Oldham’s twin city Kranj is a European destination of excellence
One of Oldham’s twin cities has been awarded the European Destination of Excellence 2023 award.
Kranj, the third largest city in Slovenia, received an award from the European Commission, the executive body of the European Union, for its performance as a sustainable tourism destination.
The town, which was twinned with Oldham County in 1961, is located in the mountainous Gornji Kranjska in Slovenia.
The modern concept of twin cities or sister cities was introduced after the Second World War as a way of building solidarity bonds.
A total of 20 destinations competed for the 2023 award, three of which were shortlisted for presentation to a European jury in Brussels earlier this month.
Kranj defeated Grevena in Greece and Larnaca in Cyprus for the championship title.
The current 2022 title belongs to Middlefart in Denmark.
The European Commission said that Kranj stands out as a “model” for other destinations.
The city was praised for its ‘green team’, which consists of 16 members from different institutions who discuss and collect data, formulate goals and work together towards sustainable tourism.
The city’s ‘Carnivoran Long Table’ event – a plastic-free food event with a climate-friendly menu designed to reduce food waste and focusing on locally grown, seasonal ingredients – was also praised.
They measured the carbon footprint of the event and additionally prepared thirty meals for families in need.
The European Destination of Excellence Award, also known as EDEN, is an EU initiative that aims to recognize and reward smaller destinations with successful strategies to promote sustainable tourism.
Matjaž Rakovec, the mayor of Kranj, praised deputy mayor Janez Černet for his presentation.
He said: “This victory is the result of the good cooperation of the Municipality of Kranj, the Institute for Tourism and Culture of Kranj and other stakeholders who cooperate with us in the field of sustainable development, as well as the support of citizens.
“Projects such as the Golden Sign of Slovenian Tourism, the award for the most e-mobile municipality in Slovenia, the green culinary event Kranjska dolga miza and the SOS Proteus Information Center convinced the European Commission.
“We are glad that they recognized our sustainability efforts. This is a great achievement for Kranj, we are very excited about it.”
Klemen Malovrh, director of the Institute for Tourism and Culture of Kranj, said: “The title EDEN destination 2023 is an excellent opportunity for Kranj to increase the number of tourists.
“Kranj also places itself much higher on the tourist map in Slovenia and abroad. It is also an incentive for the further development of sustainable tourism products.”