Dubrovnik Leads The Way In Sustainable Tourism And Wins World’s Leading Destination Award For 2025 Bringing Croatia Into The Spotlight

Published on November 21, 2025

Dubrovnik has earned the prestigious title of World’s Leading Sustainable Destination for 2025, thanks to its groundbreaking initiatives in managing tourism sustainably. The city’s “Respect the City” program, launched in 2017, has successfully balanced the needs of a booming tourism industry with the preservation of its cultural heritage, making it a global model for responsible travel. Through innovative solutions like electric car-sharing, AI-driven traffic management, and real-time visitor monitoring, Dubrovnik has demonstrated how a destination can thrive economically while protecting its environment and enhancing the quality of life for its residents. This recognition highlights Dubrovnik’s leadership in sustainable tourism, offering a blueprint for other cities worldwide.

Dubrovnik Earns Title of World’s Leading Sustainable Destination for 2025

Dubrovnik, a UNESCO World Heritage city renowned for its historical charm and cultural significance, has been named the World’s Leading Sustainable Destination for 2025 at the prestigious World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards (WSTHA). This announcement, made in Dubai, marks a significant milestone for the Croatian city, which has gained recognition for its innovative approach to managing sustainable tourism. The award was presented at a ceremony held at Terra, Expo City Dubai, attended by industry leaders and sustainability experts from around the globe.

The recognition comes as a result of Dubrovnik’s comprehensive strategy, “Respect the City,” which began in 2017 and has now become a global model for managing hypertourism. The initiative, which blends economic development with cultural preservation, is aimed at balancing the needs of tourism with the protection of Dubrovnik’s unique heritage, ensuring both residents and visitors benefit from the city’s thriving tourism industry. By prioritizing sustainability, Dubrovnik has not only focused on managing visitor numbers but also on maintaining the city’s vibrancy and quality of life for its citizens.

One of the most notable aspects of the “Respect the City” initiative is its emphasis on technological innovation. The city introduced Croatia’s first electric car-sharing service, contributing to cleaner transportation options for both locals and tourists. Dubrovnik has also implemented an advanced artificial intelligence system for traffic forecasting, designed to predict and manage congestion, making it easier to navigate the city while minimizing environmental impacts.

In addition to these innovations, Dubrovnik has introduced the Dubrovnik Pass, which serves as both a tourism tool and a real-time management system for visitor flows. This pass allows tourists to access key attractions while also providing city officials with data to monitor and manage crowds more efficiently. Moreover, the city has put in place a reservation system for tourist buses, helping to control the flow of large groups to popular sites and reduce the pressure on certain areas. This system is complemented by close collaboration with the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) to better manage cruise ship traffic. The port authorities have actively worked to reduce congestion during peak times, ensuring that the arrival of cruise ships does not overwhelm the city’s infrastructure.

These measures, along with other sustainable practices, have produced measurable results. Dubrovnik’s sustainability index, as defined by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), has improved by an impressive 16% over the past four years, increasing from 70% in 2019 to 86.04% in 2023. This upward trend is a testament to the city’s commitment to sustainable development and its success in addressing the challenges of mass tourism while preserving its cultural and natural resources.

The World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards (WSTHA) are held in collaboration with the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance (WSHA), a global organization representing more than 66,000 hotels, 300 brands, and over 100 strategic partners worldwide. The alliance’s mission is to promote sustainability in the travel and hospitality industries, and the WSTHA serves as a platform for recognizing destinations and businesses that lead the way in sustainable practices.

Dubrovnik’s achievement has garnered praise for its holistic and proactive approach to tourism management. The city’s sustainable tourism efforts have set an example for other popular tourist destinations, particularly those in Europe, that are grappling with similar issues of overcrowding and environmental impact. Dubrovnik’s ability to balance the demands of tourism with the preservation of its cultural heritage provides a valuable blueprint for cities worldwide seeking to achieve a sustainable equilibrium between economic growth and environmental stewardship.

In particular, the award underscores the importance of managing tourist flows rather than focusing on absolute visitor numbers. By actively controlling the volume and distribution of visitors, Dubrovnik has demonstrated that a well-managed tourism model can lead to long-term benefits for both the local community and the environment. This approach aligns with a growing global trend towards sustainable tourism, where destinations strive to preserve their natural and cultural assets while ensuring that tourism remains a source of economic vitality.

The success of Dubrovnik’s sustainable tourism efforts has sparked interest in other Mediterranean destinations, especially those in Greece, where similar concerns about managing tourism growth and maintaining a balance between residents’ quality of life and the needs of tourists are prevalent. As the tourism industry in the region continues to evolve, Dubrovnik’s example provides valuable lessons in the practical application of sustainability principles. By prioritizing collaboration, technology, and responsible visitor management, Dubrovnik has shown that it is possible to protect the planet while developing tourism in a way that benefits everyone involved.

Dubrovnik’s recognition as the World’s Leading Sustainable Destination for 2025 not only highlights its achievements but also underscores the broader global shift towards responsible tourism. As more destinations seek to emulate Dubrovnik’s success, it is clear that sustainable practices are no longer optional but essential for the long-term health of the tourism industry and the planet.