On Tuesday, 7 July 2026, the Zagreb County Tourist Board presented the Zagreb County Rose Award for the fourth time at the Entrepreneurship Incubator in Velika Gorica. The annual award celebrates excellence in tourism. From a record 75 applications across eight categories, tourism professionals and projects were recognised for their work, services and initiatives that enhance the quality of Zagreb County’s tourism offer. A performance from Niko Stepanić, a baritone from Velika Gorica and national singing champion, further enriched the ceremony.
People at the Heart of Tourism—and of This Award
„“In tourism, the loudest conversations are often about figures: arrivals, overnight stays and revenue. But destinations are not built by numbers. People build them: those who rise before dawn so that guests can find fresh bread and a warm welcome; those who have tended vines on the slopes of Plešivica for years; and those who turn one good idea into an event that brings visitors back the following year. I created the Zagreb County Rose Award precisely for them, because tourism is a feeling“, said Ivana Alilović, Director of the Zagreb County Tourist Board..
25 Awards Across Eight Categories
In the Innovative Products and Services category, awards went to the Antolčić family beekeeping business from Velika Gorica, which has preserved its craft through four generations, and the Antoljak Family Farm Farm from Sveta Nedelja, recognised for its award-winning pumpkin seed oil produced using traditional methods. In the Best Event category, awards were presented to Bučijada Ivanić-Grad, Croatia’s largest gastronomic event dedicated to pumpkins, and Rosé & Raspberries, an eno-gastronomic event in Zaprešić that brings together rosé wines and locally grown raspberries.
In the Wine and Gastronomy Tourism category, awards were presented to Brigljević Craft Distillery, one of the oldest family-run boutique distilleries that combines Turopolje tradition with sustainable business practices, and to Braje Excursion Site and Wine House in the heart of Plešivica. In the Sustainable Tourism category, recognition went to the Trail of Life in Pušća, a sacred walking trail and public park, and Tomac Winery from Jastrebarsko, with more than two centuries of tradition and a pioneering role in sparkling wine production.
The Digital Innovation in Tourism category featured the the Hrvatska divlja ecological platform and its Samobor Gromotulja initiative , as well as the interactive quizzes developed by the Ivanić-Grad Tourist Board.In the Socially Responsible Entrepreneurship category, awards went to IGO-MAT, known for its Samobor Salami, and Rajska d.o.o. from Sveta Nedelja, a leading producer of mini tomatoes with a strong focus on environmental sustainability.
In the Tourism Professionals and Related Activities category, awards were presented to pastry chef Dalia Pažić, the creative force behind the D’Cake patisserie in Ivanić-Grad, and Zlata Krznarić, a long-standing volunteer and guardian of Turopolje heritage. In the Accommodation Facilities category, awards went to Javor Holiday House, an authentic home in the heart of Žumberak, and Vikendica Bobica , located above the Kupa River and known for its seasonally decorated, fairytale-like setting.
Special Recognition Presented to Well-Known Recipients
A series of special recognitions, awarded outside the formal categories but firmly within the spirit of excellence, honoured commendable projects, prominent figures from tourism and public life, accommodation facilities and events. One of the awards was presented to the renovated Šumarica Educational Walking Trail project, implemented with a donation from Lidl Croatia.
“This recognition gives us great satisfaction and confirms that socially responsible business can have a genuine and lasting impact when it responds to the needs of the local community. The renovation of the Šumarica Educational Walking Trail is particularly meaningful to us because it combines nature conservation, education and encourages families to spend active time outdoors,” representatives of Lidl Croatia said.
Among the recipients of special recognition were Chop Old House Hotel, vinary Dobra Berba, the newly opened The Spot tourist resort, the Šember Agricultural Estatethe anniversary of 200th Samobor Carnival , as well as prominent individuals including journalist Hassan Haidar Diab, travel blogger and photographer Domagoj Sever and Milica Birk from Naftalan Special Hospital.
„Through my long-standing work in the development of health tourism, I have sought to contribute to the growth of tourism in my town and county, which are becoming increasingly recognised as a destination in continental Croatia. I want to thank everyone who has recognised my contribution to the sustainable development of tourism in our region“, said Milica Birk, Assistant Director for Health Tourism at Naftalan Special Hospital..
This year’s edition of the Zagreb County Rose Award has confirmed its status as a recognised platform for excellence—an award that brings together an increasing number of people, projects and ideas each year, all contributing to making Zagreb County an even better destination. We extend our gratitude to all award winners, applicants and partners who made this ceremony a true celebration of tourism in Zagreb County. With pride, we are already announcing the fifth edition of the award, confident that next year will once again show how the green heart of continental Croatia continues to beat ever more strongly.
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