As part of the Interreg VI-A Slovenia–Croatia InterWine Project , a motivational workshop focused on developing the region as a wine tourism destination was held in Pušća. The workshop focused on connecting local tourism offerings and creating new wine and gastronomy experiences that bring together wine, gastronomy, cultural heritage and the unique stories of the region.
Hosted at the InterWine Centre in Pušća, the event brought together representatives of the tourism sector, winemakers, local producers, destination stakeholders and everyone contributing to the development of authentic tourism experiences. Through discussion and the exchange of ideas, participants emphasised that a successful wine destination is built not only on exceptional wines, but also on the people who tell its stories, preserve its traditions and enable visitors to experience the place where each product originates.
The workshop focused on integrating wine with other key elements of the local offer, including gastronomy, cultural heritage, and authentic experiences that help visitors gain a deeper understanding of the destination. Particular emphasis was placed on the importance of collaboration, highlighting that it is through the joint efforts of winemakers, hospitality providers, tourism organisations and local communities that tourism products with strong market potential are created.
Ivana Alilović, Director of the Zagreb County Tourist Board, underlined the importance of involving local stakeholders in the development of sustainable tourism products:
"Pušća is an excellent example of a place where a rich winemaking tradition, local products and outstanding natural resources can be combined into a compelling tourism story. Through the InterWine project, we aim to empower local stakeholders further and encourage the development of experiences that allow visitors to discover the authenticity of this region—from its vineyards and wines to the people whose dedication preserves and shapes its unique identity," said Ivana Alilović.
Following the motivational workshop, the project continued with the educational programme "The Importance of Promoting Wine Tourism", held on 17 and 18 June in Pušća. The programme provided participants with additional knowledge on promoting wine destinations, linking wine with local identity and creating high-quality wine and gastronomy experiences for visitors.
The project: InterWine is implemented in partnership with the Zagreb County Tourist Board as the lead partner, together with the City of Velika Gorica, the Municipality of Pušća, ZPTM Brežice, the Posavje Museum Brežice, the University of Maribor – Faculty of Tourism, and the Crafts Training Institution. Together, the partners are developing a cross-border network of InterWine centres and tourism experiences aimed at strengthening the wine and gastronomy offer of both Croatia and Slovenia.
The project is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the Interreg VI-A Slovenia–Croatia Programme..
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