With a view to develop a long-term strategy to secure a sustainable future based on cultural and food diversity, the Kvarner Region (Croatia) officially joined the World Regions of Gastronomy Platform and aims to present a candidacy for the European Region of Gastronomy 2026 title.
A protocol agreement was signed between President of IGCAT, Diane Dodd, PhD and Director of Kvarner Region Tourist Board, Irena Peršić Živadinov, PhD on behalf of the Kvarner Regional Stakeholder Committee, on 14 June 2023, in the framework of the 26th IGCAT Best Practices Platform Meeting, held in Hauts-de-France, European Region of Gastronomy awarded 2023.
“With more than 170 years of hospitality experience; with its focus on landscape, nature, health and wellness, we will learn so much from having this region in the Platform. Adding to this culinary and cultural diversity will provide real potential for a tremendously successful European Region of Gastronomy. I am convinced Kvarner’s journey to the title will bring many new, surprising and delightful opportunities for the region,” explained Diane Dodd.
“Since the beginning of its almost thirty years of activity, the Kvarner Region Tourist Board has considered gastronomy an important part of the tourist offer – equally as a reason to visit the region but also because good food is a powerful memory. The Kvarner gourmet scene is one of the trademarks of the region. As a Croatian region that connects the Mediterranean with the continent, Kvarner Region offers a truly diverse cuisine rich in aromas and flavours. Thanks to the geographical position of the coastal areas, islands and the mountainous region of Gorski kotar, this is a part of Croatia where various influences have intertwined for centuries. That is why today gastronomy is part of the identity and culture of the people of the Kvarner Region. In recent years, thanks to the growing trend of going back to the roots meaning traditional and sustainable, the key word in gastronomy and wine tourism is local, which adds value and attractiveness. So, it is quite certain that the business platform and the title European Region of Gastronomy will enable our region to highlight its special features on the international market through participation and presence in platform activities, such as the exchange of experiences with partners and competitive regions in Europe, through various professional competitions and educational intitiatives (most often webinars), encouraging creativity and developing awareness of sustainable tourism. We expect joining the project and continue an even more intensive cooperation and dialogue with our domestic sector of wine and gastronomy, as well as including other entities at the destination – for example regional producers, hotel and catering facilities, educational institutions and competence centres with programmes related to wine and gastronomy,” explained Irena Peršić Živadinov.
Kvarner Region’s candidacy is supported by a regional committee of founding stakeholders composed of public, private, third sector and knowledge institutions: the Primorje-Gorski kotar County; the Kvarner Region Tourist Board; the Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management of Opatija; and the Kvarner Wines Cooperative.
By joining the World Regions of Gastronomy Platform, they committed to work together to safeguard and promote the region’s distinct food, culture, arts and natural assets and capitalise on them to support local sustainable development. At a regional level, this will be achieved by intensifying cooperation among all local actors and uniting them under a common vision for the region.
At an international level, Kvarner will collaborate with the other member regions of the Platform by taking part in joint projects and exchanging knowledge and best practices.