Kvarner the European region of gastronomy in 2026

Published: 19.05.2024.

Kvarner has received an official recommendation for winning the title of European Gastronomy Region in 2026.

Last year, Kvarner became an official candidate for winning the title of European Gastronomy Region in 2026. This prestigious international title is awarded by the IGCAT institute (Institute for Gastronomy, Culture, Arts and Tourism), which cooperates with UNWTO and UNESCO. The title is held every year by two different European regions, namely those that stand out for their unique gastronomic tradition and commitment to sustainable practices in agriculture, then education, protection and promotion of local food and culture, but also the encouragement of cross-sectoral tourism.

The recommendation was given by the expert commission of the IGCAT institute after a tour of the region, and the confirmation of this recommendation will follow at the Council of the IGCAT institute at the end of June, after which the official announcement will arrive. Through a four-day tour of the region, the expert committee of the IGCAT (Institute for Gastronomy, Culture, Arts and Tourism) whose members were from Finland, Norway, the UK, Slovenia and Spain visited Kvarner and assessed the region's readiness for the title of European regions of gastronomy in 2026. The committee is familiar with all Kvarner subregions and has visited numerous points of interest throughout Kvarner, including local producers and growers, family farms, olive groves, wineries, the Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management, local markets, restaurants and many other Kvarner attractions. The goal was to show the expert committee the best that Kvarner has to offer in terms of gastronomy, as well as the vision and way of managing the development of gastronomy.

The Primorje-Gorski Kotar County is one of the most developed tourist regions in Croatia and can rightly be called one of the strongest Croatian gastronomic destinations. The gastronomy of this county is based on autochthonous domestic products, specific in each of the micro-regions of this region - the Kvarner islands, the coast, Gorski Kotar, which for a reason also bears the epithet of the green heart of Croatia.

Watcch Kvarner live from different locations and simply enjoy the view!