Local Host – a new standard for Croatian family accommodation
The Croatian National Tourist Board, in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism and Sport, this year launched the „Your Host / Local Host“ label to recognise family accommodation offering guests Croatia's most valuable assethousehold warmth, connection to local life, and an experience that goes beyond the traditional concept of a tourist stay. This label serves as a kind of guide for travellers who wish to stay with hosts whose service combines authenticity, professionalism, and a responsible attitude towards the community and the environment.
The central importance of this initiative was further confirmed at this year's Days of Croatian Tourism in Dubrovnik last month, where awards were presented to the best Croatian hosts. Among them, Selma Seifert particularly stood out, the overall winner and owner of the holiday home Divjake Log Home – Queen of the Forest in Gorski Kotar. Her approach to hospitality exemplifies the essence of the Local Host concept: warm human relationships, respect for tradition and nature, and a commitment to creating an environment where guests feel like part of the local story. A stay at her home is not just a holiday, but an immersion into the rhythm of the forest and Gorski Kotar customs – an experience that remains in memory long after returning home.
No, Selma is not the only one. The awards recognised hosts from all over Croatia, people whose work proves that the quality of family accommodation does not depend on the size of the establishment but on attention to detail, approach to guests and understanding of the local tradition they represent. Their houses and apartments become small ambassadors of their destinations, and the hosts are key carriers of the positive impression that guests take away with them.
What makes the Local Host label special is its clear structure and standardised criteria. Those who wish to become label holders undergo a self-assessment process through the eVisitor system, after which it is checked whether they meet the conditions related to the quality of service, authenticity of the offer, guest care, environmental awareness, and knowledge of local specifics. Thus, a host does not become a label holder just because they have nice accommodation, but because they understand the broader context of tourism and actively contribute to the preservation of local identity. Everyone who meets the criteria receives a physical plaque and a digital badge, and after three years, they undergo the verification process again to maintain the standard.
From the guests' perspective, a Local Host guarantees that at their destination, they will find a host prepared to invest time, knowledge, and personal enthusiasm into their stay. This means a personal approach, recommendations that help uncover the destination beyond the most well-known tourist routes, and a feeling of security and welcome that doesn't come from formal service, but from the host's genuine desire for the guest to leave satisfied and enriched with new experiences. It is precisely this kind of contact that distinguishes family accommodation from any other type of tourist offering.
For hosts themselves, the designation represents a valuable market advantage. It helps them stand out in a competitive environment, attract travellers looking for accommodation with local character, and participate in promotional activities by the Croatian National Tourist Board in target markets. At the same time, the awarding process encourages continuous improvement of quality and education for hosts, thereby contributing to the professionalisation of the entire sector.
The "Your Host / Local Host" label becomes a thread that connects the best of Croatian family accommodation: tradition, authenticity, responsibility, and the warmth of hospitality.
The recipients of this year's awards demonstrate the strong impact an individual can have on a destination's experience. In a time of global trends and increasingly competitive offerings, it is precisely the host that remains what the guest most often remembers. And that is also the greatest value of Croatian tourism.
