Showcasing Croatia's MICE Offer Across the Country Through MEETEX FAM Trips

As part of the MEETEX 2026 workshop, the most significant MICE B2B event in Croatia, the Croatian National Tourist Board organized four familiarization (FAM) trips aimed at further promoting Croatia’s business, conference, and incentive offer, which significantly contributes to the development of year-round tourism.

Ahead of MEETEX, a Pre-MEETEX FAM trip covered the regions of Šibenik and Zadar. International hosted buyers visited the Amadria Park Convention Center and Hotel Bellevue. The Šibenik program included a tour of the old town, a visit to the House of Art Arsen and Baraka Winery, as well as an authentic gastronomic experience at the Dalmatian Ethno Village.

In Zadar, the trip began with a visit to a heritage hotel Maškovića Han and continued with inspections of the meeting facilities at Hotel Pinija, Falkensteiner Hotel & Spa Iadera, and Hyatt Regency Zadar. The program was further enriched with an olive oil tasting at Agrotourism Plavica, a tour of the historic old town, and wine tasting at the Royal Vineyards.

After MEETEX, Post-MEETEX FAM trips took participants to Dubrovnik, the Kvarner region, and Northern Croatia. In Opatija, part of the Kvarner region, participants explored top-tier conference facilities at hotels such as 4 Opatijska Cvijeta, Liburnia Hotels & Villas, and Hotel Ambassador. The region’s enogastronomic offer was showcased through wine tastings at Rumac Maćuki Estate in Ičići, culinary experiences at the Yacht Club and at Hotel Milenij’s Argonauti restaurant, and a must-visit experience at Milenij Choco World.

The Northern Croatia FAM trip offered participants insight into the region’s key MICE potential, emphasizing authentic experiences and high-quality meeting infrastructure. The program included visits to key locations such as Vuglec Breg, Terme Tuhelj, and Heli Center in the heart of Zagorje, as well as hotel and business event venues in Varaždin. Special attention was given to unique historical and cultural sites, including Trakošćan Castle, Varaždin, including the Croatian National Theatre, and the Krapina Neanderthal Museum, which, in addition to their historical significance, provide opportunities for diverse event formats. Expertly guided tours allowed participants to experience a combination of culture, history, and exceptional enogastronomic offer.

During their stay in Dubrovnik, international buyers experienced first-hand the region’s top-quality hotels such as Rixos Premium Dubrovnik, Hilton Imperial Hotel, and Hotel Dubrovnik Palace. The program also included sightseeing, oyster tasting in Ston, and a folklore performance in front of the Church of St. Blaise.

These FAM trips once again confirmed the diversity and quality of Croatia’s MICE offer, positioning the country as a safe, accessible, and well-connected destination for business events throughout the year. Participants concluded that Croatia offers outstanding potential for organizing a wide range of business events and meeting the needs of different client profiles.