Turistička zajednica Zagrebačke županije i Turistička zajednica Karlovačke županije potpisale su Sporazum o suradnji kojim projekt From Soil to Signature dobiva međuregionalnu dimenziju. Sporazum su potpisali Ivana Alilović, direktorica Turističke zajednice Zagrebačke županije, i Željko Fanjak, direktor Turističke zajednice Karlovačke županije.
Projekt Turističke zajednice Zagrebačke županije, From Soil to Signature , počiva na eno-gastronomskim vrijednostima lokalnih proizvođača, vinara i restorana čija je ponuda neodvojiva od prostora iz kojeg potječe. Suradnjom s Turističkom zajednicom Karlovačke županije projekt otvara mogućnost zajedničkog nastupa dviju kontinentalnih županija na domaćem i međunarodnom tržištu, uz razmjenu resursa, sadržaja i komunikacijskih kanala prema publici koja gastronomiju doživljava kao važan motiv putovanja.
Ivana Alilović, Director of the Zagreb County Tourist Board, highlighted that the project emerged from the need to connect the destination’s existing quality offer more effectively and present it more clearly to the market. “From Soil to Signature is not a project that merely creates new value; it is a platform that clearly positions the very best that continental Croatia already has to offer. Zagreb County possesses the quality, people, expertise and products capable of competing with the most relevant wine and gastronomy destinations. Still, these strengths need to be strategically connected and more strongly presented to the market. This is precisely why our cooperation with Karlovac County carries additional value for us. It demonstrates that continental tourism can build recognition through authenticity, partnerships and experiences that arise organically from the destination itself rather than from trends. We believe that this approach is what ultimately creates a competitive and internationally relevant destination,” said Alilović.
A similar perspective on cooperation was emphasised by Željko Fanjak, Director of the Karlovac County Tourist Board, who noted that continental destinations can strengthen their positioning precisely through the qualities that make them distinctive. “Continental tourism should build its strength on what sets it apart: its landscape, local production, gastronomy and the people who lend authenticity to the experience. Zagreb and Karlovac Counties share exactly this foundation, each with its own unique characteristics, yet with a very similar development direction. This cooperation is particularly valuable because it places existing quality within a broader framework and transforms it into a recognisable tourism product,” said Fanjak.
The project has also received support from the Croatian National Tourist Board, which included it in its co-financing programme through the Fund for Tourism Underdeveloped Areas and Continental Tourism. A total of EUR 300,000 has been allocated to implement the Sustainable AgriGastro Innovation Hub – From Soil to Signature project.
One of the concrete steps in implementing the project will be a joint presentation in the Gault&Millau Croatia 2026 guide. For restaurants and producers from continental countries, such visibility represents inclusion within a gastronomic context, followed by industry professionals, journalists and travellers who choose destinations based on the quality of the culinary experience.
The importance of professional recognition of quality was further emphasised by Ingrid Badurina Danielsson, Director of Gault&Millau Croatia. “Guides such as Gault&Millau do not merely follow what is already recognised; they also have a responsibility to identify quality where it is not yet sufficiently visible. Continental Croatia has long been underestimated in gastronomic terms, but this is changing. We are seeing restaurants operating with serious intent, a clear philosophy and a deep understanding of local ingredients. These are precisely the kinds of establishments that deserve to be included in the guide,” said Badurina Danielsson.
Ovakav pristup u praksi dobro ilustrira Bruno Ceronja, predstavnik restorana Mon Ami iz Velike Gorice, jednog od restorana koji je Zagrebačku županiju upisao na relevantne gastronomske karte. Mon Ami je uvršten u Michelinov vodič, prepoznat u vodiču Gault&Millau Croatia te se nalazi među 100 vodećih hrvatskih restorana. Njegovo iskustvo potvrđuje temeljnu premisu projekta: da eno-gastronomski turizam raste na dosljednoj kvaliteti, promišljenom odnosu prema namirnici i gostu te ukorijenjenosti u lokalni prostor.
The From Soil to Signature project will continue by including local stakeholders and developing content that directly connects gastronomy, wine, restaurants, and producers with the destination itself. The agreement with the Karlovac County Tourist Board broadens this framework and establishes the foundation for a systematic and joint presentation of continental Croatia’s wine and gastronomy offer.
EN 
HR 
DE 
