“Last but not least”, as they say, was true for the grand finale of Croatia’s tourism week in NYC, the presentation of Central Dalmatia for travel professionals and media in NYC’s iconic Delmonico’s Restaurant owned by Croatians. As New York braces for one of the coldest winters, it warms our hearts to think about beautiful places to visit in Croatia this summer, with majestic beaches and delicious food paired with an abundance of great wines.
It was a fantastic week, directed by Leila Kresic Juric, director of the Croatian National Tourist Office in New York. The weeklong travel festivities started with the presentation of the award-winning show “Oh The People You Meet” featuring Istria by Michaela Guzy, through the “New York Travel and Adventure Show” in the Javits Center, where Croatia was awarded best pavilion, award to gathering in Delmonico’s for a presentation of Central Dalmatia. Ivana Vladovic, Director of the Tourist Board of Split-Dalmatia County, together with partners from Tourist Boards Split, Trogir, Sinj, Hvar and Stari Grad, as well as hotels “Cornaro” and “Maslina Resort”, and “Debonda” and “Booker” Agencies, put their best foot forward to a gathering of travel professionals that have the power to put Croatia on the travel map. Judging from the results of recent years, efforts to bring American guests to Croatia have definitely paid off.

Attendees have spent midday on a flavorful journey enjoying the visual presentations orchestrated by County’s director Ivana Vladovic and a joyful affair for the taste buds prepared by chefs that brought the flavors of Central Dalmatia to New York; chef Zeljko Neven Bremec and chef Jadran Grancic. As we learned from the President of The Association of Chefs from the Mediterranean and European Region, chef Zeljko Neven Bremec, a marenda is eaten after hard work in Dalmatia. It is a hearty meal, sometimes consisting of cold appetizers like cheeses, prosciutto, or fresh catch like octopuss salad to dishes including lamb, veal, beef, or fish. It would not be a whole meal if not served with wine, complimented with homemade desserts like rožata and fritule, and finished with coffee.

Moderator, an eight-time Emmy Award winner, Lou Young, was working extra hard trying to pronounce Croatian names and was doing a good job introducing the hosts Leila Kresic Juric and Ivana Vladovic, as well as Croatian Minister of Tourism and Sports, Mr. Tonci Glavina and Croatian Ambassador to the United States, the honorable Pjer Simunovic. The Ambassador and Minister, both born in Split, were happy to talk about the region and to share a few interesting stories, especially about the notorious Emperor Diocletian, who was not a nice person, as the Ambassador shared few historical points, but was lucky enough to live to retire and is credited to choose Croatia as his retirement place even though he could have chosen any place. He joked that Croatians liked it so much that they continued the lifestyle of savoring every moment of life, enjoying food and wine and the beauty of nature. “Croatia is a country where English is a language that most Croatians speak and is known to be one of the safest countries in the world,” shared the Ambassador.

That, paired with direct flights now departing daily from New York to Dubrovnik and soon to include other major cities in Croatia, is a great reason to visit Croatia. As the Ambassador said, “many who traveled for the first time decided to return, some once and some travel back often”. Minister of Tourism and Sports shared his connections to Split – Dalmatia and the United States, where he spent time during his studies and brought back a wife, an American who happily lives in Croatia.
Two lucky winners went home knowing they would visit Dalmatia this summer, as their business cards were picked from the pot to win a 6-night stay for two. Time went fast in good company, as directors of tourist Boards from many towns in Dalmatia to two mayors, Hvar’s – Rikardo Novak and Antonio Skarpa from Stari Grad, happily chatted with guests and answered any question. At the same time, the outstanding performer from Croatia, Katica Marinovic, was a great compliment to the overall feast for all senses.










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