Zagreb, March 25, 2024 - While the preparations for the 6th International Congress on Rural Tourism are in full swing, we will introduce you to the organizers of the upcoming event. Most of them are institutions that contribute exceptionally to the realization of the Congress, which will be held at the Le Meridien Lav hotel in Podstrana, from April 10 to 13, 2024. Let's start in alphabetical order:

Faculty of Agriculture in Zagreb

In more than a hundred years of rich academic tradition, the Faculty of Agriculture of the University of Zagreb has established itself as a leading scientific and university institution in Croatia in the field of biotechnical sciences. Studies cover all areas of agricultural production and related activities, and the Faculty also recognizes lifelong learning programs through various international educations, lectures, and programs.

Balkan Environmental Association

Balkan Environmental Association (B.EN.A) is an international non-governmental scientific organization whose task is to preserve the environment and culture of the Balkan countries. This association is focused on the development of cooperation and the exchange of environmental information among its members, as well as on the identification and assessment of current environmental protection problems at the national, regional, and international levels.

Faculty of Economics in Split

The regional leader in talent development through educational programs, scientific research, and promoting ideas that improve the well-being and sustainability of society locally, nationally, and globally is certainly the Faculty of Economics in Split. The Faculty pays special attention to students in various aspects: teaching, research, and other activities.

Faculty of Economics in Zagreb

The oldest institution of higher education in the field of economics and business economics in the Republic of Croatia, but also the wider international environment, is the Faculty of Economics in Zagreb. Based on the results of its activities on the economic, social, and political level, the number of current students and members of the Alumni community, the number and competencies of its teachers, associates, and supporting staff, the awarded international accreditations and the constellation of excellent scientists, managers, entrepreneurs, and politicians working in practice, The Faculty of Economics - Zagreb is the leading and largest institution of economic education in the Republic of Croatia and the wider region.

Faculty of Agrobiotechnical Sciences Osijek

As part of Josip Juraj Strossmayer University in Osijek, one of its oldest members is the Faculty of Agrobiotechnical Sciences. The scientific and teaching staff of the Faculty have the task of educating students, through the gradual introduction into the world of basic knowledge about plants and animals and breeding technologies, so that they can independently manage the process of agricultural production, the ultimate goal of which is to produce food for the human community. The overall goal is the qualitative and quantitative improvement of food production, with the lowest possible production costs and the preservation of nature, the environment, and human health.

Faculty of Management in Tourism and Hospitality

As a component of the University of Rijeka, the Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management is the only higher education institution in the Republic of Croatia that offers programs in the field of tourism, hospitality, and sustainable development at undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels, as well as several lifelong learning programs. The faculty is a leader in higher education, and scientific and professional research in the fields of tourism, catering, and sustainable development in Croatia and the wider region.

The vision of the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts is a Croatian society of knowledge and science. The mission, on the other hand, is the inclusion of Croatian science in the European and world streams of science, by permanent encouragement and systematic increase of investments from the state budget and other sources in research and development of science, and care for Croatian cultural heritage and its affirmation in the world, as essential factors of the spiritual, economic, political and general progress of Croatia.

Since its founding in December 1997, the Croatian Association for Tourism and Rural Development "Klub članova Selo" has been working on the rural and regional development of the Republic of Croatia, especially on rural tourism and its special forms. The association operates on organizational, educational, developmental, promotional, and other assumptions and projects, as well as on interdisciplinary and international cooperation with scientific and professional institutions, non-profit organizations, tourist communities, individuals, entrepreneurs, and other stakeholders in tourism, agriculture, culture, education, economy and development sector.

The Institute for Tourism is the only scientific public institute in Croatia specializing in research and consulting in tourism. It bases its experience on scientific work, continuous research, and continuous improvement of the multidisciplinary work team. An integrated approach to tourism development and management, which respects the development aspects of companies, tourist destinations, and national tourism policy, is the strategic determinant of the Institute's activities. It is a partner to the holders of tourism activities in achieving a common goal - achieving greater competitiveness in Croatian tourism.

Split-Dalmatia County is the largest county in Croatia by area - with a total area of 14,106.40 km2. Through participation in various initiatives and associations, this County achieved coordinated and systematic cooperation with the regions of neighboring countries and the regions of the European Union. Bilateral relations with influential regions and membership in important international organizations eventually led to fruitful cooperation in the economy, that is, concrete projects developed in cooperation with regions from abroad, on various programs, especially those of cross-border cooperation.

An organization that operates according to the principle of destination management, and was founded to promote and develop tourism in the Republic of Croatia and the economic interests of legal and natural persons that provide hospitality and tourism services. The tasks of the Split-Dalmatia County Tourist Board are research and strategic planning, tourism product development, communication and advertising, destination management, and administrative tasks.

An ambitious and entrepreneurially oriented public institution, it will become a leading regional university in the field of professional and applied higher education, based on the concept of lifelong learning and responsibility for knowledge as a public good, thereby significantly contributing to the development of the region and the Republic of Croatia. The fundamental values of the Polytechnic in Virovitica are responsibility, ambition, openness, creativity, academic autonomy, and excellence.

A prominent worker in the public life of the Republic of Croatia, and today a member of the European Parliament, Sunčana Glavak, greatly contributes to the organization of the 6th International Congress on Rural Tourism. The ceremony of awarding awards to the best young farmers in 2024 will be especially grand.

Thankful words to the Organizers who recognized the importance and value of the 6th International Congress on Rural Tourism. We look forward to working together!