Sustainable City Achievements

The City of Dubrovnik has been recognized as the World’s Leading Sustainable Destination 2025 for its environmentally focused approach to tourism management. The award highlights the city’s commitment to reducing environmental strain while protecting cultural heritage and supporting local quality of life. Central to this achievement is Dubrovnik’s Respect the City initiative, launched in 2017 to address overtourism through data-driven and environmentally responsible strategies.

The program integrates technology and policy to lower emissions, manage visitor flows, and reduce congestion in the UNESCO-listed Old Town. Key measures include Croatia’s first electric car-sharing system, AI-based visitor forecasting, coordinated cruise scheduling, and a bus reservation system that limits peak traffic. These efforts reduce pollution and protect historic infrastructure and surrounding ecosystems.

Recognized at the World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards, Dubrovnik’s progress is supported by measurable gains in sustainability performance. The city demonstrates how historic destinations can achieve environmental resilience while maintaining cultural and economic vitality.

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