Programme

PRELIMINARY PROGRAMME

Wednesday, May 6, 2026

15:00 – 18:30 Arrival and registration

18:30 – 19:00 Gathering of guests

19:00 – 20:30 Formal opening of the Congress and award ceremony for the best young farmer

Introductory greetings
Opening of the Congress
Formal award ceremony for the best young farmer of 2026
Cultural and artistic program

20:30 – 22:00 Reception

Thursday, May 7, 2026

09:00 – 09:30 Gathering of participants and introductory remarks

09:30 – 11:00 Keynote lectures

Mobility challenges in tourism under global crisis conditions (Maja Bakran Marcich)
GSTC standards, a guide for sustainable and regenerative rural tourism
From authenticity to brand – how rural tourism shapes Croatia's new image
Integral development of rural Kvarner – from a green vision to the European Region of Gastronomy
Smart solutions for authentic experiences – artificial intelligence in the service of regenerative rural tourism

11:00 – 11:30 Special Interview: How European policies can change our countryside

11:30 – 12:00 Refreshment break

12:00 – 12:30 Ministerial Dialogue: Connecting sectors to strengthen rural tourism

12:30 – 13:30 Panel discussion: Young farmers for a sustainable future of the countryside and the authenticity of rural tourism

13:30 – 14:00 Local Policy Makers Dialogue: Synergy of local and regional government in creating sustainable rural destinations

14:00 – 15:00 Working lunch

15:15 – 16:15 Panel discussion: Rural tourism stars – transformation of rural areas

15:15 – 17:30 Scientific and professional perspective: Paper presentations

16:00 – 17:30 Presentations of projects on the topic of rural development and rural tourism

18:00 – 22:00 Sightseeing of the town of Rab and presentation of Kvarner – European Region of Gastronomy 2026

Friday, May 8, 2026

09:30 – 11:00 Keynote lectures

How Rural Tourism Can Compete-Without Losing Its Soul
Digital transformation of rural tourism – Digital Tourism Think Tank
Aligning local opportunities and needs for inclusive and sustainable rural transformation
Who's next? Rural tourism at a succession on the edge
Security in tourism and international energy-lated politics – implications for rural tourism development

11:00 – 12:00 Panel discussion: Gastro diplomacy – from local tradition to global recognition

12:00 – 12:30 Refreshment break

12:30 – 13:30 Panel discussion: Partnerships without borders: the potential of immigrants and new investments that bring change

13:30 – 14:30 Presentation of the winners of the UN Best Tourism Villages award and the Suncokret ruralnoga turizma – The Sunflower Award

14:30 – 16:00 Working lunch

16:00 – 17:30 Round table: Resilience of rural areas – short supply chains as a response to global challenges

16:00 – 17:30 Scientific and professional perspective: Paper presentations

16:00 – 17:30 Presentations of projects on the topic of rural development and rural tourism

20:00 – 22:00 Thematic dinner: Kvarner – diversity is beautiful

Saturday, May 9, 2026

09:30 – 15:00 Following the traces of island tradition – examples of sustainable tourism in practice (post-congress tour of the Happy Island – Felix Alba)