Destinations
that have been shortlisted for the European destination of excellence were
presented in Pustara Višnjica, which is the national winner of the EDEN 2011,
on April 23rd 2013.
With the aim of creating an European network of the
most beautiful places of sustainable tourism, the European Commission in the
2006 launched the EDEN (European
Destination of Excellence), the choice of European destinations of excellence,
in which the members of the European Union, as well as a candidate country like Croatia
competes. The project is based on national competitions that result with the selection of tourist destinations of excellence for each country, and the
main goal is to draw attention to the value, diversity and shared
characteristics of European tourist destinations and then to network the winners.
After visiting the nominated destination, an expert
committee composed of representatives from the Ministry of Tourism, the
Croatian Tourist Board and the Croatian Association of paraplegics and quadriplegics
chose the finalists for selection of the destination of excellence, EDEN. Theme
for elections in 2012-2013 was "Accessible Tourism", and this term
implies tourism that is accessible to all, and tourist services that are
available to people with disabilities, the elderly as well as families with
small children.
Rural tourism Stancija 1904 was declared as European
Destination of Excellence (EDEN) 2012-2013, whose theme for this year is
"Accessible Tourism", while four companions were chosen: Daruvar, Jezerčica Spa, the City of Varaždin
and Spa Tuhelj. The decision was made by
an expert committee composed of representatives of the Ministry of Tourism, the
Croatian Tourist Board and the Croatian Association of paraplegics and quadriplegics;
after the presentation of six destinations that were short-circuited in 2013
year's election: Daruvar, Rural Tourism Stancija 1904, Jezerčica Spa, Spa
Tuhelj, City Čakovec and the City of Varaždin.