Slavonia and Baranja rank among the fastest-growing tourist regions in Croatia, as highlighted at the Stories of Slavonia event held at Materra Hotel in Čepin, marking the second anniversary of the premium tourism platform Stories Croatia by the Croatian Chamber of Economy.
The event brought together representatives of the tourism sector, platform members, family farms (OPGs) as carriers of the region’s identity, as well as partners and agents from the German market – one of the most important outbound markets for Croatian tourism. A central focus was the presentation of package models that combine premium accommodation, gastronomy, local experiences, and authentic cultural offerings.
“Continental tourism is becoming an increasingly important segment of Croatian tourism. It is essential that it is characterized by higher value-added products based on authenticity and destination identity – this lies at the very core of premium tourism. That is why today we chose to present the Stories Croatia platform to the Slavonia and Baranja region as a tool for networking and enhancing sector competitiveness. Among other things, we are presenting a model of structured collaboration among high-quality service providers into market-ready premium packages. In this way, we strengthen the market positioning of continental premium offerings, which has also been confirmed by agents from the German market, whose visit we organized to present the region to international partners”, said Andreja Vukojević, Vice President of the Croatian Chamber of Economy.
This year, the Stories Croatia platform marks its second anniversary, focusing on connecting premium service providers and developing innovative and sustainable tourism products. Through a series of activities – including education, promotional projects, and B2B events – the platform encourages raising the quality of the national tourism offer. In this context, Slavonia has been recognized as a region with a strong identity, whose experience-based offer, rooted in tradition and local lifestyle, is increasingly sought after by modern travelers.
“Tourism in our county is experiencing strong growth, but our focus is on developing premium and authentic experiences. By connecting top local producers and service providers, we create an offer that delivers added value to guests while positioning us as a recognizable continental destination. With more than 330,000 overnight stays and continuous growth—among the leading regions in Croatia – it is clear that we are establishing ourselves as a destination of authentic and increasingly high-quality tourist experiences”, emphasized Nataša Tramišak, Prefect of Osijek-Baranja County.
“Slavonia and Baranja are recording the highest tourism growth in Croatia – in 2025, a record increase of more than 15 % in overnight stays was achieved. The quality of the offer is confirmed by numerous awards, and all of this proves that the premium category today is not limited to top accommodation alone. Day by day, our guests reaffirm what we inherently know—that the key factors are preserved nature and living in harmony with it, as well as our tradition, genuine hospitality, and authentic way of life”, said Mislav Matišić, Director of the Osijek-Baranja County Tourist Board.
Slavonia is also increasingly distinguished by its gastronomy, which goes beyond a simple tourist offering. Food, local products, and culinary tradition serve as tools of differentiation in an increasingly demanding international market. As Slavonia is the focus of a new phase of the Uplift – Friend of Croatian Cuisine project, a team of experienced chefs will define and standardize recipes for the region’s signature dishes by the end of next year, strengthening the recognition and quality of domestic gastronomy.
“Croatia has an exceptionally rich gastronomic heritage, but it is still not clearly defined or internationally recognized. That is why we are continuing the project – after Dalmatia, we are now focusing on Slavonia, a region with a strong culinary identity and outstanding potential. Through collaboration with top chefs and the education of young cooks, our goal is to build the foundations for the long-term positioning of Croatian cuisine as an important part of the country’s tourism offering and identity”, explained Gea Kariž, Director of Mastercard in Croatia.
The event also addressed existing challenges – from destination perception to the need for further investment in infrastructure and product development. Progress in this direction is being made by the national airline, Croatia Airlines, which connects Croatia with 33 European airports via 55 routes. Through membership in Star Alliance and the Miles & More program, it enables global connectivity and greater visibility.
“The Osijek–Munich route represents an important air link between eastern Croatia and one of Europe’s largest hubs. Munich is a gateway to the world, while Osijek strengthens accessibility for the entire Slavonia region and beyond,” said Slaven Žabo, announcing a fleet renewal – the largest project in the airline’s history.
The plan includes 15 new Airbus A220 aircraft by 2027, a 25 % reduction in fuel consumption, and significantly lower CO₂ emissions. Improved passenger comfort is also expected, with services such as Wi-Fi, e-newspapers, an inflight magazine, and the Flavours of Croatia project, which introduces passengers to local gastronomy during the flight.
The Stories of Slavonia event, held at Materra Hotel in Čepin, is part of a broader initiative to showcase Croatian regions through authentic and premium experiences. The goal is to strengthen the international recognition of regions and premium service providers while encouraging year-round tourism. The premium offer of more than 200 members is available for both domestic and international guests to explore on the Stories Croatia website.
