Source: Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
Last week, in the Croatian Home Split, in an atmosphere of pride, emotion and love for heritage, the ceremonial academy of the project Dalmatia Storytelling Destination was held. This event once again confirmed how important identity, local stories and cultural heritage are for the future of tourism in Dalmatia.
An evening filled with strong emotions and inspiring stories brought together representatives of the Split-Dalmatia County, tourist boards, cultural institutions, guides, artists, small entrepreneurs and numerous heritage enthusiasts who have been conveying to the world the most valuable thing that Dalmatia has – its people, tradition and authentic stories – through a storytelling approach for years.
The program of the ceremonial academy opened with a welcoming address by the Deputy Prefect of the Split-Dalmatia County, Stipe Čogelja, project manager Renate Tešija, and a closing address by the Prefect of the Split-Dalmatia County, Blaženko Boban.
Development of #365tourism
During the evening, the importance of developing #365tourism and a tourist offer based on authenticity, emotion and experience was particularly emphasized. Small local stories, passed down through generations, are precisely what modern travelers are looking for today – a true experience of space and people. “Split-Dalmatia County systematically develops tourism that is based on our authenticity, people and rich heritage. With this ceremonial academy, we want to recognize everyone who contributes to preserving the identity of Dalmatia and creating new, high-quality tourist content with their work. We are especially pleased with the development of storytelling approaches and new niches such as genealogical tourism, which further position Dalmatia as a destination for experiences, not just vacations. We will continue to strongly support projects that connect tradition and modern trends and create a sustainable and competitive tourist offer for our county,” said the Prefect of Split-Dalmatia County, Blaženko Boban.
He also added: “The future of tourism does not lie only in numbers and seasons, but in responsible reflection, preservation and presentation of what makes us special. Heritage needs to be lived, preserved and passed on because it is through authentic stories that we leave a mark, build the identity of a space and create tourism that has a soul.”
Total 44 new products
The central part of the program was the ceremonial awarding of awards for a total of 44 new products that successfully preserve, interpret and present the rich Dalmatian heritage. The awards went to heritage interpreters, tourist guides, cultural institutions, artists, associations and creators of authentic tourist content that represent Dalmatia through stories about its history, tradition, gastronomy, customs and people.
In addition, 17 certificates of appreciation were awarded to participants who have published tours on the project’s web platform, and who thus contributed to the development and success of the project.
A particularly moving moment of the evening was the joint appearance of all the winners on stage, a symbol of the unity of people who, through their work, preserve the identity of Dalmatia and pass it on to new generations and guests from all over the world.
Through the project “Dalmatia Storytelling Destination” today operates a network of heritage interpreters who take visitors back to ancient times and revive historical characters of numerous stories deeply woven into the Dalmatian identity. Each of these stories is not just tourist content, but an emotional encounter with the past, a way to understand the space and feel the spirit of Dalmatia. That is why heritage is not just a memory of the past, it is the foundation of our existence, identity and future.
Cultural tourism
The project has been continuously developing for six years and has established itself as one of the leading examples of the development of cultural tourism in Croatia. Since its inception, the project has grown despite the challenges of the global tourism crisis, and it was precisely during the period of tourism recovery that it further strengthened its position. The first ceremonial academy was held in 2023, when the first 40 laureates were presented. Already in 2024, the project and its stakeholders achieved significant recognition – the Split-Dalmatia County was a finalist for the award in cultural tourism at the Days of Croatian Tourism in Opatija, while the project was also awarded a certificate of appreciation from the Croatian Chamber of Commerce – Split County Chamber for its contribution to the development of cultural tourism. Interpreters involved in the project continuously win professional awards for the quality of their products.
During 2025, the project further expanded its activities – participating in numerous local and international initiatives, professional meetings and congresses, and becoming recognized as an example of good practice beyond the borders of Croatia. As part of the Pričigin Festival, a special evening of heritage storytelling “A Story Through Dalmatia” was held, bringing the project even closer to a wider audience. In the same year, cooperation was also launched on the development of genealogical tourism through the “Return to the Roots” project, creating the first such tourist experiences in Croatia.
The success of the project is the result of the strong cooperation of the public sector, tourist boards, museums and other heritage institutions, with the continuous support of the Split-Dalmatia County. Special value is given to the project by heritage interpreters – licensed tourist guides and experts who, through innovative approaches, revive local traditions, customs and identity.
“This year’s laureates are recognized as pioneers of a new approach to tourism – one based on authenticity, sustainability and the quality of life of the local community. Their experiences bring heritage beyond the confines of institutions, bringing it closer to visitors through emotion, storytelling and the experience of taste, smell and space,” said Renata Tešija, project manager.
On the platform www.dalmatiastoretelling.com, you can find more than 80 commercially available, year-round thematic experiences – which makes the Split-Dalmatia County a leader in the offer of cultural and tourist products in the Republic of Croatia.
