Pirovac Proud: The Barić Family Wins County’s Best Host Award at the Croatian Tourism Days

From Thursday to Saturday, 19–21 November, Dubrovnik hosted the Croatian Tourism Days 2025, the largest annual gathering of the tourism sector in Croatia. Throughout the three-day program, numerous lectures, workshops and panels were held, focusing on the latest trends in tourism, artificial intelligence, sustainable development, and the future strategy of Croatian tourism.

The central and most anticipated part of the event was the formal ceremony of the Croatian Tourism Awards, which are presented each year to the very best in the Croatian tourism industry. This year, a brand-new award category was introduced for the first time: “Your Host of the Year – LOCAL HOST”, dedicated to hosts who hold the Local Host label and who provide guests with an authentic, personal and exceptional accommodation experience. This award is particularly significant as it highlights the value of private hosts whose dedication and quality form an essential part of Croatian tourism.

In exceptionally strong competition - among nearly one hundred Local Host-certified properties in Šibenik-Knin County alone - the Barić family from Pirovac earned special recognition. Their property, the “Stone House” located in the very center of Pirovac, was declared the county winner, placing the Barić family among the top 20 hosts in all of Croatia. The award was presented in Dubrovnik to Pave Barić by the Director of the Croatian National Tourist Board, Kristjan Staničić, who emphasized the importance of small hosts whose work, warmth, and authenticity shape the identity of Croatian tourism.

“We are proud that the Barić family from Pirovac has been recognized as the best host in our county. Their ‘Stone House’ has become an example of how traditional architecture, authenticity and warm hospitality can create an exceptional tourist experience. We congratulate them wholeheartedly — they truly deserve every praise and every recognition. Their success is an inspiration to all hosts and private renters in Pirovac and the entire county to continue investing in quality, personal approach and the local stories that guests remember,” said Igor Bergam, Director of the Pirovac Tourist Board.