New agreements signed during an official visit of the UN Tourism Secretary-General to the country include the cooperation with the newly established Research Centre for Sustainable Tourism at the University of Zagreb, which will serve as a knowledge hub for research and policy development, and the organisation of a Sustainable Tourism Awards.
In line with the UN Statistical Framework on Measuring the Sustainability of Tourism, the Centre will track the environmental, social and economic impacts of tourism to guide public and private sector action.
The Sustainable Tourism Awards, which will be launched in Croatia later this year, represent an additional recognition for destinations across the country. The initiative complements Croatia’s broader ambition to transform destinations and the national tourism model, responding proactively to external pressures while staying focused on long-term community benefits. Croatia has undertaken enormous efforts in recent years, including through new legislation, to invest in smart, inclusive and long-term tourism policies that prioritise local well-being, economic resilience and cultural heritage protection.
