Ston celebrates island tradition, local gastronomy and authentic island products through GUSTI
20/05/2026
On Friday, 15 May, Ston was marked by island tradition, local gastronomy and homemade products. The event “Tastes from the Heart of the Islands” was held in and in front of the Rector’s Palace, bringing together producers, representatives of institutions, the tourism and hospitality sector, as well as numerous visitors interested in authentic flavours and stories of the Croatian islands.
The event was organised by the Regional Agency DUNEA as part of the Taste the Destination activities within the Interreg project GUSTI – Gastro UpScaled Tourist Itinerary in rural regions of Croatia and Italy. The project is focused on the development of sustainable tourism itineraries based on local gastronomy, tradition and cultural heritage.
The programme was dedicated to the presentation of products bearing the Croatian Island Product label, while also opening a wider discussion on how local products, traditional dishes and island stories can be more strongly integrated into the tourism offer. The connection between authenticity, quality and experience was the main guiding theme of the event.
In the fair and exhibition area, visitors had the opportunity to meet producers of olive oil, wine, cheese and sea salt products from the Dubrovnik-Neretva County, all certified with the Croatian Island Product label. Through direct exchange with exhibitors, product tasting and sharing of experiences, the quality, diversity and authenticity of island production were further highlighted. The programme also included the participation of the Association of Persons with Developmental Disabilities and Persons with Disabilities “Djeca Pelješca”, adding an important social dimension to the event.
The expert part of the programme, moderated by Marija Bebić, opened with welcoming speeches by Melanija Milić, Director of the Regional Agency DUNEA, and Vedran Antunica, Mayor of the Municipality of Ston. This was followed by a presentation by Vedran Klišanić, Head of the Service for Support to the Regional and Local Level at the Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds, who presented the concept of the Croatian Island Product label. Prof. Dr. Iris Mihajlović from the Faculty of Economics, University of Dubrovnik, then delivered a lecture titled “Island Flavours as an Experience: The Future of Local Gastronomy”, further emphasising the importance of linking local products with authentic experiences in the development of a sustainable tourism offer.
Special emphasis was placed on the panel discussion “Integration of Island Products into the Tourism Offer: Challenges and Opportunities”, moderated by Izabela Vrtar. The panel brought together Vedran Klišanić from the Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds, Ivo Mujo, President of the Agroturizam Konavle Association, Marija Šeparović, President of the Kumpanjija Knight Association, Antonela Perušina, Manager of the “Bota Šare” restaurant in Split, and Saša Računica, chef and consultant. The discussion addressed the integration of island products into the tourism and hospitality offer, the strengthening of local producers’ visibility, and the creation of authentic and sustainable experiences based on gastronomy, tradition and heritage.
The educational and tasting part of the programme presented traditional flavours through the session “Varenik, a Traditional Taste in a New Form”, delivered by Marija Bazdan from the Dubrovnik Tourism and Hospitality School, as well as “Bobica na ožicu”, a traditional and somewhat forgotten dish presented by Katija Guljelmović. Visitors thus had the opportunity to discover new ways of reinterpreting local ingredients, accompanied by tastings for all participants.
The event also received a special cultural highlight through the performance of the Kumpanjija Knight Association from Blato, holder of the Croatian Island Product label for intangible cultural heritage. Their traditional knight dance attracted great interest from visitors and once again showcased the richness of Croatian island heritage, where gastronomy, local customs and the identity of place complement one another.
The strong interest of visitors and the active participation of all involved stakeholders confirmed the importance of such initiatives in promoting local products, preserving tradition and developing sustainable tourism. Through activities such as Taste the Destination, the GUSTI project contributes to improving the visibility of rural producers, strengthening authentic tourism offers and connecting local heritage with tourism experiences in the Dubrovnik-Neretva County.
The event was organised as part of the EU Open Days 2026, with the aim of bringing the results and added value of EU-funded projects closer to the wider public.
