News
01.10.2026.
The second newsletter of the People Powered Tourism project is out!
In this new edition, we bring you an overview of the latest project activities, the first pilot programmes implemented across the Danube Region, and the next steps ahead.
Read the newsletter and find out more about what is currently happening within the People Powered Tourism project
30.09.2026.
Can we experience a familiar place in a new way?
One of the goals of the “Dilj Through Nature and Community” pilot programme, developed as part of the People Powered Tourism project, was to explore how the existing natural resources around Slavonski Brod can be connected with new activities and ways of experiencing a place – without the need for major interventions or new tourism infrastructure. At Petnja Lake, therefore, we did not want to offer simply a walk in nature.
Through activities led by therapist Aleksandra Balen, the focus was on slowing down, being mindful in nature, and directing attention to what surrounds us – sounds, scents, touch and our own experience of the place. In this way, we also wanted to explore the potential of the natural environment for developing experiences focused on well-being, relaxation and spending quality time in nature. The experience continued through the collaborative creation of spatial installations led by artist Lucija Lebić. Using elements found in the immediate surroundings, participants further directed their attention to the space, its details and their own relationship with the landscape through a creative process.
And perhaps the photographs themselves best capture the experience – the calm yet joyful faces of the participants, their shared involvement and the sense of connection that naturally emerged throughout the activities. By bringing together nature, art and active participation, we are exploring new ways of developing tourism experiences based on local resources.
And it is precisely their collaborative design and testing with local stakeholders that lies at the heart of the People Powered Tourism project.
29.09.2026.
The pilot programmes have come to an end, but our joint work does not stop here
We have just completed two intensive days of pilot activities, “Brod through Art and Heritage” and “Dilj through Nature and Community”, during which we tested the programmes we have jointly developed over the past months as part of the Interreg People Powered Tourism project in Slavonski Brod and the surrounding area. First and foremost, a big thank you to our local stakeholders – our associated partner, the Tourism Board of the Slavonski Brod-Posavina Area, representatives of local institutions and associations, artists, workshop facilitators, the mountaineering club, teachers and experts, local producers, and many other collaborators.
Many of them have been with us from the very first workshops and meetings, through identifying the potential of the area and developing ideas, all the way to their concrete implementation and testing in the field. We would also like to thank all our guests, representatives of tourism agencies, journalists, and all other participants who contributed to the implementation and evaluation of the programmes through their experience, feedback, and engagement, as well as our project partners from Hungary, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Ukraine, who joined us in Slavonski Brod and took part in testing the programmes. However, the implementation of the pilot activities does not mark the end of the process.
Quite the opposite – the experiences gained during these two days now provide a starting point for the next phase. Already next week, we will meet again with local stakeholders to discuss together what worked well, what can be improved, and how we can continue developing the tested programmes.
New activities are also being prepared, through which we will continue exploring their potential and involving the local community.
25.09.2026.
People Powered Tourism Pilot Programmes in Slavonski Brod and the Surrounding Area
This week, we piloted two tourism programmes developed as part of the People Powered Tourism project – Brod through Art and Heritage and Dilj through Nature and Community. Together with project partners from Danube Region countries, local stakeholders, and other participants, we tested experiences that bring together local heritage, art, nature, and the community. We will soon share more about the programmes, participants’ experiences, and the results of the pilot activities. For now, we are sharing a report by the SB online news portal
10.09.2026.
Final Preparations for the Pilot Programmes in Slavonski Brod and the Surrounding Area
At the beginning of September, we took another important step towards implementing the People Powered Tourism pilot activities in Slavonski Brod and the surrounding area. At meetings held on 2 and 3 September, we brought together local stakeholders who have been working with us over the past months to develop the pilot programmes. We went through the final details, coordinated the activities and organisational arrangements, and once again visited the locations where the individual activities will take place. In this way, we jointly finalised the programmes that have been developed throughout the participatory process.
We now have two programmes that connect places, people, and local stories in different ways: “Brod through Art and Heritage” and “Dilj through Nature and Community”. We are looking forward to 22 and 23 September, when project partners and invited participants will join us in Slavonski Brod and the Dilj area.
They will have the opportunity to experience the programmes we have developed together, take part in the activities, and help us further refine them through their impressions and feedback. A big thank you to all the local stakeholders who have contributed to the entire process with their time, knowledge, ideas, and commitment.
31.08.2026.
Final Preparations for the People Powered Tourism Pilot Activities
This week, we are once again bringing together local stakeholders from Slavonski Brod and the surrounding area, this time with a very specific task – to jointly agree on the final details of the pilot activities that we will test on 22 and 23 September. On 2 September, at the Đuro Pilar Mountain Lodge, we will discuss the pilot programme that connects the nature and heritage of the Dilj area with the local community and active experiences of the destination. On 3 September, at the Tambura House in Slavonski Brod, we will focus on a programme centred on art and the city’s cultural and literary heritage, and on connecting these elements into new experiences for visitors.
These meetings are a continuation of a process in which local stakeholders have been involved from the very beginning in identifying the potential of the area and developing ideas for new tourism experiences. Now, together, we are moving from planning to concrete implementation in the field. Our final preparations will also involve collaborators from a tourism and marketing agency.
During the pilot activities, promotional video and photographic materials will be produced to showcase the experiences, people, and places on which the programmes are based. We look forward to meeting with our local stakeholders again and to our final joint preparations ahead of the September pilot activities!
27.08.2026.
People Powered Tourism: From Shared Ideas to Pilot Programmes
After months of working together with local stakeholders, the People Powered Tourism project in Slavonski Brod and the surrounding area is entering a new phase – the implementation and testing of pilot tourism programmes. The programmes have been developed gradually: through workshops, we jointly identified local cultural and natural assets, developed new ideas, and discussed how to bring them together into experiences that can be engaging for visitors while also creating value for the local community.
This participatory approach and the active involvement of local stakeholders in developing the tourism offer are at the heart of the People Powered Tourism project. During September, we will test two pilot programmes – one focusing on the art and cultural and literary heritage of Slavonski Brod, and the other on the nature, local community, and heritage of the Dilj area and the rural surroundings of the city. The final preparations are now underway, and at the beginning of September we will once again meet with local stakeholders to coordinate the final details before testing the programmes in the field.
More about the programmes and their implementation coming soon!
21.07.2026.
Can travel change the way we experience a place?
Transformative tourism is being increasingly discussed as an approach that focuses on experiences that enable visitors to develop a deeper connection with a place, its heritage, nature, and people. Such experiences are not based on quickly visiting tourist attractions, but on participation, learning, encounters, and a personal experience of the place.
These principles are also at the heart of the pilot programmes being developed as part of the People Powered Tourism project in Slavonski Brod and the surrounding area. Through art, nature, local stories, and active community involvement, the aim is to create tourism programmes that enrich the visitor experience while also contributing to the preservation of local identity and the quality of life of the community.
The pilot activities will take place in September. Until then, we will introduce you to some of the approaches that underpin their development
09.07.2026.
People Powered Tourism: Shaping New Tourism Experiences for Slavonski Brod and Its Surroundings Together
Last week, we held a series of meetings with local stakeholders as part of the international Interreg project People Powered Tourism, implemented by the Institute for Tourism in partnership with the Slavonski Brod–Posavina Tourist Board.
The meetings brought together representatives of cultural institutions, associations, cultural and artistic societies, artists, tourist guides, teachers, local producers, and other stakeholders who will actively contribute their knowledge, experience, and ideas to the implementation of the project's pilot activities, scheduled for September this year. The meetings provided an opportunity to present the progress made in developing the pilot programme, exchange ideas, and finalize the planned activities that will offer visitors an authentic experience of Slavonski Brod and its surrounding area.
The People Powered Tourism project is based on the belief that sustainable tourism is best developed in collaboration with the local community. For this reason, joint planning and cooperation form the foundation for creating tourism experiences that reflect the area's unique identity while delivering long-term benefits to the local community.
We would like to thank all participants for their time, valuable contributions, and willingness to help create new and meaningful tourism experiences.
30.06.2026.
People Powered Tourism in Slavonski Brod and Its Surrounding Area Enters the Final Phase of Pilot Programme Preparation
This week, the Institute for Tourism and the Slavonski Brod–Posavina Tourist Board are organising two meetings with local stakeholders as part of the international Interreg project People Powered Tourism. Following last year's workshops, during which local stakeholders jointly identified the area's cultural, natural, and social assets, the project is now entering an important new phase—the presentation of the developed pilot tourism programmes and the joint planning of their implementation.
The pilot activities, which will be tested during September, have been developed based on proposals and ideas contributed by the local community. They introduce a new approach to tourism by encouraging active resident participation, promoting local heritage, and creating authentic visitor experiences. During the meetings, we will present the progress made in developing the pilot programmes and discuss opportunities for local stakeholders to become actively involved in their implementation. We believe that sustainable, high-quality tourism can only be achieved through close cooperation with the local community.
1 July 2026 – Meeting for stakeholders from the rural pilot area (Bukovlje)
2 July 2026 – Meeting for stakeholders from the urban pilot area (Tambura House, Art Gallery of the City of Slavonski Brod)
We look forward to meeting with our stakeholders again and continuing our joint efforts to develop tourism programmes that will enhance the quality of life of the local community and contribute to the destination's long-term sustainable developmen
03.03.2026.
Last week (23–26 February 2026), we participated, together with our associated partner, the Tourist Board of the “Slavonski Brod – Posavina” Area, in the Interreg Danube Region – People Powered Tourism project partner meeting held in Timișoara (Romania), which brought together partners from 12 countries of the Danube Region.The central part of the meeting was dedicated to presenting pilot activities that will be implemented this year in partner cities and regions.
These include new tourism products and services developed on the basis of mapping local cultural and natural resources and in cooperation with the local community.The Institute for Tourism presented two pilot activities that will be carried out in Slavonski Brod and its rural surroundings.During the meeting, discussions focused on the results achieved so far in stakeholder engagement, the further development of pilot activities, media campaigns, and the administrative and management steps in the continuation of the project. Particular emphasis was placed on coordinating upcoming activities and developing a joint working methodology among partners.
As part of the programme, Dr Ives Vodanović Lukić delivered, together with Dr Florentina Popescu (Department of Geography, West University of Timișoara), a masterclass workshop on placemaking, with a special focus on its application in tourism and destination development.We would like to thank our hosts, the DMO – Visit Timișoara organisation, for their warm hospitality and excellent organisation of the meeting.
25.11.2025.
Last weekend, as part of the Katarina Fair in Slavonski Brod, we presented the results achieved so far in the People Powered Tourism project, created through the active engagement of local stakeholders — and we were thrilled by the audience’s response!
We would like to thank everyone who visited our exhibition space, talked with us, and shared their ideas. We are especially pleased that both of our proposals — Active Getaway in the Slavonski Brod Area and Art Weekend in Slavonski Brod, inspired by the region’s rich cultural and natural heritage — sparked great interest and positive feedback from the wider public in Slavonski Brod.
This weekend once again showed us how important it is to create tourism with people and for people.
Thank you for your support and trust!
Stay with us — we’ll soon be sharing new details about the tourism products we are developing in Slavonski Brod in cooperation with the local community and the Tourist Board of the “Slavonski Brod–Posavina” area as part of the People Powered Tourism project.
17.11.2025.
This weekend at the Katarina Fair in Slavonski Brod!
The Institute for Tourism will present, as part of this weekend’s Katarina Fair in Slavonski Brod, the results achieved so far in the People Powered Tourism project. These results were created through workshops with the local community, in cooperation with the Tourist Board of the “Slavonski Brod–Posavina” area. Together, we explored how to transform existing spatial resources and the creativity of local residents into authentic tourist products.
In Slavonski Brod itself, we focused on the city’s rich cultural heritage—literature, visual arts, and performing arts—while in the surrounding rural areas we developed ideas for active holidays and traditional village activities that will offer visitors memorable experiences.
We invite you to visit the Katarina Fair and discover what tourism looks like when we create it together, with the people and for the people.
30.10.2025.
Continuation of the People Powered Tourism Workshops in Slavonia
This week, workshops were held in Slavonski Brod and the Municipality of Bukovlje as part of the international Interreg project People Powered Tourism, implemented by the Institute for Tourism in cooperation with the Tourist Board of the “Slavonski Brod-Posavina” area.
The workshops brought together numerous local stakeholders – representatives of cultural and educational institutions, associations, entrepreneurs, and local government officials – who worked together to identify and valorize local resources and develop new ideas for tourist experiences.
These workshops are part of a series aimed at creating unique tourism products resulting from the active participation of local stakeholders and promoting tourism that brings value both to the community and to visitors.
The sessions were conducted in an inspiring and engaging atmosphere, featuring numerous creative proposals and examples of good practice.
We sincerely thank all participants for their enthusiasm, cooperation, and creative contributions!
21.10.2025.
People Powered Tourism Workshops in Slavonia
Last week, capacity-building workshops for local stakeholders were held in Slavonski Brod and the Municipality of Podcrkavlje as part of the Interreg project People Powered Tourism, in cooperation with the Tourist Board of the “Slavonski Brod-Posavina” area.
The workshops aimed to:
- gather local stakeholders interested in developing new tourism products,
- present the People Powered Tourism project,
- introduce participants to emerging trends in transformative, regenerative, artistic, and ecotourism,
- collect community opinions and suggestions for further tourism development in the local area.
The workshops were conducted in a pleasant and motivating atmosphere, with participants demonstrating strong commitment to continued collaboration in future project activities.
We thank everyone who contributed to the success of the workshops through their participation and ideas!
07.09.2025.
People Powered Tourism Project Team on a Two-Day Study Visit to Vienna
At the beginning of October, the People Powered Tourism project team participated in a two-day study visit to Vienna, focused on exploring innovative approaches to sustainable tourism, with an emphasis on visitor experience and local community well-being.
During the study visit, we explored lesser-known city districts and examples of how sustainability, urban renewal, and community involvement shape a new vision for tourism development.
From eco-hotels and green roofs to urban green spaces designed to preserve biodiversity, city gardens, and districts revitalized through placemaking tools, Vienna demonstrates how the quality of life for residents, visitor experience, and environmental protection can be successfully balanced.
Highlighted examples include:
- Stadthotel Henriette – the first hotel in Vienna operating according to the principles of the economy for the common good; a family-run eco-hotel using exclusively green energy, natural materials, chemical-free cleaning products, and organic food.
- Urbanouts Initiative and Wirtschaft am Markt restaurant – transforming abandoned spaces in the 12th district of Vienna into vibrant areas for the local community and visitors.
- Boutiquehotel Stadthalle and Hotel Indigo – lush inner courtyards and rooftop gardens with beehives, exemplifying the integration of sustainability, biodiversity, and hospitality.
Vienna thus confirms its status as a city that successfully combines sustainable development, shared values, and innovative tourism approaches, creating a balanced and inclusive urban environment.
30.09.2025.
Meetings with Leading Institutions and Stakeholders within the Project
Last week in Slavonski Brod and its surroundings, we held a series of meetings with leading institutions and stakeholders as part of the Interreg project People Powered Tourism. Our associated partner, the Tourist Board of the “Slavonski Brod–Posavina” area, hosted and organized the events. We extend special thanks to Ms. Romana Tekić, Director of the Art Gallery, curators of the Brod Posavina Museum – Ms. Uršula Bešlić and Ms. Danijela Ljubičić Mitrović, as well as Ms. Verica Pudić, tourist guide. We also thank the coordinators of the Young Artists Review (REUMA) and Mr. Darko Šimić for their inspiring presentations of rural attractions.
In October, we continue with new activities:
- 16 October – formal presentation of the project.
- 28 October – resource mapping and idea generation for all those interested in contributing to the development of visitor experiences.
23.05.2025.
Dr. Renata Tomljenović at the Kick-off Meeting of the INTERREG Project People Powered Tourism
Dr. Renata Tomljenović participated at the beginning of May in the kick-off meeting of the INTERREG project People Powered Tourism in Szeged. The project, which officially started in April this year and will run for 36 months, is implemented under the Danube Transnational Programme (INTERREG Danube) and brings together 14 partners from 10 countries in the Danube Region. The lead partner is the City of Szeged (Hungary), and in addition to the Institute for Tourism, the associated partner in the project is the Tourist Board of the “Slavonski Brod – Posavina” area.
The People Powered Tourism project focuses on empowering local communities in the development of new cultural and creative tourism products based on local heritage, traditions, and creativity, as well as creating a platform for the exchange of experiences and skills.
