Rijeka Tourist Board grants funding for tourism initiatives in 2026.
The Rijeka Tourist Board is showing its commitment to year-round tourism and enhancing the city’s visibility by supporting a variety of events and projects in 2026. The aim is to create a diverse programme that attracts visitors throughout the year, benefiting not only tourists but also the local community and the economy. Contracts for grants to support events that can boost visitor numbers, increase spending, and elevate the city’s profile were recently awarded at the Grand Hotel Bonavia.
Organizers of events spanning sports, culture, music, literature, gastronomy, and urban entertainment received funding. These events include well-known ones like Fiumanka, KultuRI, CRO Race, and JazzTime Rijeka to newer initiatives such as the Rijeka Craft Beer Festival and RiTech Expo. This displays a wide array of events that the Tourist Board considers crucial for tourism and social dynamics in the city. Rijeka aims to cater to various guest profiles and market segments through a combination of major public events, specialized festivals, and diverse content.
Rijeka is strategically emphasizing diversity in its tourism offerings, setting it apart from other destinations that rely solely on the summer season. By nurturing traditions like carnival celebrations, music festivals, sporting events, and urban festivals, the city attracts visitors throughout the year. The support provided by the Tourist Board extends to events held throughout the year, ensuring a continuous flow of engaging activities like WineRi, Advent, and Summer at Gradina. With an annual budget of 550,000 euros dedicated to events and projects, Rijeka sees these initiatives as integral to shaping its tourism identity and spreading tourist traffic evenly across the seasons.
The director of the Rijeka Tourist Board, Petar Škarpa, underlines the importance of supporting projects that enhance Rijeka’s recognition, extend the tourist season, and add value for residents and visitors. Events play a vital role in bridging tourism and local life, offering guests a reason to explore beyond the surface of the city. The positive tourism results for the city in the first two months of 2026, with a significant increase in arrivals and overnight stays, highlight the success of Rijeka’s approach to year-round tourism and event promotion.
With a growing number of arrivals, including a noticeable influx of younger visitors between the ages of 19 and 30, Rijeka’s city-break character is becoming more pronounced. This trend underscores the importance of offering engaging programmes, seamless transportation options, and appealing city events to attract short-term urban travelers. Rijeka’s tourism success early in the year positions it as one of the top destinations in Croatia, showcasing the impact of diverse events in shaping the city’s tourism landscape.