The traditional 14th Marco Polo Award Ceremony 2024 for the best travel reportages was held in Zagreb, Croatia, on December 2nd, the date of FIJET’s founding. It was a special occasion, as FIJET Croatia celebrated two significant anniversaries: 70 years of FIJET promoting tourism worldwide and 60 years of FIJET Croatia supporting international and domestic tourism. The event brought together distinguished guests, sponsors, partners, awarded journalists, international FIJET tourism journalists, and many Croatian FIJET members.
With great pleasure, FIJET Croatia and its partners hosted several international FIJET members, including Tijani Haddad, the President, Delal Atamdede from Turkey, Philip and Kaliope Nicolaides from Cyprus, Maja Zagoričnik and Iztok Škofic from Slovenia, Jacques Campe from France, and Drago Bulc from the Slovenian Association of Travel Journalists. The event took place amidst the enchanting atmosphere of Zagreb’s Advent.
The role of awards and public recognition is of great importance. Awards not only acknowledge success but also recognize many other qualities.
A media award helps winners stand out for their excellence in the media industry, emphasizing the contributions and impact such awards have on journalists, especially those focused on regional and local tourism.
The FIJET Journalists Award Committee, composed of esteemed Croatian journalists Ante Gavranović, Željko Žutelija, Jadranka Rilović, Marija Barić, and Branko Uvodić, recognized outstanding achievements in travel journalism in Croatia. They selected and awarded the best colleagues, demonstrating exceptional dedication and effort.
The Marko Polo Grand Prix for domestic travel articles was awarded to Božo Skoko and Zvonimir Frka Petešić, authors of the excellent book “Croatia in 30 Stories”, which has been a popular choice among international tourists visiting Croatia. The Marco Polo Grand Prix for International Journalists was awarded to Maja Zagoričnik and Iztok Škofic for their TV film about Tunisia, which served as the host country for the FIJET Congress in 2023. Additionally, Philip Nicolaides received the Marco Polo Plaque for his outstanding reportages about Zagreb, where he created nine excellent features highlighting the city’s tourism value.
Six Marco Polo Medals were awarded to domestic journalists for their excellence in publishing travel articles and stories about Croatian regions, people, customs, and traditions. These contributions have served as inspiration for tourism professionals to develop new content, enhance tourism offerings, and motivate both tourists and media professionals to promote fresh tourism products, particularly aligned with emerging trends and the future of the tourism industry.
In 2020, FIJET Croatia introduced the Tolerance Award, which is presented to individuals who exemplify and promote tolerance within their communities and globally, fostering intercultural dialogue and underscoring its importance in achieving world peace based on universal human values. The FIJET Tolerance Award 2024 was given to Sandra Paović, an International Paralympic gold medalist.
Special gratitude is extended to the sponsors, whose support ensured the smooth execution of the Marco Polo project: the Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Culture and Media, Croatian Tourist Board, Tourist Boards of Zagreb and Korčula, Croatia Airlines, Hotel Esplanade, Nimco Company, Tourist Board of Sveti Ivan Zelina, and donors including the Serdar Foundation, Abi Shalabi Foundation, Pavo Jerković, and the Villa Neretva Foundation.
2024 Laureates
Special Recognitions for Exceptional Contributions to Travel Journalism
- Marija Crnjak, Jutarnji List: “For an exceptional contribution to tourism journalism.”
- Nikola Baraka, Croatian Travel Festival Šibenik: “For an exceptional contribution to the promotion of tourist travelogues with inspiring stories about the journeys of travel writers, travelers, and the people integral to their careers and lives.”
- Adventure Festival “Mate Svjetski,” Vrgorac: “For the annual gathering of world travelers, travel writers, adventurers, and all lovers of travel.”
- Jerko Sladoljev: “For an exceptional contribution to the promotion and development of camping tourism.”
- Lovinac Tourist Forum: “For organizing the Oxygene concert at Tulove Grede on Majstorska Cesta, a unique musical event at one of Croatia’s most fascinating historical, natural, and cultural landmarks.”
- Jasmina Mrkonja: “For exceptional media communication in promoting Rastoke as one of the world’s most beautiful villages, declared in 2023.”
Special Recognitions for Culture and Tourism
- Dalmatian Klapa Festival Omiš: “For special merits in promoting, preserving, popularizing, and developing the musical culture of klapa songs in Croatia.”
- Dagmar Meneghello: “For successfully connecting and promoting culture and tourism.”
Marco Polo Plaques for the Best Domestic Reportages
- Philip Nicolaides: “For the series of reports published about Zagreb, showcasing the host city of the Marco Polo Event.”
- Miro Gavran: “For his exceptional contribution to promoting Croatian culture and literature worldwide as the most translated and performed Croatian playwright.”
- Frano Herendija: “For the magazine In Love with Konavle, featuring stories about the cultural and historical heritage, customs, and traditions of Konavle.”
- Maja Zlokić: “For tourist stories and reports about hidden and authentic destinations with traditional events, published in Croatia Hot Spots magazine.”
- Rade Popadić: “For the Pečat od vrimena project, uniquely depicting life in the Dalmatian hinterland, published on the video portal Dalmacija Danas.”
- Mirjam Jukić: “For a series of authentic stories from Croatia, especially continental regions, published on the Turističke priče and HRTurizam portal.”
- Senka Vlahović: “For the report Osijek—Romantic, Relaxed, and Self-Effacing City on the Drava, published on the Putovanja HR website.”
Marco Polo Grand Prix
- Božo Skoko and Zvonimir Frka Petešić: “For the book Croatia in 30 Stories, presenting Croatian identity, lifestyle, and unique features to the world.”
- Maja Zagoričnik and Iztok Škofič: “For a TV film about Tunisia, the host country of the FIJET congress in 2023.”
FIJET Tolerance Awards for a Life of Tolerance and Understanding of Diversity
- Sandra Paović: “For the exceptional promotion of tolerance and understanding of diversity through sport.”
- Zadar Tolerance Festival: “For promoting intercultural dialogue and understanding of diversity through films, exhibitions, and educational content.”
Lifetime Achievement Awards
- Ante Gavranović: “For his pioneering work in tourism journalism and founding FIJET Croatia in the former state.”
- Tina Eterović Čubrilo: “For her key contributions to the development of tourism journalism and affirming FIJET in promoting destinations, culture, and excellence in media and tourism.”
Recognition Awards for Partners
- Tourist Board of Međimurje County: “For exceptional contribution and partnership in implementing FIJET Croatia projects.”
- Croatian Association of Congress Tourism Professionals: “For exceptional contribution and partnership in implementing FIJET Croatia projects.”
Recognition Awards for Musicians
- Vivian and Voljen Grbac, Paula and Đelo Jusić, Marija Vidović, Mirko Švenda, and Toni Eterović
Congratulations to all the winners of Marco Polo!