Today in Rijeka, the conference KultuRi – Conference on the Valorization of Cultural, Historical, and Sacred Heritage in Tourism was opened. It is being held on April 9 and 10, 2026, and brings together numerous experts in the fields of tourism, culture, and gastronomy.
The conference is dedicated to considering the role of cultural and sacred heritage in contemporary tourism, with an emphasis on sustainable development, authenticity of offerings, and connecting local communities.
Today's program also featured the head of the Center for Halal Quality Certification, Mr. Muhamed Mandžić, who gave a lecture on the topic "Halal as a Function of Strengthening the Tourist Potential of a Destination." In his presentation, he highlighted the importance of halal standards as a significant segment of the tourist offering in the context of growing global market interest.
Mandžić pointed out, using concrete data, the strong growth of halal tourism, emphasizing that even a small share of this market would represent a significant opportunity for Croatian tourism. As examples of good practice, he singled out hotels that have already recognized this potential and implemented the HRN BAS standard, such as the Sheraton and Hilton hotels in Zagreb, the AC Hotel by Marriott in Split, the Grand View Hotel on Brač, and the Rixos Hotel in Dubrovnik.
Special emphasis was placed on the connection between gastronomy and cultural heritage, with the Islamic Center in Rijeka highlighted as an example of good practice, which, in addition to its sacred and architectural value, contributes to the tourist offering also through halal gastronomy.
In his lecture, he explained that halal in tourism implies food safety, process transparency, and service adaptation to the guest, supported by a halal certification system that enables the structured development of offerings.
In conclusion, he highlighted the connection between tourism and investments, emphasizing that tourist experiences often represent the first step towards business cooperation and investments. The lecture ended with an announcement of the Halal Business Forum 2026, which will be held in Dubrovnik from November 11 to 13.
The conference continues tomorrow, where additional presentations and discussions will open up new questions and perspectives on the development of cultural tourism.