JemsAs part of the project “Sustainable Tourism for Local Development – SUSTOUR”, implemented through the Interreg VI-A IPA Programme Croatia – Bosnia and Herzegovina – Montenegro 2021–2027, equipment intended for the modernisation of the Agrotourism Fair of Šibenik-Knin County was delivered in March 2026, and its full functionality was confirmed during the jubilee 15th edition of the Agrotourism Fair in Skradin.
The SUSTOUR project focuses on promoting sustainable economic development, social inclusion and innovation through the enhancement of cultural heritage and the development of sustainable tourism activities in the cross-border area of Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro. One of the key project activities concerns the improvement of existing agrotourism events and the development of new content connecting rural producers, the tourism sector and the local community.
In this context, Šibenik-Knin County is implementing activities aimed at modernising the Agrotourism Fair of Šibenik-Knin County, an event that for the past fifteen years has served as an important platform for promoting local agricultural products, gastronomy, traditional crafts and the region’s tourism offer.
The procurement of equipment is based on the Action Plan for the Modernisation of the Agrotourism Fair of Šibenik-Knin County, developed within the SUSTOUR project, which defines the key steps for improving the fair’s organisational, infrastructural and programme capacities. The aim of the modernisation is to increase the quality of exhibitors’ presentations, improve the spatial organisation of the fair and develop new content that further enriches the visitor experience.
For the purposes of organising the fair, new fair infrastructure was procured, including exhibition stands with canopies, wooden catering huts, bar tables, chairs, parasols and storage containers for logistical support to the event. In addition, valuable electrical power and lighting equipment was procured, enabling a safe and reliable electricity supply for exhibition areas, catering facilities and accompanying programme activities.
The new equipment was used for the first time during the jubilee 15th Agrotourism Fair of Šibenik-Knin County, held in Skradin, which brought together a large number of exhibitors, producers, craftspeople, caterers and visitors from across the region. The fair once again confirmed its importance as a central venue for promoting rural development, authentic local products and sustainable tourism in the Dalmatian hinterland.
During the fair, visitors had the opportunity to discover the rich offer of local family farms and producers, take part in tastings of traditional products and dishes, enjoy the cultural and entertainment programme, and learn about the diverse tourism and eno-gastronomic offer of Šibenik-Knin County. Particular emphasis was placed on preserving tradition, promoting local production and connecting agriculture with tourism through sustainable development models.
As part of the implementation of the SUSTOUR project, a project partner meeting was also held in early May 2026 at the Adriatic Business Centre (ABC) in Šibenik, attended by representatives of project partners from Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro. The meeting presented the project activities implemented so far, enabled an exchange of partner experiences in the field of sustainable tourism development, and agreed the next steps in the implementation of project activities.
Special emphasis was placed on the development of sustainable tourism content based on cultural heritage, local products and rural events, with the Agrotourism Fair of Šibenik-Knin County highlighted as an example of good practice in connecting agriculture, tourism and the local community. On this occasion, the partners also visited locations connected with the implementation of project activities and became acquainted with the newly procured fair infrastructure and the results of the fair’s modernisation.
The modernised infrastructure has significantly improved the organisational and technical conditions for holding the fair, enabling better-quality presentation of exhibitors, greater functionality of the space and a more pleasant experience for visitors and participants. This has further strengthened the role of the Agrotourism Fair as an important meeting point for agriculture, gastronomy, tourism and the local community.
Through the SUSTOUR project, partners from Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro are jointly developing tourism content and events based on cultural heritage and local products, with the aim of strengthening sustainable tourism and economic development in the cross-border area. The project makes a particular contribution to the development of rural areas, the strengthening of local capacities and the creation of authentic tourism experiences based on tradition and sustainability.
