The Croatian National Tourist Board (HTZ) has announced a series of public tenders for projects that will be implemented in 2025, aimed at tourist areas that are insufficiently developed and continental Croatia. These tenders provide an opportunity for financing projects that will help promote and develop tourism in less developed parts of the country, thereby aiming to raise the quality of the tourist offer and attract new visitors.

The tenders are open until December 15, 2024, and include two funds - the Fund for Insufficiently Developed Tourist Areas and the Continent and the Fund for Associated Tourist Boards. The goal of these funds is to support the development of projects that promote Croatia as a diverse tourist destination and strengthen its presence on the international tourism scene. It is expected that the projects will contribute not only to an increase in the number of tourists in Croatia but also to the extension of the tourist season, with a particular emphasis on periods outside the main season.

According to Kristjan Staničić, director of HTZ, the allocation of funds will enable destinations to better manage the development of tourist products and increase visibility through promotional activities in domestic and foreign markets. “These funds represent an important step in further strengthening Croatia's tourist offer, especially in those areas that have not yet been sufficiently recognized as attractive destinations,” emphasized Staničić. He stressed that HTZ will continue to support projects that promote sustainability and diversification of the tourist offer, focusing on rural and continental parts of the country.

Eligible activities include a wide range of projects, such as research and strategic planning, the development of new tourist products, campaigns for the promotion of destinations, as well as destination management projects and those financed by EU funds. Investing in strategic planning and development will enable local and regional tourist boards to improve their offerings and attract a larger number of visitors throughout the year.

Recipients of funds from the Fund for Insufficiently Developed Tourist Areas and the Continent are regional tourist boards whose tourist development index is below 20, according to data from the Institute for Tourism from 2023. On the other hand, the Fund for Associated Tourist Boards is intended for local and regional tourist boards that operate as destination management organizations and are mutually associated or with units of local self-government. Such cooperation enables a stronger synergy among various tourism stakeholders at the national level.

Projects are submitted through the HTZ eApplications system, while accompanying documentation is sent electronically to the address specified in the tender text. Interested tourist boards can expect financing for projects that include the development of thematic trails, the production of promotional materials, the education of tourism stakeholders, and the research and development of new models of sustainable tourism.

Last year, HTZ approved nearly 5.8 million euros for projects of regional and local tourist boards in insufficiently developed areas and the continent, while about 2.6 million euros was allocated for projects of associated tourist boards. This financial support has resulted in successful implementations of numerous projects, including the promotion of rural tourism, eno-gastronomy, cycling tourism, and the improvement of destination management systems through standardization and marking of tourism advantages.