May 4, 2018 – Istria is becoming more popular among visitors from Great Britain and the US
Two reputable publications came out with features dedicated to Istria, one of Croatia’s tourism champions. The lifestyle magazine Forbes paid a tribute to the gorgeous peninsula as part of a travel feature titled ‘The Next Great Destinations: 8 Places to Beat the Crowds This Summer’. Devised as a list of alternative suggestions to most popular destinations in selected countries, the piece proposes a visit to Istria instead of Dubrovnik: “The tourist capital of Croatia can be swarmed with tourists from six cruise ships at once, so it’s better to head elsewhere”, they state.
A rare example of a travel feature pointing visitors to central Istria instead of the more popular coastal towns, the piece cites the award-winning olive oils, wines and truffles as the leading reasons to head inland. Anything else apart from the gourmet delights? “Visiting hidden medieval towns like Groznjan overlooking the Mirna Valley, a town with 68 art galleries and ateliers, Zavrsje (the best example of medieval architecture of Istria) and Bale, a stone town with a naive art gallery and art park with works from one of the most famous Croatian sculptures, Dusan Dzamonja. The whole region also offers fantastic possibilities for active vacation, including biking, hiking and horseback riding”. It’s not every day you get to see Završje and Bale mentioned in a travel piece. A long-awaited and well-deserved nod to some often overlooked gems – read the entire piece here.
Then there’s Luxury Travel Magazine and a piece dedicated to the darling region exclusively. ‘Istria, Croatia’s Undiscovered Jewel’, says the title – a somewhat debatable statement, as the number of visitors doesn’t exactly speak of an undiscovered destination, but a jewel it is indeed. As LTM states, Istria houses “three of Croatia’s most attractive coastal towns in Pula, Rovinj and Poreč”, all three showered with words of praise. A nod to Pula’s ancient architecture and vibrant atmosphere, followed with a short tribute to Rovinj, “perhaps Croatia’s most picturesque coastal destination”, and Poreč, home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Same as Forbes, LTM also looks inland with a mention of Motovun and Hum, two charming historic towns, the latter known for its title of the smallest town in the world.
And of course, more love for Istria’s famous gastronomic trifecta mentioned above. “With over 100 quality wine makers spread throughout this small peninsula, even the locals are spoilt for choice. Reflecting both the diverse climate and soil on which they are grown, these phenomenal wines have a range of native grape varieties, including the most famous; Istrian Malvasia. And in addition to being award winning, wine cellars are usually a family business each with their own unique story rooted in tradition and history they invite their guests to discover”, writes LTM. Read the full article here.
According to Glas Istre, Director of Istria Tourist Board Denis Ivošević explained the two pieces come as a result of their strategy that means to solidify Istria’s position on the UK market. At the moment, Istria is looking to attract more visitors from Britain and the US, so this latest marketing campaign aims to position Istria as an attractive destination, especially among potential visitors who haven’t yet heard of the stunning peninsula. The number of British guests is already on the rise, and with six airlines connecting Great Britain and Pula, things are only looking up.
Photo credit: Romulić and Stojčić
