The island of Cres celebrates 180 years of tourism with an award ceremony

On Wednesday, April 9, 2025, a ceremony was held at the Kimen Hotel on the island of Cres to mark the 180th anniversary of tourism on this Adriatic island. On this occasion, awards were presented to individuals, trades, companies, and institutions that have contributed to the development and promotion of tourism in Cres.

The beginnings of tourism in Cres date back to 1845, when the first organized tourists arrived by steamboat from Rijeka. Today, Cres boasts a rich tourist offer that includes natural beauty, cultural heritage, and the hospitality of the local population.

At the ceremony, awards were presented in several categories, including:

• Exceptional contribution to the development of tourism: Cresanka d.d., Stevo Filinić, Sergio Negovetić, Boris Kremenić, Drago Avram.


• Excellence in tourism: Camp Kovačine, Camp Slatina, Hotel Kimen, Pansion Tramontana Beli, Gostionica Bukaleta, Restoran Riva, Restoran Na moru, Gostionica Belona, Restoran Nonina konoba, Restoran Mareta, Restoran Koralj, ACI marina Cres, Agencija Cres Fun & More, Ruta Wool & Design Cres, Pčelarstvo Dragoslavić, PZ Cres, Slastice Margareta, Pekara Gavza, OPG Guerino Kučić, Paolina Saganić, Eta Surdić, Ljiljana Sučić, Nada Zidanšek, Milvia Grbin, Mirjana Rupčić, Karin Kučić, Creski kaić, Dani Frane Petrića, Lubeničke glazbene večeri, Memorijal Florio Burburan.


• Preservation of heritage and promotion of the destination: FD Orlec, Zajednica Talijana Cres, Zavičajna udruga Magriž Martinšćica, Udruga Ruta, Društvo Tramuntana Beli, Karnevalska udruga Vežgani, Jedriličarski klub Reful, Jasminka Ćus Rukonić, Creski muzej, Obitelj Lužina, Muzej ovčarstva Lubenice, Centar za posjetitelje Beli, Klapa Teha, ŠRD Parangal, SRK Rak, Igor Marenić, Udruga umirovljenika grada Cresa, Klapa Burin, Serđo Dlačić, Udruga Ulika, Udruga Pramenka.


• Person – the key to success: Aleksandar Dević, Andreja Malovoz, Dunja Sladić, Hosana Bakija, Frana Galjanić, Marina Ćosić, Sanja Tomić, Frane Sučić, Daniele Surdić, Franjo Sablić, Anabela Maričić Milić, Danijel Bogdanić, Ivana Matusinović, Ivan Mužić, Željko Andrić, Enis Kurtiši, Mirsada Brzac Boda, Marin Mlacović, Vera Pope.


• Special recognitions: Police Station M.Lošinj - Police Department Cres, DVD Cres, Institute for Emergency Medicine PGŽ - Cres Branch, County Port Authority Cres, Utility Services Cres - Lošinj, OTRA and LAGUR Vela Vrata.

The ceremony program was hosted by Robert Ferlin, and performances were given by Damir Kedžo, Imran Duraj, the Orlec Folklore Society, and the Burin choir. Among the guests were the envoy of the President of the Republic of Croatia Velibor Mačkić, the envoy of the Prime Minister and MINTS Robert Pende, the prefect of PGŽ Zlatko Komadina, the deputy prefect of PGŽ Marina Medarić, the mayor of the City of Cres Marin Gregorović, the director of the Cres Tourist Board Željka Stašić, representatives of the Croatian National Tourist Board Saša Popovac and the Kvarner Tourist Board Vlasta Mastrović, and numerous other guests.

This ceremony represents an important moment in the celebration of 180 years of tourism in Cres, highlighting the contribution of all who participated in the development and promotion of the island as an attractive tourist destination.