Three tourist destinations in the eastern region of Zagreb County—the towns of St. Ivan Zelina, Dugo Selo, and Vrbovec—have collaboratively endeavoured to harness and develop the significant potential of outdoor tourism within their area.
Over the past two years, with the backing of the Croatian Tourist Board and the Zagreb County Tourist Board, as well as collaboration with SPOT agency—experts in developing innovative and sustainable destinations—a variety of initiatives have been launched to enhance the region's introductory tourist offerings. This effort focuses on outdoor tourism, particularly cycling. The area’s gentle yet varied landscape, coupled with a well-connected network of local roads and paths, along with numerous historical and cultural attractions, creates ample opportunities for designing engaging cycling tourism products.
During the project, new cycling tourism routes were developed and mapped. The most notable of these is a destination route that connects the three city centers of the region. Additionally, promotional photos were taken, a modern visual identity was created, and a digital map of the cycling routes was produced. As a highlight of the project, a contemporary and attractive orientation and interpretation system was designed, which was implemented as a pilot activity to mark a circular destination route.
Interpretation boards have been expertly crafted to align with the destination's newly established visual identity and strategically positioned at five key locations along the route in Dugo Selo, St. Ivan Zelina, and Vrbovec. This initiative significantly elevates the value of the region’s burgeoning cycling tourism offerings.
The outdoor offer development project is scheduled to continue in 2025, with an emphasis on enhancing content, marketing strategies, and promotional infrastructure. Additionally, the project will engage with local stakeholders to maximize the outdoor potential of this region within Zagreb County.
Marinka Zubčić Mubrin, Director of the Tourist Board of the City of St. Ivan Zelina, Project Coordinator, stated: "Our future initiatives will undoubtedly focus on fostering collaboration among three tourist communities, with a strong emphasis on preserving authenticity, ensuring environmental responsibility, fostering innovation, and promoting a culture of quality enhancement. These principles will be vital for achieving successful and sustainable tourism development in our cities. We aim to attract adventurers and nature enthusiasts through active tourism activities like hiking, cycling, fishing, and other sports. Integrating new technologies will facilitate guest experiences and enhance the promotion of our destinations; therefore, our activities must be tailored to meet the specific preferences of targeted audiences."
Jasna Benedik, Director of the Tourist Board of the City of Vrbovec, stated, "The collaboration among the three tourist boards in the eastern region of Zagreb County is designed to foster the development of new components of the tourist offering in this area, with a particular emphasis on outdoor tourism. The proximity of Zagreb, as the largest market for tourism promotion, presents a unique opportunity for advancing tourism initiatives such as cycling tourism. This collaborative effort will facilitate the achievement of established objectives and enhance the comprehensive promotion of tourism in this segment of the county. This project exemplifies a partnership that has the potential to yield substantial advancements in tourism and further the development of outdoor tourism across these three destinations while simultaneously encouraging other tourist communities to establish similar alliances."
Karmela Vukov-Colić, Director of the Dugo Selo Tourist Board, stated, "This collaborative initiative serves as an exemplary model of cooperation among three neighboring municipalities, enhancing the collective outdoor tourism offerings of our cities. It represents a significant progression of the active tourism products that the Dugo Selo Tourist Board has developed in recent years. We are pleased to announce that, in addition to the largest pump track training facility, the highly regarded self-guided Long Village Fitness Walk, and the established cycling routes, visitors will now have the opportunity to explore the diverse attractions of the Dugo Selo, Zelina, and Vrbovec regions through this integrated project."
Ivana Alilović, Director of the Zagreb County Tourist Board, stated: "The development of outdoor offerings in the municipalities of St. Ivan Zelina, Dugo Selo, and Vrbovec serves as an exemplary model of how collaborative efforts can generate additional value for the entire region. The Tourist Board of Zagreb County is pleased to endorse this initiative, recognizing its potential to create appealing cycle tourism opportunities and to reinforce our county’s status as a sustainable tourist destination. In an era when travelers seek active and authentic experiences, projects such as this showcase the natural, cultural, and historical attributes of our region. The proximity to Zagreb, combined with the rich heritage found in this area, facilitates the growth of an offering that appeals to contemporary tourists. Furthermore, the collaboration among local communities is vital for the successful achievement of our objectives. I am encouraged that this project integrates modern digital solutions, prioritizes sustainability, and engages local stakeholders. I am confident that the cooperative efforts of these municipalities will yield benefits not only for tourism but also for the local community. The Zagreb County Tourist Board will continue to support initiatives that enrich our offerings and uphold our cultural heritage."
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