Velebit Nature Park Advances Sustainable Tourism Projects
A two-day international initiative concluded in Gračac to foster sustainable tourism development across protected areas.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in National Parks
Live Poll
Should protected natural areas in your region be actively promoted for increased tourism development?
Public Institution Nature Park Velebit hosted a project event titled From Protected Nature to a Sustainable Tourist Experience ending October 1, 2026. The initiative focuses on establishing the Velebit region as a sustainable destination through cross-border collaboration.
Why it matters
The project aims to integrate conservation with tourism development across Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro. By exchanging management strategies, the initiative seeks to balance ecological protection with visitor accessibility.
The two-day event hosted 30 participants daily at the Cerovačke Caves Centre of Excellence in Gračac. Field tours were conducted across Majstorska cesta, Tulove grede, and the Zrmanja River area to assess current tourism impacts.
The players
Public Institution Nature Park Velebit
This management entity oversees the conservation and development of the Velebit mountain range area.
The details
The programme featured an international round table aimed at harmonizing protected area management standards among participating nations. Additionally, the project goals were showcased to the public at the Autumn in Lika fair held in the city of Gospić.
Timeline
September 30, 2026: The two-day event session began in Gračac.
October 1, 2026: The two-day event session concluded.
October 21, 2026: The project status was reported.
Travel Outlook
The initiative follows the strategic goals established by the REVERS project to improve management of cross-border protected areas. This reflects a broader trend of aligning regional tourism development with strict environmental preservation standards.
Travelers planning to visit the Velebit region should anticipate future updates to visitor facilities and access routes as the project matures. Visitors are encouraged to prioritize sites like the Cerovačke Caves that currently feature structured tourism management.
The takeaway
Sustainable tourism development in protected areas requires ongoing international coordination and field-based observation. Stakeholders can implement similar collaborative models by prioritizing cross-border management standards for fragile ecosystems.
Further reading
Learn more about conservation efforts in National Parks.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Total Croatia News.
Live Poll
Should protected natural areas in your region be actively promoted for increased tourism development?
