At the 5th coordination of the Tourist Board of the Zagreb County with the local Tourist Board in Sveta Nedelja, the meeting began with a reflection on the importance of the end of the year and the successes achieved. Global trends from the UNWTO's World Tourism Barometer 2024 indicated a significant recovery in tourism, with a focus on regions such as the Middle East, which recorded 36% more arrivals than in 2019, and Europe, which for the first time surpassed pre-pandemic figures with as many as 120 million tourists.
The discussion also addressed aligning local tourism strategies with the current legal framework, encompassing reception capacity regulations, sustainability, and destination planning. These documents mandate data collection regarding visitors, infrastructure capacity, and environmental constraints, with the objective of determining the maximum visitor capacity for each destination. Emphasis was placed on the engagement of the local community and all relevant stakeholders in the decision-making process and in the formulation of plans aimed at alleviating seasonal congestion by promoting activities during the off-peak season.
The challenges associated with overlapping events have been identified as a factor that can lead to a division of visitors and a subsequent reduction in overall attendance. To address these issues, it is recommended that event organisers enhance their coordination efforts, develop a unified events calendar, and leverage technology to optimise visitor arrival planning. Additionally, local authorities are contemplating the implementation of incentives for events scheduled outside of the peak tourist seasons. This approach aims to balance attendance levels and promote sustainable tourism development.
The meeting highlighted the crucial role of ongoing education for local stakeholders in effectively planning and managing sustainable tourism. Participants were briefed on upcoming educational initiatives, including collaborations with the Vocational School in Zagreb. These programs focus on organising events, showcasing heritage through storytelling, and leveraging technology to enhance innovative destination management.
The programs address critical subjects, including developing innovative tourism products, market analysis, and integrating diverse sectors. They equip participants with the practical skills necessary to enhance the quality of the destination. Consistent monitoring and evaluation of tourism impacts will facilitate improved adaptation to market demands and enhance local service quality. This, in turn, will contribute to the long-term competitiveness of Zagreb County as a sustainable destination.
Direktorica TZ Zagrebačke županije gđa Alilović upoznala je sve nazočne sa procesom izrade plana upravljanja destinacijom i navela kako je prvi korak okupljanje ključnih dionika od strane TZ Zagrebačke županije.
Sukladno regulatornom okviru, kao i Smjernicama i uputama za izradu plana upravljanja destinacijom, gđa Alilović je naglasila kako su u izradu Plana upravljanja na različite načine uključeni sljedeći ključni dionici razvoja održive destinacije: lokalne i regionalne vlasti, lokalne turističke zajednice, privatni sektor, lokalno stanovništvo, nevladine organizacije i stručnjaci uz obvezu navođenja svih dionika u samom Planu upravljanja i načinu njihovog doprinosa.
Gđa Alilović je također naglasila kako je prva izrada plana upravljanja destinacijom nužna od strane regionalne turističke zajednice te se na koordinaciji svima dala smjernica da se samostalno ne izrađuju planovi upravljanja prije nego što TZ Zagrebačke županije ne izradi svoj te navela kako je pokrenut proces izrade.
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