Eight internationally acclaimed travel influencers are visiting Croatia with the aim of experiencing Croatia's tourist offer. This is a project launched by the Croatian National Tourist Board in collaboration with Kristijan Iličić, the most renowned domestic influencer who has visited every country in the world. Nathalie Aron, Patrick Aron and Franziska Niehus from Germany, Tom Maria Alouis Grond from the Netherlands, Jess Melu from Switzerland, Christian Byfield from Colombia, Emanuel Raul Vierra Issa and Valery Issa from Venezuela, Kasem Hato from Jordan, Belkacem Ben Arous and Ester Arguto from Algeria have an overall reach surpassing 20 million followers worldwide on social networks Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.
"In collaboration with the Croatian National Tourist Board, we brought together eight popular travel influencers, all to show the world how diverse, authentic and incredible Croatia is. As someone who has visited every corner of the planet, I feel the need to give something back to my country. Croatia is not just a postcard from the sea – Croatia is also the Drava and the Danube, Plitvice and Slavonia, both emotions and experiences," said Iličić.
The importance of the project was also emphasized by Kristjan Staničić, Director of the Croatian National Tourist Board: "Promotion through digital communication channels takes precedence when implementing our activities aimed at bringing tourist destination offer closer together. Together with Kristjan, we have prepared a versatile program for the stay of this group of influencers who will get to know our destinations both on the continent and the coast. The influencers have been carefully selected, which is confirmed by their combined reach of over 20 million followers. We trust they will share their positive impressions, experiences, but also beautiful photos and videos from Croatia," said Staničić.
In order to successfully highlight the natural wealth and diversity of Croatia's tourist offer, the influencers were divided into two groups, with the first group staying in Slavonia and Baranja, where they will visit Osijek, Đakovo, Kopački rit National Park, etc., and the second in Istria, with an emphasis on Pula and the Brijuni National Park. As the trip continues, both groups will merge into one in Karlovac County, in the magical Plitvice Valleys, where they will try horse riding, ziplining, quad biking, and will also visit one of the most beautiful places in the world - Plitvice Lakes National Park. Their Croatian stay lasts until 19 May, and on the final leg of journey, the influencers will visit Split-Dalmatia County. In cooperation with the Split-Dalmatia County Tourist Board, which actively participated in the project, they will visit Split, Omiš, Šolta, Hvar, Brač, etc. The trip ends in Zagreb, where they will visit the city's sights and attractions.
"Today, when market competition is stronger than ever before, we must focus on the promotional channel that will provide us with the greatest reach and visibility for authentic storytelling offered to tourists. With this goal in mind, in cooperation with the Croatian National Tourist Board, we have decided on strong digital promotion. We believe that with the leadership of one of our most famous travel bloggers, Kristijan Iličić, the story of Croatia will touch millions of people around the world," concluded Tonči Glavina, Minister of Tourism and Sports.
