Again in front of everyone: the first 13 Good Travel Seal certificates in Croatia were awarded in Međimurje

Yesterday, a press conference was held in Međimurje where they were awarded Good Travel certificates Seal which reward the achievements of tourism stakeholders in the region in the field of sustainable tourism and their commitment to high standards.

It is an upgrade to the certification for the label Green Destination, which Međimurje wears as the only region in Croatia, and means additional improvement of sustainable management of the destination and education of stakeholders. Label Good trip is a guarantee of extremely high standards in the tourism industry, with a focus on environmental protection.

The hosts of the conference were the Lajtman family in their rural Međimurje holiday home Lina, which they were the first in Croatia to receive European Ecolabel certificate, and last year two other extremely important awards: the Golden Sunflower Charter of Croatian Rural Tourism for 2023 in the category of tourist farms, and the special award of the Croatian Tourist Board as the best rental company in the category of valorization of cultural heritage and sustainable development.

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Thus, in the Međimurje County, in the category of accommodation facilities and hotels, the following are certified: Pozoj's house, House Dobranić, apartment Hiža 38, Holiday house Pušlek, Holiday house Lina, Toplice Sveti Martin and the company's Panorama hotel DG Sport.

A mark of excellence Good trip, in the travel agency category, the company won Rudi express, and in the category of museums and visitor centers Ecomuseum Međimurje a little, with a stroke zaLookout on Magjerkina breg, Tourist board of Sveti Martin na Mura municipality za The miller's cottage and the associated multimedia collection, then, in the category of adrenaline parks, a certificate was awarded Agricultural farm Geler, while in the winery category it is certified Wine house Hažić.

Posavec: Instead of mass, we strive for quality

Prefect of Međimurje County Matija Posavec, highlighted the hosts - the Lajtman family - as an exemplary example of success in the field of sustainable tourism, and of branding Međimurje as a green oasis in the heart of Europe.

"And we can see what Međimurje is striving for with the example of Lina Holiday House. Instead of mass, we strive for quality, building it on order and cultural-historical and natural values, concentrated in a small, strongly connected space. In that, we are different from others", said the prefect, adding that behind every award and certificate there is a lot of effort of knowledge and innovation, as well as brave entrepreneurial ventures of the people of Međimurje. 

A year of top events in Međimurje

In 2024, Međimurje County and the Tourist Board will support event organizers with a total amount reaching 55.000 euros, and is significantly higher compared to previous years.

Over the past years, thanks to our support, 81 new tourist products have been developed, stressed the prefect Posavec, and about the new public call for grants, the director of the Međimurje Tourist Board Rudi Grula says:In cooperation with Međimurje county, we have opened a new call for organizers of tourist events in 2024, and our criteria, as in previous years, are focused on sustainability, and the organizers must meet new ecological and other related standards. Ahead of us is a rich period when it comes to events, and Međimurje will host top events, from culture to sports.", he stressed Rudi Grula, inviting the organizers to take advantage of the grants and apply for the competition, which will be open for a month.

During 2023, Međimurje was visited by almost 7.500 more tourists than the year before

In 2023, Međimurje was visited by 7.439 more guests, i.e. 12.227 overnight stays more than in 2022, and if we look at the percentages 5,85% more overnight stays compared to the year before and 8,43% more arrivals than in 2022.

Domestic guests are still the most numerous, with 2023 or 51.553 percent in 54, and they accounted for 48 percent of total overnight stays. Guests from neighboring Slovenia follow, then Poland, Germany and Austria.

Photo: Međimurje county / Rudi Express / illustration: hrturism