A new sustainable tourism experience developed in Opatija through the Creative Living Lab within the SOCRAT project
06/05/2026
Implemented by the Kvarner Region Tourist Board, the Creative Living Lab took place throughout April 2026 and brought together cultural institutions, artists, associations, sustainability experts, and local stakeholders with the shared goal of co-creating an innovative and sustainable tourism experience rooted in the identity of Opatija.
Developed under the title “The Camellia’s Path – inspiration, slowing down, creation”, the experience combines an interpretative walk through Angiolina Park, mindfulness practice, artistic expression, and tasting of local camellia products into a unique slow-tourism concept focused on wellbeing, creativity, and authentic connection with place.
The Lab was carried out in collaboration with the Croatian Museum of Tourism, artist Kristina Kinkela Valčić, the Urbani Separe Association, Italian mentor Raffaele Fiorella, and the Sustainability Office, which provided professional support in the facilitation process.
Throughout the ten-day Creative Living Lab process, participants explored Opatija’s cultural and natural heritage, experimented with artistic techniques, developed interpretative approaches, and designed the structure of the experience together with local stakeholders. Particular emphasis was placed on sustainability, community involvement, and the creation of meaningful, experience-based tourism content. The newly developed tourism experience was publicly presented and tested on 27 April 2026 in Opatija. The pilot gathered members of the local community, media representatives, and project stakeholders, who participated in the full programme and provided positive feedback on the concept and implementation.
The experience began with a guided educational walk through Angiolina Park, followed by an outdoor mindfulness session designed to encourage slowing down and conscious engagement with nature. Participants then joined a creative collage workshop at the Croatian Museum of Tourism, where they transformed their impressions into personal artistic souvenirs inspired by camellias and the atmosphere of Opatija. The programme concluded with a tasting of locally produced camellia products, connecting gastronomy with storytelling and local heritage.
As highlighted during the press conference held within the pilot event, the SOCRAT project promotes innovative tourism development through cooperation between cultural institutions, artists, associations, and local communities, with a strong focus on sustainability and participatory approaches.
The “Camellia’s Path” experience represents an example of how collaboration between different sectors can result in authentic tourism products that encourage visitors to experience destinations in a slower, more personal, and meaningful way.
At the same time, this newly developed experience can serve as an excellent example of good practice, with strong potential for replication and adaptation in other parts of Kvarner and beyond. It actively fosters collaboration between artists, associations, and cultural professionals, further strengthening the local creative ecosystem and contributing to sustainable destination development.
