As part of the Croatian Tourism Days event at the Sheraton Hotel in Dubrovnik, 22 annual tourist awards were given to individuals who have shown their work and results and deserved the award for raising the quality of service and hospitality. In addition, four annual awards were also presented – special recognition for exceptional contribution to the 2021 tourist year and a lifetime achievement award, reports Dubrovacki Vjessnik.
The Minister of Tourism and Sports, Nikolina Brnjac, congratulated the tourist workers of the year and commented on the successful tourist season that few expected. She mentioned the importance of the Safe Stay in Croatia project and enabling the vaccination of tourists, which have contributed to the success of the season.
TCN even had a productive chat with the Tourism Minister
“We are satisfied with the tourist results, with fewer arrivals and more overnight stays and higher fiscal bills,” said the Minister and mentioned that intensive work is being done on the success of the next tourist season in the direction of sustainable year-round tourism.
The director of the Croatian Tourist Board, Kristjan Staničić, sees the reasons for successful tourism achievements in the good preparation for the season and the critical decisions of the Government, and mostly the synergy of everyone involved.
“A whole series of marketing campaigns that focused our attention on Croatia paid off,” said the leading man of the Croatian Tourist Board, commenting on the excellent tourist results. He said the next direction is sustainable tourism, adding that he believes that Croatia will be one of the top destinations in the Mediterranean in the coming years.
Prime Minister Andrej Plenković congratulated the winners and their contribution to the success of the tourist season, as well as all tourism workers who gave their all this season in the challenging pandemic times. He said that we could be satisfied with the achieved 75 percent of the record 2019 and added that it is the result of the collective effort of all Government sectors.
“Huge challenges faced the economy and tourism sector, and in 2021 we showed strength, work, effort, toughness, and quality preparation for the season. This was a collective effort and a great synergy of both the state and all employees in the tourism sector. The results have contributed to a significant recovery of the Croatian economy,” said Prime Minister Plenković.
The President of the Croatian Chamber of Commerce, Luka Burilović, also congratulated the winners. In addition to Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, the award ceremony was attended by government ministers, including Minister of Finance Zdravko Marić, President of the European Commission for Demography and Democracy Dubravka Šuica, Dubrovnik-Neretva County Prefect Nikola Dobroslavić, Dubrovnik Mayor Mato Franković, and numerous guests. The traditional meeting of tourist workers and all stakeholders in the Croatian tourism system was organized by the Ministry of Tourism, the Croatian National Tourist Board, and the Croatian Chamber of Commerce.
2021 Awards:
In the category of agency employees: Ines Poljak Aritonović, director of the travel agency LT Konture d.o.o. from Kašina
In the category of tour guides: Lidija Begić, the owner of the Tourist Craft Lilipa from Dubrovnik and a tourist guide
In the category of tourism sales and marketing employees: Hrvoje Anić, director of sales and marketing at Han 2020 d.o.o., heritage hotel Maškovića Han in Pakoštane
In the category of tourist animators: Ana Maričić, a tourist animator at the Valamar Meteor Hotel in Makarska.
In the category of reception staff: Mira Fabo, a receptionist at San Marino Sunny Resort by Valamar in Rab
The best waiter: Anđelko Duvančić, waiter and manager of a small family hotel Rotondo in Trogir
The best cook: Snježana Jokić, a cook at the Lišanj Hotel in Novi Vinodolski
In the category of hotel household employees: Ana Bilić, host of the Sheraton Dubrovnik Riviera Hotel in Mlini
In the category of household catering services: Igor Salak, owner of luxury holiday homes Montis Aurea – Luxury villas Zlatne planine in Novi Zvečevo
In the category of tourist farm host: Tatjana Balja, owner of the family farm Balja from Garešnica
The best police officer: Zoran Škoro, a police officer for road safety and prevention at the Crikvenica Police Station
The best firefighter: Dino Kozlevac, Commander of the Istrian County Fire Brigade and Chief of the Istrian County Civil Protection HQ
The best employee in maritime transport: Aleks Banić, a sailor at the Isabella Valamar Collection Island Resort in Poreč
The best employee in air transport: Marija Budeš, head of the operations center at Zadar Airport
The best employee in road transport: Dragan Koruga, owner and driver of ZOO-Mobil d.o.o. from Zagreb
The best saleswoman: Nevenka Kovilić, a saleswoman of traditional Skradin agricultural products at Krka National Park, OPG Nevenka Kovilić
The best male lifeguard at the beaches and swimming pools: Luka Žunić, a student and lifeguard on the Kolovare beach in Zadar, while the best female lifeguard is Nikolina Dukić, a lifeguard on the Kolovare beach in Zadar.
The best employee in health tourism (medical, spa, wellness): Primarius Vlasta Brozičević, MD. spec. of physical medicine and rehabilitation, rheumatology Head of the department of the Terme Polyclinic in Selce and Rijeka, Poliklinika Terme d.o.o.
The best marina employee: Filip Koljančić, a sailor on duty at Marina Veruda in Pula
The best nautical charter employe: Marko Džolić, commander of the yacht “Maske,” Wind Rose & Sailing d.o.o. from Kaštel Kambelovac
The best shipping employee: Ivana Tomljanović, boat manager and skipper of “Lord” from Crikvenica
The annual award “Anton Štifanić” in the category “company, institution or association”: Public Institution Nature Park Biokovo
The annual award “Anton Štifanić” in the category “individual”: Goran Rihelj, owner and editor-in-chief of the portal HrTurizam.hr and Turisticke price
The Lifetime Achievement Award: Dr. Miroslav Dragičević, owner and director of Miros Consulting d.o.o.
Special recognition for the exceptional contribution to the 2021 tourist year went to the Croatian Mountain Rescue Service, Ministry of the Interior – Directorate of Civil Protection.
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