Major recognition for Zadar at the Croatian Tourism Days

(Photo: TZG Zadar)

Zadar has been named the best city break destination in Croatia, the Hyatt Regency Hotel received two awards, and additional awards went to the marina in Sutomišćica, private host Dubravica, and guide Čorkalo.

The triumph of Zadar’s city and county tourism at this year’s Croatian Tourism Days in Dubrovnik – crowned by one of the most prestigious awards, naming Zadar the most desirable city break destination – was further enriched by five additional awards carrying Zadar’s signature.

The recently opened Hyatt Regency Zadar Hotel received two of them – for Best Luxury Hotel and for Croatia’s Hotel of the Year – while the annual award in the nautical tourism category went to the family-run Olive Island Marina in Sutomišćica on the island of Ugljan. 

Brankica Dubravica from Stankovci was presented at the Dubrovnik national tourism summit as the best host in Zadar County, and Šibenik-born guide Željko Čorkalo, who works and operates in Zadar County, received the award for Employee of the Year in the Tourist Guide category.

“In addition to the awards received by Zadar and the Hyatt Regency Hotel, the other awards are also a significant recognition of the dedicated efforts of all tourism professionals in Zadar and Zadar County, from private accommodation providers, restaurateurs, and travel agencies to event organizers,” said the Director of the Zadar City Tourist Board, Iva Bencun, who had plenty of reasons to be pleased at the event in Dubrovnik.

(Photo: TZG Zadar)

In a year in which Croatia received, for the first time, the award for Best European Travel Destination from the well-known Belgian portal EBD, Zadar was also named the best city break destination in Croatia for the first time.

As Croatia boasts a whole series of famous city break destinations, such as the globally known Dubrovnik and Zagreb, as well as Split and Šibenik, often featured by YouTube vloggers, this prestigious award granted to Zadar is an exceptional and intriguing recognition. For millions of new travellers, there is no better invitation.

(Photo: Fabio Šimićev)

“We are deeply honoured that Zadar has been chosen as the most desirable city break destination, as it is one of the most attractive awards. This recognition reflects the choice of the most popular destination explored by travellers according to their personal preferences and wishes. Zadar truly has a great deal to offer, from top-quality gastronomy and city restaurants to numerous landmarks and its historical and cultural heritage. The newly opened Hyatt Regency, located close to the Old Town Peninsula, is also a true refreshment for the destination and deservedly received the titles of Best Luxury Hotel and Hotel of the Year. Zadar was often mentioned in Dubrovnik,” said Bencun, commenting on the awards.

(Photo: TZG Zadar)

From January 1 to the announcement of the award, Zadar recorded 2,443,871 overnight stays by domestic and foreign guests, with 667,214 arrivals, placing it among the top ten destinations in Croatia in both categories and close to breaking last year’s record.

Zadar’s average of 3.66 overnight stays per guest classifies it as a short-break destination, typically from two to four days, for travellers focused on exploring a single location.

(Photo: Fabio Šimićev)

At the same time, Zadar is among the top ten domestic tourist destinations in the family accommodation category, and ranks high in both domestic and international overnight stay numbers. Another reason to smile is the fact that domestic guests achieved growth of 5 and 6 percent in overnight stays and arrivals this year, and the Advent festivities in Zadar have yet to begin.