Nestled on the southern coast of the island of Braฤ, Bol, Croatia has been serenading tourists with its charming beaches, enriching culture, and the captivating Zlatni Rat. As we basked in the glow of a hundred years of organized tourism in this Croatian paradise, we embarked upon retrospection and future gazing through a crucial roundtable discussion, pondering upon “Life on Islands and Tourism: Which Direction Do We Want to Go?”
The European Parliament in Croatia, together with TZO Bol and the Municipality of Bol, curated a space for dialogues, creating a confluence where ideas, experiences, and future visions for tourism and island life mingled seamlessly. As I took my seat among the panellists, I was enveloped by an amalgamation of pride, responsibility, and a fervent hope for the sustainable future of our beloved tourist destination.
The panel welcomed:
- ๐ช๐บ Tonino Picula, Member of the European Parliament
- ๐ญ๐ท Danica Bariฤeviฤ, Representative in the Croatian Parliament
- ๐ฉโ๐ผ Katarina Marฤiฤ, Mayor of Bol
- ๐ Ante Mandiฤ, from the Faculty of Economics at the University of Split, specializing in Tourism and Economy
Our dialogue was gracefully inaugurated by Andrea ฤoviฤ Vidoviฤ, the Head of the European Parliament in Croatia, who illuminated our discussion with her thoughts on “Europe, Local – and Island,” setting the stage for a discourse that navigated through the nuances of local tourism, its impacts, and its future trajectory amidst the larger European context.
Preceding the panel discussion was a ceremonial session of the Assembly of the Tourist Board of the Municipality of Bol, a moment where we honoured and awarded those who have been pivotal in sculpting the tourist landscape of Bol, celebrating their contributions and innovations in elevating Bol as a stellar global tourist destination.
Our expressions of gratitude are boundless towards Ante Trutaniฤ, the director of TZO Bol, and Katarina Marฤiฤ, for not only being phenomenal hosts but also for their remarkable cooperation in orchestrating an event of this magnitude and importance.
The century mark is not merely a reflection of the chronological progression of Bol’s tourism but a symbol of the resilient, evolving, and enchanting spirit of Bol, its inhabitants, and its admirers. As we steer towards the future, our endeavours will be imprinted with the learnings from our illustrious past and a conscious commitment towards a sustainable, inclusive, and vibrant touristic future.
And so, with hearts swelling with pride and eyes gleaming towards the future, we raise a toast ๐ฅ to Bol, to its people, to every traveller who has treaded its paths, and to the numerous journeys yet to be embarked upon in this Croatian jewel.
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