The 145th anniversary of organized tourism in the Novi Vinodolski area was celebrated on June 28 with a ceremonial assembly held in the congress hall of the Lišanj Hotel.

In addition to the hosts — Novi Vinodolski’s mayor Tomislav Cvitković and the director of the local tourist board Tena Peričić — the ceremony was attended by the director of the Croatian Tourist Board Kristijan Staničić, the director of the Kvarner Tourist Board Irena Peršić Živadinov, priests Mario Frlan and Jakov Filipović, board member of the company Rudan Goran Fabris, members of the Assembly and Council of TZG Novi Vinodolski, mayors and heads of neighboring local authorities, directors of tourist boards from the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, Novi Vinodolski city councilors, directors and managers of city institutions and companies, and many other guests and dignitaries.

The program opened with the Croatian national anthem performed by Jose Butorc, followed by performances from Novi Vinodolski’s sopilaši (traditional woodwind players), the women’s klapa choir Puntape, young folklorists from Ivana Mažuranića Elementary School, and the men’s klapa choir Vinčace.

Greetings were sent by the Minister of the Sea, Transport, and Infrastructure and Deputy Prime Minister Oleg Butković, who unfortunately was unable to attend due to government commitments.

Mayor Cvitković welcomed all attendees and reminded them that the tradition of tourism in Novi Vinodolski dates back at least to 1878, with the construction of the first private bathing facilities. He also referred to other important anniversaries celebrated this year in Novi Vinodolski — 40 years since the expansion of the Lišanj Hotel, 30 years of the International Summer Carnival, and 25 years of successful operation of the Pavlomir Winery.

“There is great potential ahead, especially in our hinterland. Let us maintain hospitality and a positive attitude towards further tourism development, while being responsible towards our space and environment,” Cvitković said.

Speaking on behalf of the Lišanj Hotel, board member Goran Fabris highlighted the hotel as an example of good practice in tourism and noted that the hotel owners, the Radaković family, have invested 20 million euros in its development and programs since 2015.

The director of the Kvarner Tourist Board, Irena Peršić Živadinov, emphasized how the heritage and customs of Novi Vinodolski, as well as facilities like the Lišanj Hotel and Pavlomir Winery, enrich the tourist offer of the Kvarner region.

“All these, along with the people who have worked and contributed to the development of tourism in Novi over the past 145 years, make you unique. Continue being exceptional,” Peršić Živadinov encouraged.

The director of the Croatian Tourist Board, Kristjan Staničić, pointed out that Novi Vinodolski has successfully preserved its space, natural resources, and cultural and historical heritage. He noted that mistakes made by some other Mediterranean competitors have been avoided here.

“This is one of the reasons why Novi Vinodolski is today at the top of Kvarner and Croatian tourism and has a great opportunity to develop along the right path towards sustainability, quality, and a prosperous future,” Staničić said.

The director of TZG Novi Vinodolski, Tena Peričić, recalled the tourism development path in Novi, from the construction of private bathing sites and the first hotels and guesthouses, public utility facilities, initial roads, to the building of a gas station, post office, clinic, bus station, shops, market, beaches, the Zagori tourist settlement, and the expansion of private accommodation capacities.

“Novi today has just over 1,000 private renters who make up the largest part of the accommodation capacity, and we thank them for that. We are aware of the shortage of hotel accommodation, which alongside camps forms a very important part of the accommodation offer, so we will continue to encourage changes in that direction,” Peričić said.

The director of the Novi Vinodolski Tourist Board also presented the new logo of TZG Novi Vinodolski, and all attendees had the opportunity to watch a joint promotional video of the Crikvenica – Vinodol Riviera, as well as last year’s video from the Ružica Vinodola event announcing its 19th edition.