The Royal Town of Nin has once again confirmed its status as one of the leaders in Croatian sustainable tourism by joining the national project “Hrvatska prirodno tvoja” – “Croatia naturally yours”. It is a program by the Croatian National Tourist Board and the Ministry of Tourism and Sport that encourages tourist destinations across the country to plant additional trees in order to reduce the carbon footprint caused by travel, especially by guests arriving by car, and at the same time strengthen Croatia's positioning as a responsible, green tourist country. In Nin, a city with the title of European Destination of Excellence and a strong focus on sustainable development, such an initiative naturally complements existing environmental protection and thoughtful spatial management projects.

National Action for Greener Tourism

The project “Hrvatska prirodno tvoja” – “Croatia naturally yours” is conceived as a national network of local tree planting actions in tourist areas. The Croatian National Tourist Board provides financial support to destinations that apply to the public call, while local self-government units, tourist boards, and utility companies take responsibility for selecting locations, procuring and planting saplings, and their long-term care. The goal is to reduce part of the CO₂ emissions associated with tourist traffic, especially individual guest arrivals by car, but also to clearly show that tourism can be an ally, not an opponent, of climate goals.

The program is implemented over several years and in different phases, so new tree rows, landscaped green areas, shaded promenades, and parks appear in Croatian cities and municipalities from season to season. Special attention is paid to selecting indigenous or locally adapted tree species that tolerate the specific climatic conditions of a particular area well, contribute to biodiversity, and improve the quality of life for both residents and guests in the long term. In this context, Nin, with its geographical position, historical importance, and sensitive lagoon ecosystem, represents an ideal destination for this type of project.

“Croatia naturally yours” broadly aligns with wider European initiatives aimed at afforestation and the restoration of green areas, including European Union goals related to planting additional trees by 2030. Every new tree planted on the Croatian coast, including in Nin, is part of a larger mosaic – a network of cities and municipalities that want to reduce their carbon footprint, adapt to climate change, and maintain competitiveness in an increasingly demanding tourism market.

Nin as an EDEN Destination and Natural Partner of Green Initiatives

Nin is not just another small coastal town, but the cradle of Croatian statehood and one of the most intriguing cultural-historical landscapes on the Adriatic. Located on a small island in a shallow lagoon, connected to the mainland by bridges and surrounded by sandy beaches, Nin has been systematically building its identity for years as a destination that combines heritage, nature, and responsible tourism development. Precisely because of such an approach, Nin holds the EDEN label – European Destination of Excellence, which places it among European examples of good practice in sustainable tourism.

The EDEN title is awarded to smaller, less known destinations that show through their development model that it is possible to attract guests while simultaneously preserving the environment and the local way of life. In the case of Nin, this is evident in the careful management of the old town center, the preservation of the lagoon, valorization programs for medicinal mud and the saltworks, as well as the constant emphasis on authentic stories and local products. A guest who chooses accommodation in Nin increasingly looks for precisely such a destination – a place where historic churches, archaeological finds, and traditional fishing scenes naturally fit into contemporary sustainability standards.

It is natural, therefore, that Nin recognized the project “Hrvatska prirodno tvoja” – “Croatia naturally yours” as a logical continuation of the existing development strategy. Investing in green infrastructure – from tree rows to landscaped green areas – is not perceived as accompanying decoration for a tourist postcard, but as a foundation for long-term development. For visitors studying the accommodation offer in Nin and comparing destinations, this is an additional argument to choose the Nin Riviera, where the future of the space is seriously thought out.

Synergy of the City, Utility Company, and Tourist Board

In the implementation of the current phase of the project in Nin, the City of Nin, the utility company, and the Tourist Board of the City of Nin took on key roles. Just such cooperation between local self-government, operational services, and the tourism sector shows how sustainability can be implemented in practice, rather than remaining at the level of strategic documents. City services defined priority public areas where new trees have the greatest long-term urban, ecological, and visual impact, the utility company took over the operational part of planting and subsequent maintenance, while the tourist board connected the project communication-wise with the branding of the destination.

As part of this phase of the project, a total of 11 trees of the species Morus alba L. – white mulberry – were planted in the city area. It is a species that tolerates the Mediterranean climate well, creates a dense canopy and pleasant shade, and has significant aesthetic value. White mulberry is known for relatively fast growth and adaptability to different soil conditions, which is why it is often used in urban landscaping. In Nin, it was chosen as a kind of “natural ally” of public spaces – from promenades to areas along roads – where it can significantly improve the experience of staying just a few seasons after planting.

The value of the procured saplings amounts to 1,267.98 euros, and the stated amount is fully funded by the Croatian National Tourist Board. This financing model is characteristic of the project “Hrvatska prirodno tvoja” – “Croatia naturally yours”: the national level provides funds and a framework, while the local level designs and implements concrete actions on the ground. For Nin, this means that the project does not burden the city budget, but at the same time increases the quality of public areas used by both residents and guests. For a visitor who chooses an apartment or hotel in Nin, such news clearly communicates that the destination is not thinking only about one season, but decades ahead.

How One Tree Changes the Tourist Image of the City

Although at first glance one tree may seem like a symbolic contribution, at the city level, every new tree row has a measurable effect on the microclimate and quality of life. Canopies lower air temperature during summer, mitigate the effect of so-called heat islands in densely built zones, and create natural shade along promenades, children's playgrounds, and parking lots. A guest who drives to Nin and parks along tree rows will feel the difference – the vehicle heats up less, the stay is more pleasant, and the overall impression of the destination is associated with care for people's comfort and health.

Trees absorb carbon dioxide and other harmful gases resulting from the combustion of fossil fuels during growth, thereby directly participating in reducing the destination's total carbon footprint. Deciduous species, such as white mulberry, additionally filter particulate matter in the air and favorably affect noise levels, which is especially important near roads and frequent tourist zones. Their canopies let sunlight through in winter and mitigate it in summer, so in combination with smart urban planning solutions, a natural climate regulated by trees is obtained, rather than exclusively by air conditioning units.

For the tourist story about a vacation in Nin, such details are becoming increasingly important. Travelers from large urban centers are used to paved, overcrowded spaces where there is often no trace of shade in summer. Destinations that can offer them a different experience – a promenade in the shade of canopies, a park by the sea where it is pleasant to stay even in the hottest part of the day, a view of the lagoon framed by greenery – will have a clear advantage. Trees planted through the project “Hrvatska prirodno tvoja” – “Croatia naturally yours” in Nin thus become part of the city's identity, just as recognizable as historic churches or Nin's beaches.

“Map my tree” – European Map of New Trees

An important segment of the project “Hrvatska prirodno tvoja” – “Croatia naturally yours” is connecting local actions with European initiatives. Each planted sapling in Nin is marked with the project label and entered into the “Map my tree” application of the European Environment Agency. This digital platform records the locations of new trees planted across Europe, with basic data entered for each sapling – species, location, year of planting, and activity holder. The result is an interactive map that gives citizens, institutions, and tourists insight into the concrete results of climate and sustainable projects.

For Nin, as a destination that already holds the EDEN label, participation in the “Map my tree” system has a double benefit. On the one hand, local services can more easily monitor the growth and condition of each sapling, plan future interventions in green infrastructure, and react in time in case of damage or disease to the tree. On the other hand, Nin becomes visible on the European map of sustainable practices – alongside numerous other cities and municipalities that have joined similar projects. This data can be clearly communicated to the tourist market, especially to guests who, already when selecting accommodation in Nin, seek confirmation that the destination truly practices what it promises in campaigns.

When visitors, upon returning home, search for Nin in the “Map my tree” application, they will be able to precisely see where the trees they might have seen during their walk are located, compare them with other European destinations, and realize that their journey is part of a broader, pan-European effort for a greener future. Sustainable tourism thus ceases to be an abstract concept and turns into a set of concrete, measurable results – each tree is a new small victory on the path towards climate-responsible tourism.

Role of the Local Community, Schools, and Associations

Behind every planted sapling stand people who planted it or will take care of it. Therefore, the project in Nin does not remain exclusively under the jurisdiction of city services and the utility company, but is viewed as an opportunity to involve the wider community – from kindergartens and schools to citizens' associations and sports clubs. Tree planting actions are an ideal opportunity for children and young people to learn firsthand what terms like “carbon footprint”, “biodiversity”, and “climate adaptation” mean, and to experience how major topics of world politics spill over into the life of their city.

For teachers and educators, such activities are a natural upgrade to curricula in nature, biology, geography, or civic education. Instead of climate change remaining just a chapter in a textbook, children in Nin can observe “their” tree every year, record changes through the seasons, measure the height and width of the canopy, or photograph the development of a new green area. These experiences are later transferred to family conversations, and often influence travel decisions and destination choices – it is not uncommon for families to return to Nin to see how the trees their children helped plant are progressing.

Including local associations, sports clubs, and volunteers further strengthens the bond between residents and public space. In a city where tourist accommodation in Nin is one of the important sources of income, but also responsibility, such initiatives contribute to the balance between the needs of tourism and the quality of life of the local community. Trees planted through the project benefit everyone – they provide residents with a more pleasant environment for daily life, and let guests know that they are welcome in an environment that takes care of its resources.

Sustainable Tourism as a Competitive Advantage of the Nin Riviera

Tourist demand has been changing in recent years towards greater sensitivity to sustainability. More and more guests investigate when choosing a destination whether there is public transport, whether walking or cycling is encouraged, how natural and cultural heritage is protected, and what the attitude towards the environment is during the peak season. Nin and the Nin Riviera occupy a specific position here: they are sufficiently recognizable and visited, but still retain a measure, human scale, and recognizable local rhythm of life.

Participation in the project “Hrvatska prirodno tvoja” – “Croatia naturally yours” complements existing initiatives in the city, from arranging pedestrian and bicycle paths to promoting local products and tradition in gastronomy and events. A guest booking an apartment, campsite, or hotel in Nin today increasingly expects information about local ecological projects, the possibility of renting a bicycle, recommendations for car-free excursions, or at least clear messages that the destination does not sacrifice its natural values for short-term profit. Nin's tree planting actions are a concrete answer to such expectations.

At the branding level, Nin further solidifies the image of a “royal, but also green city” with this project – a place where stories about the first Croatian kings and small churches on the coast overlap with very modern climate and sustainable policies. When the EDEN destination status and multi-year investment in sustainable development are added to this, it is clear that Nin targets guests who appreciate authenticity, respect for the local community, and a responsible attitude towards the environment. Precisely these guests most often stay longer, spend more in the local economy, and have a habit of returning to destinations where they feel included in the story.

Example of Good Practice for Other Croatian Destinations

The experience of the Royal Town of Nin shows that projects like “Hrvatska prirodno tvoja” – “Croatia naturally yours” come to life best where there is a clear vision of development and readiness for cooperation of all stakeholders. A model in which the national level provides financial resources and a framework, and the local level decides where and how to plant, can be an inspiration for other Croatian destinations – especially smaller cities and municipalities that may not have the possibility of large infrastructure investments, but can relatively easily raise the quality of space by planting trees.

Additional value of the project lies in the fact that its results can be easily communicated to the public. The number of planted trees, the amount of funds provided by the Croatian National Tourist Board, inclusion in the “Map my tree” application, and photos of arranged green areas along promenades or town squares are contents that fit very well into websites, social networks, and promotional materials. When a potential guest is considering several destinations and studying the accommodation offer in Nin, precisely such concrete examples of sustainable policies can tip the scales in favor of the Nin Riviera.

For Croatian tourism as a whole, expanding the network of cities and municipalities involved in the project “Hrvatska prirodno tvoja” – “Croatia naturally yours” also means strengthening the common brand of a country that takes climate challenges seriously. Nin, as a royal town with the EDEN title, is one of the most recognizable points in that mosaic – a place where history, the sea, and green policies meet in everyday practice, from strategic documents to new canopies that will provide shade for generations of residents and guests.