Bilogora seeing a tourism boom
- by croatiaweek
- in News
The Bilogora region in central Croatia is becoming increasingly popular among tourists.
According to data from the Bilogora-Bjelovar Tourist Board, overnight stays have risen by more than 50% over the past seven years.
Investment in tourism is also on the rise, with a growing number of holiday homes being developed in the area.
Just a few kilometres from Bjelovar, on the slopes of Bilogora in Stanići, the Kovač family recently built a holiday home equipped with a heated outdoor pool, a jacuzzi, a sauna, a fitness area, and various other amenities.
The house can accommodate up to eight guests.
“For New Year’s, the house is already booked. We’ve also received inquiries for January, so we’ll see how that goes. We haven’t finalised all bookings yet, but given that the house has only been listed for a few days, we’re very pleased with the views and responses. Rentals will mainly be on a weekly basis,” Damir Kovač, the owner of the holiday home in Stanići, told HRT.
The owners plan to rent the property for more than five months a year. They are among 12 recipients of the latest round of city tourism grants, receiving €6,000 in support.
“In recent years, as we’ve promoted tourism and developed infrastructure, overnight stays have grown significantly. Over time, entrepreneurs have recognised the potential here, and Bilogora now offers a variety of attractions,” emphasised Dario Hrebak, Mayor of Bjelovar.
Investment in tourist accommodation with additional amenities has attracted new visitors eager to explore the charms of Bilogora.
“The public calls for grants have shown that investing in tourism pays off. Over the past three years, since we started these initiatives, more than 350 new beds have been added, leading not only to increased overnight stays but also to the development of complementary offerings like tasting rooms, restaurants, and family farms. Many locals have recognised opportunities to diversify into tourism,” said Ana Kelek, Director of the Bilogora-Bjelovar Tourist Board.
At the beginning of next year, a new city grant programme will launch, offering €100,000 to support tourism investments in the Bjelovar area.