Međimurje gathers experts for training in sustainable tourism management

In Sveti Martin na Mura in Međimurje, from 23 to 25 October 2023. will be held first Green Destinations Regional Training Event in the world. Over the course of three days, the event will bring together domestic and foreign tourism experts and prominent stakeholders who will share best practices and thoughts on sustainability with the gathered participants through panel discussions, lectures and interactive workshops. This event is organized by the global non-profit organization Green Destinations, then the company Tourism Lab, which is their exclusive representative in Croatia, and the Tourist Board of Međimurje County.

Međimurje thus becomes the central place of discussion about sustainability in tourism. The special feature of this event is precisely the emphasis on practical skills of sustainable management in tourism through the promotion of the best practices and the latest trends in the field of sustainable tourism.

"Taking into account the importance of sustainable management in destinations and tourism companies, I am looking forward to the fact that in Međimurje we will gather leading experts in the field of destination management, as well as great tourism entrepreneurs. It is this event that will provide theoretical knowledge, but also practical skills on transformation processes towards a sustainable management and certification. Trends indicate that sustainability certification will become imperative for the development and tourism competitiveness of destinations, protected areas and tourism companies in the near future. Education in this sense is essential to ensure that the tourism economy grows sustainably.", she pointed out Chairwoman of the Organizing Committee and Director of the Tourism Lab company dr. Katarina Miličević.

Međimurje is the first sustainable region in Croatia

Međimurje was chosen as the destination where the Green Destinations Regional Training Event will be held precisely because it is the first region in Croatia to be assessed as a sustainable destination and awarded with a silver medal. This recognition is not only of great importance for Međimurje, but also for the whole of Croatia, considering that it is one of only four sustainable regions in the world.

"Međimurje as a region was awarded the silver Green Destinations award for sustainability, and I saw firsthand the comprehensiveness and demandingness of the certified process. I can say with certainty that it was all worth it, primarily from the aspect of raising the quality of the tourist service and harmonizing all stakeholders with sustainability processes. I invite everyone who wants to learn more about sustainable management to apply for this event", said the director of the Tourist Board of Međimurje County Rudi Grula.

The latest sustainability trends in tourism

All those gathered on the first day of the event can expect a lecture by an experienced expert in the field of sustainable tourism Kirsi Hyvaerinen which will talk about the relationship between the destination and key stakeholders through a lecture on the topic "How do we manage a sustainable destination and its stakeholders?". After that, the focus of the discussion will be a panel "Destination management: new challenges, new needs" which will bring together key stakeholders and decision makers at all levels of the tourism economy.

He will hold a lecture on the second day Ph.D. Mirela Sučić Čevra, director for Eastern and Northern Europe and member of the Management Board of one of the world's largest tourism companies, Kuoni Tumlare. dr. Sučić Čevra will present trends in sustainability in tourism through a lecture "Sustainability trends in tourism". In addition to lectures, the second day is reserved for dynamic panel discussions on the topic "Best Practices – Destination" i "Best practices - Protected areas and businesses" in which representatives of tourist boards, protected areas and tourism companies will participate.

The training event will also feature a field tour of three sustainable locations in Međimurje. The third, and also the last, day will be dedicated to workshops related to sustainable management, in which topics such as practical tools, impact and resource assessment, stakeholder mapping, and the creation of the action plan itself will be covered.

The importance of the exclusive training event in Međimurje was recognized by the Croatian Tourist Board, which is sponsoring the event, as well as by the Representation of the European Commission in Croatia. Applications for the Green Destinations Regional Training Event can be made at links.

///Ensure your place in education about the sustainable development of the destination and the gathering of stakeholders in the tourism industry

Photo source: Tourist Board of Međimurje County