The eastern region of Baranja was named the best rural tourism destination, the Opatija Riviera was voted the best cultural and food tourism destination while the central Adriatic city of Zadar was awarded as the best boating destination at a ceremony held last week at which the Croatian Tourist Board (HTZ) presented awards in several categories.

The health tourism destination of the year is the northern Adriatic island town of Mali Losinj, the northern Adriatic resort of Rovinj was voted the best holiday tourism destination, while the best small coastal town is the southern town of Cavtat and the best continental destination is the northern region of Medjimurje.

The natural attraction of the year is the Paklenica National Park and the innovation of the year is the maritime heritage interpretation centre Loger Nerezinac on Losinj island.

The Croatian Chamber of Commerce (HGK) awards this year again went to the best tourism companies, including the Zagreb-based Adriatic Sailing, which was voted the best charter company, while the Stubicke Toplice special hospital was voted the best spa.

The hostel of the year is the Boutique Forum from Zadar while the best small travel agency is M-G Express from Kanfanar, the best medium-sized travel agency is Globtour Event from Zagreb, and the best big travel agency is Katarina Line from Opatija.

The Osijek-based travel agency Zlatna Greda was given a certificate of recognition.

The small camping site of the year is Lavando from Orebic, and the best big camping site is Aminess Maravea Resort from Novigrad, while the best naturist camping site is Solaris Resort.

The best small marina is Olive Island from Sutomiscica, the best medium-sized marina is D-Marin Mandalina from Sibenik, and the best big marina is D-Marin Dalmacija Sukosan. The ACI marina Rovinj won a special certificate for luxury.

As for hotels, this year’s best small and family hotel is the SE-MI from Veliko Trgovisce, the best luxury hotel is the Boutique Hotel Alhambra from Losinj, the best congress hotel is the Valamar Lacroma Dubrovnik, the best city hotel is the Esplanade Zagreb, the best family hotel is the Valamar Girandella Resort, the best wellness hotel is the Well Terma Tuhelj, while the Grand Park Hotel won a certificate of recognition for the investment of the year.

Among the three, four and five-star hotels that were awarded are The Loop Hotel Zagreb, the Split-based Radisson Blue Resort, and the Rovinj-based Monte Mulini.