Croatia Airlines serves in-flight Slavonian Snacks
In the period between 1st August and 30th November 2022, the Osijek-Baranja County Tourist Board, the Croatian National Tourist Board, and Croatia Airlines are running a joint promotion campaign called the Flavours of Slavonia. More specifically, passengers on all flights operated by Croatia Airlines, Croatia’s flag carrier, are served a Slavonian meal, which is not only a special experience, but also promotes the Osijek-Baranja County as a tourist destination, as well as the culinary culture and tradition of the regions of Slavonia, Baranja, and Syrmia. In this way, more than 600,000 passengers on 10,000 flights to 30 international and national destinations could taste Slavonia’s delicacies, and experience Slavonia’s destinations.
To mark this occasion, today (29th August 2022), a press conference was held at Osijek Airport, at which the Flavours of Slavonia campaign was presented by the General Manager of Osijek Airport, Ivan Kos, the CEO of the Osijek-Baranja County Tourist Board, Ivana Jurić, Director of the Commercial Division at Croatia Airlines, Slaven Žabo, the Deputy Mayor of Osijek, Dragan Vulin, and the Osijek-Baranja County Prefect, Ivan Anušić.
At the opening, the General Manager of Osijek Airport, Ivan Kos, thanked Croatia Airlines for their partnership on the Flavours of Slavonia project, and expressed his belief that, thanks to this unique project, Slavonia and Baranja will be presented to all passengers on all flights.
– In collaboration with the Croatian National Tourist Board, and Croatia Airlines, the Flavours of Slavonia project will keep the fruits of Slavonia and Baranja in the air for four months. By promoting the flavours of Slavonia, this project invites you to visit the destination itself because one of the first things that you associate Slavonia and Baranja, and the Osijek-Baranja County as the largest tourist county in eastern Croatia with is good food. This only confirms that there’s much hedonistic pleasure to be had in the east, which includes a lot of good food and drinks, as well as events. We’re happy that, in this way, we get to promote the destination not only on national, but also on international flights, and that we get to continue collaborating with Osijek Airport, the Osijek-Baranja County, the City of Osijek, and the Croatian National Tourist Board – said the CEO of the Osijek-Baranja County Tourist Board, Ivana Jurić.
She explained that the Slavonian Snacks project is part of the Croatia, Full of Flavours platform, which is a project set up and managed by the Croatian National Tourist Board. She also presented the snack boxes served to passengers. They contain the following: red paprika flavoured cornmeal crackers whose flavours are reminiscent of the region of Baranja, freshwater fish stew called fiš paprikash, and other cured meat product flavours, pork crackling spread, kulen salami, pickled vegetables, and for dessert a modern interpretation of a paw-shaped walnut biscuit called šapa. The snack boxes vary in size; the smallest snack is served on shorter domestic flights, and contains only red paprika flavoured cornmeal crackers, while the biggest snack box is served on longer international flights, and contains all of the above.
Commercial Division Director at Croatia Airlines, Slaven Žabo, pointed out that, on this joint project, which stems from the broader Croatia, Full of Flavours project run by the Croatian National Tourist Board, a whole range of in-flight products and/or meals were created looking to present Slavonia’s traditional specialities, spices, and other products.
– This joint project is the culmination of collaboration between Croatia Airlines, the Osijek-Baranja County Tourist Board, the City of Osijek, and Osijek Airport, via which we introduced the Osijek-Munich international route, on which flights are operated all year round. Besides enriching the in-flight services of Croatia Airlines, the added value of this project is that we have created the necessary preconditions for the promotion of this region’s culinary specialities – said Slaven Žabo.
The Deputy Mayor of Osijek, Dragan Vulin, expressed satisfaction with knowing that, as he said, the best possible flavours will now be served to all Croatia Airlines passengers, which will contribute to the branding of the foods of this region. He pointed out that, compared to last year, Osijek has recorded a 55 percent increase in arrivals, and a 28 percent increase in overnight stays, and that last year’s record results for August were beaten by 25th August this year.
– The Slavonian Snacks project is an extension of the activities promoting Slavonia and Baranja, which we launched and promoted several years ago. We’re continuing to collaborate with Croatia Airlines, the Osijek-Baranja County Tourist Board, the Croatian National Tourist Board, and the City of Osijek. We’re glad that some 600,000 passengers flying on many routes, from Zagreb to destinations around the world, will get to experience and taste our Slavonian snack. Increasing the visibility and quality of our products and services is our goal – said the Osijek-Baranja County Prefect, Ivan Anušić. He added that the Osijek-Baranja County’s tourism industry results this year are better than in the record year of 2019, and that the Osijek-Baranja County is looking to remain a leader in the development of Croatia’s continental tourism, which is why it continues to strengthen its tourism industry and economy in all segments.