ZAGREB, 13 March (Hina) - Bjelovar has been recognised as Croatia's most welcoming city as part of Booking.com's Traveller Review Awards, based on the highest ratings for hospitality according to visitor reviews.
Mayor Dario Hrebak emphasised that the award is authentic, as it is based on the real experiences of visitors who booked accommodation through Booking.com. "Of all the destinations in Croatia, Bjelovar has the best ratings in this regard, which is fantastic news for everyone working in tourism here," Hrebak said on Wednesday at a press conference in the city’s central park.
According to the mayor, the credit for this success goes to the Bilogora-Bjelovar Tourist Board and all tourism sector employees who "approach the development of Bjelovar tourism with great enthusiasm, dedication and a lot of love".
Ana Kelek, director of the Bilogora-Bjelovar Tourist Board, noted that over the past three years, 300 new beds have been registered in the area, bringing the total to about 450 private rental beds.
"Last year, we had 45,000 overnight stays, more than double the tourist traffic compared to the previous year. Specifically, in the past five years, that number didn't even reach 20,000 overnight stays annually, which clearly shows the results of our tourism strategy and continuous efforts to improve the offerings. This growth of over 125% places Bjelovar among the fastest-growing tourist destinations in continental Croatia," Kelek noted.
She added that Bjelovar is already closing in on the number of tourism nights recorded in Daruvar, which is the tourist hub of Bjelovar-Bilogora County.
Bjelovar's tourism offering includes houses with pools, family estates and farms. The city has ambitious plans for the future, including the construction of a spa, which, according to the mayor, should significantly raise the city's profile as a tourist destination. The Terezijana festival, which has become a recognised national tourist event, was also mentioned, with the next step being to position Bjelovar as a premium destination.
