Island Lošinj

The awards presentation ceremony was attended by Mr. Gari Cappelli, Mayor of the Town of Mali Lošinj, Ms. Đurđica Šimičić, Director of the Tourist Board of the Town of Mali Lošinj, Ms. Biserka Ragvat, Head of the Mali Lošinj Tourist Office, Ms. Sania Jelić, Director of the Croatian National Tourist Board Representative Office in Madrid, Ms. Marina Šimun from the Croatian National Tourist Board and Ms. Tea Zupičić from the Croatian Embassy in Spain.

The Evaluation Committee was composed of 11 independent members, making it an even greater honor to receive such a prestigious award.

Lošinj competed against two other finalists, namely Peru with its project entitledY tú, qué planes?and the Vienna Tourist Board with its project entitledCreating Vienna’s Tourism Strategy 2020.

This award symbolizes outstanding recognition of the Lošinj tourism concept practically translated into theFragrances and Tastes of Lošinjproject, which the Tourist Board of Mali Lošinj, headed by Director Ms. Đurđica Šimičić and Mr. Gari Cappelli, Mayor of the Town of Mali Lošinj, has been developing since 2005 in cooperation with the Town of Mali Lošinj, numerous organizations, institutions, associations, partners and citizens of Lošinj. Each year, an increasing number of interested participants join the project.

„We are extremely proud of the huge global success our small destination has achieved. This award serves as true recognition of the efforts of all citizens, all those who have in some way supported the concept of health, vitality, biodiversity, sustainable development and responsible tourism. To win a prestigious global award such as this is both an honor and an obligation to commit our efforts to further develop tourism in this direction. I would like to thank all those who have supported us, who have joined our project, who contributed with their ideas. Over the years, our joint efforts have resulted in project expansion, improvement and further development. Thank you for believing that Lošinj can do it! We will continue to develop our beautiful Lošinj archipelago, which we have so proudly presented to the world, in the same direction and now also with a new wind beneath our wings,“ said Đurđica Šimičić.

“TheFragrances and Tastes of Lošinjproject is based on tradition. As early as in 1892, Professor Ambroz Haračić, a biologist, studied the island's specific microclimate. During the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy, Lošinj was proclaimed a climatic health resort for bronchial diseases. Today, Lošinj boasts the same quality. First-quality air and sea, 207 sunny days per year, walking and hiking trails in the length of 280 km stretching across five islands, over 180 dolphins and a Marine Research and Conservation Center which offers the possibility of adopting a dolphin, thus contributing to the protection and conservation of the species.

This project connects various public-private partnerships. We started by taking small steps, such as developing theFragrant Island Garden, and than expanded the project outside the Croatian borders and around the world. The core principles that our project and tourism in general rest on are sustainability and responsibility. We are developing a center of excellence, ensuring education for all, from programs intended for kindergarten children to adult education and lifelong learning programs. Our first efforts were aimed at educating the citizens about the importance of environmental protection, protection of health and plants, the manner in which the plants can be used and grown, aromatherapy, and similar. Afterwards, we directed our efforts into a promotional campaign presenting our project to the guests. The guests have embraced the project with enthusiasm, thus developing affection for the island. We are discovering and presenting the ways in which the wild-growing herbs can be used in gastronomy and preparation of traditional dishes. TheAdrian's Fragrant Kitchenevent represents a learning opportunity for both citizens and food-facility owners and employees. The children from our hospitality school are actively involved in the event-related activities.

„We perform quality analysis in all segments. We are the first destination in Croatia to introduce the concept of a mystery guest, as early as four years ago. Every year, we compare the ratings and reward the best partners. We use online questionnaires to measure the satisfaction of our guests and citizens with destination tourism in general and theFragrances and Tastes of Lošinjproject specifically. We also measure the satisfaction of our citizens. We make best efforts to ensure responsible tourism and believe that only a satisfied destination citizen can be a good host!“ pointed out Ms. Đurđica Šimičić and added: „Nature lovers come to our island all year round, thus helping us develop year-round tourism. Each year, we also organize a series of events, such as the Festival of Aromatherapy and Phytotherapy, which is particularly interesting, cooperate with medical specialists and perform scientific tests in order to obtain scientific evidence. We have scientifically proven that one's lung capacity increases after only a few days spent on Lošinj. The wellness centers participating in the project use natural essential oils in their treatments, such as the essential oils extracted from immortelle, sage, lavender, myrtle, etc. We promote and encourage local production; we have launched a 100% natural Lošinj cosmetic line; and the guests simply love to visit our Fragrant Island Garden.

Along the fragrant footpaths in the length of 250 km stretching across the five islands of our archipelago, we have installed educational boards. We have also developed theme footpaths on the topic of vitality and health. Along the mentioned footpaths, we also provide various information concerning the outdoor aromatherapy and the plants that the guests can see in the environment while enjoying their walk. We organize forums and professional gatherings. The project is based on a multi-disciplinary approach, including continuous education and further development of the project in cooperation with the entire community. The project is being developed as a puzzle. Particular elements are created by particular individuals, thus building a story about our destination.

In 2015, we will also start theTotal Quality Managementproject. We will, however, continue to highlight the core values of our island – preserved environment, responsible tourism, satisfied citizens and impressed guests, 95% of which have stated in the questionnaires that they would love to return to the island and would definitely recommend us to their friends!” concluded Šimičić.

The finalists from all categories presented their innovative projects and achievements at the UNWTO Awards Symposium held the day before the awards presentation ceremony, which represents an exceptional promotional opportunity. The world leaders in the field of tourism and numerous distinguished guests from all around the world thus had an opportunity to hear the story about Lošinj tourism which rests on an exceptionally long health tourism tradition and positioning of Lošinj as an island of vitality and a health destination.

„To Lošinj, an island which follows global tourism trends, it is an exceptional honor to receive an award which shows global recognition. This award confirms that the global tourism industry recognizes Lošinj as a destination, and such confirmation and recognition raise the motivation of the locals to stay on the island where life is twice as hard compared to the life in continental destinations.

This powerful motivation is exactly why each year Lošinj prepares large projects, various novelties, activities and amenities. We wish to thrill and amaze our guests! This is our mission, which has so far been successfully pursued by the Tourist Board, respecting the dialogue between the citizens and the guests.

We are both pleased and encouraged by the fact that continuous investments are being made in all types of accommodation and that we encourage each other to strive for quality and progress, as well as invest in human resources and educational activities in all segments, from aromatherapy to language and communication skills courses. The project that truly shows our excellent achievement is none other than theFragrances and Tastes of Lošinj.

The world recognizes the fact that we truly live our vision, while striving to stay true to our core values, the region that makes us who we are as well as commits us to develop a sense of pride in our children for the benefit of the generations to come, ensure progress and live it, while respecting the authentic and the natural for the benefit of this region that rests on tourism and its development,“ concluded Mayor Gari Cappelli.