Lectures, panels, indigenous products and cultural heritage part of the synopsis of the 6th International Congress on Rural Tourism

The third day of the 6th International Congress on Rural Tourism offered a continuation of interesting, indigenous and inspiring panels, lectures and presentations of Croatian cultural treasures and heritage, with an emphasis on Croatian island products. It was an excellent conclusion to the working part of this Congress, given that Saturday was reserved for a visit to the island of Brač and its natural beauties.

Friday began with lectures in the Grand Dalmatia hall of the Le Meridien Lav hotel. Empowering communities through smart strategies to build collaboration and improve communication was the topic of Diane Dodd, president of the International Institute for Gastronomy, Culture, Arts and Tourism (IGCAT). "We are out of the niche" - Rural tourism as a consolidated part of the tourist economy was taught by Klaus Ehrlich, co-founder and head of several business associations related to rural tourism in Spain. Agritourism as a new trend towards cluster development and sustainable food systems - the case of Albania was presented by Valbona Ylli, an experienced expert with more than 25 years of experience as a national and international consultant with numerous leading international institutions. Patricia Carbona (Tourism at the UN) lectured on Tourism for Rural Development: Opportunities and Challenges.

After the end of the first part of the lecture, the panels followed. Enogastronomy - an opportunity for entrepreneurs and a pleasure for tourists, on which the panelists were: Diana Lazar, Edith Szivas, Renata Vincek, Ivana Vladović, Silvija Jačan Obratov, Antonia Radić Brkan and Josip Brna. The second panel, entitled Expatriates and returnees – tourists, investors and revitalizers of smart rural communities, was held by ambitious experts who returned to their homeland and entwined themselves in agriculture and the rural progress of Lijepa naše. On stage were: Mirela Rubić, Joško Lokas, Crotiana Gregurić and Ivo Đuračić. This was followed by the presentation of the tourism offer of Baranja, organized by the Baranja Tourist Board, with indigenous specialties, tastes and smells of Baranja cuisine.

In the second part of the day, interesting topics were again on the schedule. The workshop for the transformation of rural destinations: Discover sustainable tourism with Stefan Pettersson, an expert with more than 35 years in tourism and hospitality, delighted the attendees, just like the topic: Let's interpret the heritage of smart rural villages presented by Dubravko Fijačko.

The evening before was reserved for going to the pearl of the Mediterranean, the city of Split and the paths of the Split greats, and the Tourist Board of the city of Split made a big contribution. The gala dinner was also supported by the Tourist Board of the City of Split and the Tourist Board of the Municipality of Podstrana. Smiling faces, Split costumes and many reasons for a beautiful future of rural tourism concluded Friday. Saturday, April 13, also the final day of the Congress, is reserved for the island of Brač and the Brač heritage routes.