning and after the completed period, make an analysis - push further or not? It is not a "failure" if a project turns out to be a "flop" for a specific reason. You had an idea, you worked on its elaboration and development, but for certain reasons (it would be good if you knew what they were) it was not accepted on the market. You tried, tested and great, let's move on. Now you know what passes and what doesn't. 

Life, including business as well as tourism, consists of successes and failures or attempts, some are successful and some are not. But the most important thing is to push forward and develop the destination. And in order to test something as an idea in your head, you have to test it on the market. 

Education for seasonal workers as well

It should definitely be mentioned how it is TZG Hvar this year she organized a tourist tour with licensed guides, but targeted for seasonal workers who work during the tourist season on Hvar, i.e. who have found their "temporary home" on Hvar. 

Although until now some tourist boards, such as Novalja and Lošinj, have organized tourist tours for local residents and renters, this is (at least to my knowledge) the first time that a tourist board has organized a tourist tour targeted at seasonal workers.

Even seasonal workers are in direct contact with guests and must know key information about the destination. They must know where they are, the history and cultural heritage, and what to recommend to guests in the destination. 

If we care about the sustainable and strategic development of tourism, then we must always care about quality performance. So that our first line of defense, i.e. from local residents, hosts, and also "foreign" workers (both foreign and local who came for the season) and who are in direct contact with guests, to know the narrative of the destination, i.e. recommend key contents and information about the destination to guests.