Announced panel discussion on connecting short supply chains in tourism and Gastro show in Vinkovci 

The initial conference of the project was held today at Šokački Stan PannEx Reload within the Interreg IPA cross-border cooperation program Croatia - Serbia 2014-2020.

The PannEx Reload project will further capitalize on the results developed as part of the project PannoniaGourmet, with the aim of better positioning the cross-border area as an authentic gastro-tourism destination. The activities carried out within the framework of this project will maximize the previously achieved results, especially on the momentum already gained by the existing ICT platform of the EatPannonia brand and the held Gourmet Fair events.

At the press conference, the deputy spoke about the significance of the project the mayor of Vinkovci, Josip Romić, director of the Development and Investment Agency of the City of Vinkovci VIA doo Danijela Slipčević, project manager Marina Hodak Domaćinović i Goran Rihelj tourism consultant and editor-in-chief of the HrTurizam portal.

"When a guest who has never been to our region decides to visit Slavonia, he will most often be guided by the thought of a beautiful plain, golden fields and centuries-old oak forests. Heading towards our Vinkovci, they will think about the oldest European city, the Roman emperors and the Vinkovci Autumns. But perhaps the most impressive first thought for every traveler heading towards the easternmost part of our country is actually the traditional Slavonian cuisine and the widely known Slavonian hospitality. We want to further refine these two values ​​and present them to the world in a different, more studious and tourism specific way, and the Pannonia Gourmet project and now its kind of continuation in the form of the PannEx Reload project are positive examples and guidelines of such efforts. I wish everyone who is part of this project in any way the best of luck in achieving all the set goals and I look forward to seeing, I believe, the great results of their work soon.", said the deputy mayor of Vinkovci Josip Romić.

The expected results of the Project will be an increased number of tourist arrivals and overnight stays, as well as an increase in the number of visitors, using digital technologies in the promotion of developed tourist products and the created Gourmet offer. Added value for selected areas and target groups is the establishment of an innovative environment for the provision of gourmet tourism services. This includes a fully digital, environmentally friendly and efficient system for interaction, representation and business improvement in the sector. 

"The goal of the project is to maximize the reach to the general public, i.e. end consumers. In this way, Eat Pannonia partners will have more tools at their disposal for advertising, exhibiting, presenting and ultimately selling their products and services. Also through the project, the created Gourmet offer will be promoted, and the cross-border region will be better presented to the general public in terms of tourist attractiveness",  director of the Development and Investment Agency of the City of Vinkovci VIA doo Danijela Slipčević

"The value of the project is EUR 239.998,83, of which 85% is co-financed by the European Union. In addition to the City of Vinkovce, the partners of the project are the Agency for Development and Investments of the City of Vinkovce VIA, and Educons University from Sremska Kamenica. The cross-border area is homogeneous geographically, as well as economically and socially - mainly a rural lowland area with unused tourist potential, so the partners recognized tourism as a key economic branch that can significantly contribute to the development of the area." pointed out the project manager Marina Hodak Domaćinović.

September 27 and 28, 2023 at Šokački Stan an expert conference on the importance of connecting short supply chains in tourism will be held, in which he will participate, among others Michelin chef Goran Kočiš who, after ten years, brought the long-dreamed-of Michelin star to continental gastronomy in Croatia with his Noel project.

In search of new challenges, the eminent chef returned to Slavonia, where he delights guests with his gastronomic endeavors. Goran's new project includes strengthening the tourism and gastronomic offer of Slavonia.

"As part of the professional conference, in addition to a series of lectures, a panel discussion will be held in which project partners, local food and beverage producers, and representatives of Vinkovci Vocational High School, which was recently declared the best vocational school in Croatia, will participate. There will also be a Gastro show hosted by the famous Croatian influencer Domagoj Jakopović - Ribafish, as well as an appropriate fair of eno and gastro offers from the project's partners., announced tourism consultant Goran Rihelj.