On December 12, 2024, the opening conference of the MAJESTIC ZOO-S project was held at the ZOO Hotel Osijek. This project, co-financed by EU funds through the Interreg IPA Cross-border Cooperation Program Croatia-Serbia 2021–2027, brought together key stakeholders with the aim of improving family tourism in Osijek and Subotica, as well as their zoological gardens.
At the conference, attended by more than 70 participants, the importance of family tourism as a key segment of the global tourism industry was highlighted. The director of Palić Zoo expressed satisfaction with the cooperation and presented planned projects within her zoo:
“New facilities such as the interactive Baby Zoo and an outdoor classroom will elevate the visitor experience to a higher level. We are especially pleased that these facilities will provide an unforgettable experience for families and contribute to the development of empathy in children through interaction with animals.”
Božidarka Golubović from the Tourist Organization of Subotica agreed, emphasizing that the project not only opens new possibilities for content development but also increases the visibility of the region:
“The Majestic ZOO-S project enables the positioning of Subotica and Osijek as desirable family destinations, with an emphasis on cooperation that contributes to the promotion and improvement of the tourist offer of both cities.”
The director of the Tourist Board of the City of Osijek, Tajana Rogulja, pointed out that precisely such projects contribute to the development of a diverse offer that can meet the needs of all family members:
“Family tourism is one of the most important segments of the global tourism sector. Children’s first contact with tourism should be shaped in a way that inspires them to travel later, and this project provides exactly such an opportunity.”
As part of the project, ZOO Palić will build a modern children’s playground, an interactive Baby Zoo, and a summer classroom equipped with educational materials for schoolchildren, while ZOO Osijek will reconstruct the existing playground, add a sensory playground, and build Slavonian Village – an educational space about domestic animals and tradition. In addition, the tourist organizations of Osijek and Subotica will organize a series of promotional activities, including events, fairs, filming a promotional video, and training for tourism workers according to “Family Welcome” standards.
After the official part, participants enjoyed a cocktail, where they exchanged experiences, built new partnerships, and networked. The relaxed atmosphere allowed for further exchange of ideas and cooperation plans, and you can see how the conference went in our photo gallery.
