December the 1st, 2025 – Sustainable tourism is more than just a couple of buzzwords for Nin, as local sustainable tourism there is growing alongside tree planting.
As karlobag.eu writes, Nin has once again confirmed its status as one of the leaders of Croatian sustainable tourism by joining the national project called “Croatia Naturally Yours”. This is a programme launched by the Croatian National Tourist Board and the Ministry of Tourism and Sports that encourages tourist destinations across the country to plant trees. The idea behind it is to reduce the carbon footprint of travel, especially when it comes to people arriving by car, at the same time strengthening Croatia’s positioning as a responsible, green tourist country. In Nin, a coastal area with the title of European Destination of Excellence and a strong focus on sustainable development, such an initiative naturally builds on existing projects of environmental protection and thoughtful spatial management.
the growth of sustainable tourism – growing more trees
The aforementioned “Croatia Naturally Yours” project has been designed to be a national network of local tree-planting actions across tourist areas. The Croatian National Tourist Board provides financial support to destinations that apply to the public call, while local governments, tourist boards and utility companies take responsibility for selecting the proper locations, purchasing and planting seedlings, and taking care of the young trees in the long term. The aim is to reduce some of the CO2 emissions associated with tourist traffic, especially with individual guest arrivals by car, as well as to clearly demonstrate the fact that tourism can be an ally, not an opponent, of ambitious climate goals.
The programme is being implemented over several years and across different phases. This means that from season to season, new tree-lined avenues, landscaped green areas, shaded walkways and parks will appear in Croatian cities and municipalities. Special attention is being paid to the selection of indigenous or locally adapted tree species that tolerate the specific climatic conditions of a particular area well, contribute to biodiversity and improve the quality of life of both residents and guests in the long term. In this context, Nin, with its geographical location, historical importance and sensitive lagoon ecosystem, represents an ideal destination for this type of project.
wider european reforestation goals
“Croatia Naturally Yours” is also broadly linked to broader European initiatives aimed at afforestation and the restoration of green areas. This includes the European Union’s goals related to planting additional trees by 2030. Every new tree planted along the Croatian coast, including in Nin, is part of a larger mosaic – a network of cities and municipalities that want to reduce their carbon footprint, adapt to climate change and remain competitive in an increasingly demanding tourism market.
nin – the cradle of croatian statehood and a natural wonder
Nin is far from just another small, pretty coastal town, but the cradle of Croatian statehood and one of the most intriguing cultural and historical landscapes on the entire Adriatic. Located on an islet in a shallow lagoon, connected to the mainland by bridges and surrounded by unusual sandy beaches, Nin has been systematically building its identity for years as a destination that combines heritage, nature and responsible tourism development. It is precisely because of this approach that Nin bears the EDEN label – a European Destination of Excellence, which places it among European examples of good practice in sustainable tourism.
The EDEN title is awarded to smaller, generally lesser-known destinations that show with their development model that it is possible to attract guests while at the same time preserving the environment and the local way of life. In the case of Nin, this can be seen in the careful management of the ancient town core, the preservation of the lagoon, the valuation programmes for the healing mud and the salt pans, as well as in the constant emphasis on authentic stories and local products. People who opt to visit places like Nin are intentional in their choices and are often looking for just such a destination – a place where historic churches, archaeological finds and traditional fishing scenes naturally fit in with modern standards of sustainability.
croatia (and nin) – naturally yours
It’s therefore only natural that Nin has duly recognised the project “Croatia is naturally yours” as a logical continuation of its existing development strategy. Investing in green infrastructure – from tree rows to landscaped green areas – isn’t seen as an accompanying decoration on a tourist postcard, but as the foundation of long-term development. For visitors who study the offer of accommodation in Nin and compare destinations, this is an additional argument to choose the Nin Riviera, where the future of the entire area is being seriously considered.
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