7th International Congress on Rural Tourism Presented to Minister David Vlajčić

At the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries on 23 February, a meeting was held between the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia and Minister David Vlajčić and representatives of the organisers of the 7th International Congress on Rural Tourism – 7th International Rural Tourism Congress.

In addition to the Minister, the meeting was attended by State Secretary Zdravko Tušek, Director-General for Agricultural Policy, EU and International Cooperation Dalibor Janda, and Director-General for Professional Support to Agricultural Development Mladen Fruk. The organisers were represented by the Vice-Chair of the Congress Programme Committee and Director of the Institute of Tourism Damir Krešić, as well as Dijana Katica in her capacity as Chair of the Organising Committee and President of the Croatian Association for Tourism and Rural Development “Club Members Village”.

Under the slogan Creative Transformation of Rural Tourism: Sustainability, Digitalisation, Inclusiveness, the Congress will take place from 6 to 9 May. This year’s hosts are Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, holder of the title Kvarner European Region of Gastronomy 2026, and the City of Rab.

The Congress is structured around nine thematic units addressing key challenges and opportunities in rural areas: sustainable development and climate resilience of rural regions; digital transformation and smart villages; agritourism and diversification of farm household income; short supply chains and local gastronomy; cultural and natural heritage as the foundation of the tourism offer; inclusiveness, demographic revitalisation and the role of youth; innovation and creative industries in rural tourism; financial instruments and EU funds; and international cooperation and examples of good practice.

The Congress serves as the leading regional platform connecting agriculture, tourism and rural development. Its value lies in facilitating knowledge exchange between experts and decision-makers, presenting innovative rural destination development models, enhancing the visibility of Croatian family farms and local products, promoting an integrated approach to rural areas (agriculture + tourism + community), fostering partnerships for EU-funded projects, and positioning Croatia as one of Europe’s leaders in rural tourism.

Meeting participants emphasised that the Congress is also highly relevant to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, as its slogan and thematic framework directly align with the priorities of agricultural policy, such as diversification of farm income, digital transformation of rural areas, sustainable resource management, and the inclusion of local communities and vulnerable groups.

It was further highlighted that the Congress represents a platform linking the public, civil and private sectors in discussions on rural development, strengthening synergies between agriculture and tourism, promoting domestic products through tourism channels, encouraging short supply chains, supporting the development of agritourism as a supplementary activity of family farms, and positioning Croatia as a leader in sustainable rural tourism in Europe.

Minister Vlajčić expressed his support for the Congress and announced the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries’ intention to grant official patronage to the event.

More information about the Congress is available at: kongres.klubselo.hr.