Kuzmanovi Dvori: The Path To The Green Destinations Certificate

There are places that tell stories, and then there are places that literally live the story. Kuzmanovi Dvori - Šokačka villa located in the heart of Slavonia, in the village of Štitar, is one such place. More than a century old, this villa has stood the test of time, retaining its original appearance and spirit of the past, while at the same time providing the comforts of modern life. In addition to being a witness of time, this unique house is also an example of sustainable tourism, which is confirmed by the recently obtained prestigious Green Destinations Good Travel Seal Level 1 certificate. But how did "Kuzmanovi Dvori" become the owners of this important certificate and what does it mean?

In short, Green Destinations is a global organization that promotes sustainability in tourism. Their Good Travel Seal certificate ensures that the destination or accommodation not only meets certain standards of sustainable business but also actively contributes to the preservation of the environment, culture, and local community. Obtaining this certificate means that the destination respects rigorous ecological, social, and cultural criteria and actively works to reduce the negative impact of tourism on the environment. The certificate is awarded in several levels, and Level 1 represents the basic level that confirms compliance with the most important sustainability standards.

For the owners of "Kuzmanovi Dvori", obtaining the Green Destinations Good Travel Seal Level 1 certificate is a recognition of their efforts to preserve the authenticity and the values they promote through sustainable business. According to the owner's words, we have to agree: "Sustainable business is the only way to preserve the values that are important to us in promoting tradition and authenticity." In the long term, only if we approach tourism in this way, we can continue to tell the story we are telling, and at the same time become better and better". With the support of the Tourist Board of Vukovar-Srijem County, which also strives for sustainable certification, Kuzmanovi Dvori was recognized as an object worthy of certification.

However, obtaining the Green Destinations certificate was not an easy task. The certification process, which began in April, involved participating in various webinars, collecting extensive evidence, and filling out a detailed questionnaire. Kuzmanovi Dvori had to meet a series of strict criteria divided into ten categories. Each category encompasses different aspects of sustainable business, from waste reduction to cultural preservation. Although at this stage it was necessary to collect around a hundred pieces of evidence, including invoices, photographs, and statements that proved the application of sustainable practices, it is important to note that the process may seem daunting, however, with the right guidance and support, any accommodation can find ways to meeting these criteria, and many of them already apply sustainable practices that can be easily documented.

One of the key parts of the process was the audit, which was carried out in mid-July. The audit was essential to confirm that all the practices that were reported were implemented in the day-to-day operations. In the end, they received the certificate at the end of July, and they attribute the success of this process to their dedication, but also to the help of the Good Travel Seal agency, which supported them throughout the entire process.

Through their high ratings, we can highlight the „food and products“ category, where they scored 94%. The food served to the guests comes from local cultivation, and the products for hygiene and space maintenance are biodegradable and environmentally friendly. All the products used in the house come from local craftsmen and suppliers, and the furniture and building materials are original Slavonian or handmade.

The category in which they also achieved a high score, but also one of the most important, was „waste reduction“, where they achieved an impressive 88%. They solved their waste reduction process by adequately separating it. In their house, there are bins for separating waste of different materials, and they use a composter for biodegradable waste. Also, as we have already mentioned, all the products used to maintain the space do not pollute the earth, and they do not use pesticides in the maintenance of plants and yards. In the facility, they avoid single-use plastic and buy products in large packages, which they pour into dispensers.

For the category „care for nature“ and „good employment“ they achieved a solid 50%, and the owners explained that they are satisfied with the score achieved, considering that they are a small holiday home that does not have a single employee, while to achieve a score of more than 50% still needed a larger capacity than the one they currently have.

However, they achieved an outstanding score of 100% for „cultural preservation“ thanks to activities aimed at preserving the local cultural heritage. Workshops on local customs (weaving, embroidery of traditional Slavonic motifs), and research on the folk costumes of Štitar took place in the house, and numerous gatherings of the local community were organized. This commitment to the preservation of cultural heritage not only impressed the auditors but won the hearts of all those who participated in these activities. Through workshops, research, and gatherings, Kuzmanovi Dvori have become a meeting place between the past and the present, where guests can experience authentic moments of Slavonian tradition, as well as the flavors of Slavonian cuisine. The local community has recognized the value of these activities because they not only preserve cultural heritage, but also create opportunities for connecting generations - older people, who proudly pass on their knowledge, and younger people, who happily adopt it.

For the following year, the auditor gave them several useful recommendations, one of which was the introduction of energy efficiency certificates. They also recommended considering switching to renewable energy sources, instead of the current wood-burning fireplace. Although the owners admit that such changes are currently pending, they recognize them as necessary steps for the future. In addition to the above, they plan to ensure that all guest instructions on the rational use of energy are written in English, which is one of the simpler steps to take.

The Green Destinations Good Travel Seal Level 1 certificate is only a formal confirmation of what „Kuzmanovi Dvori“ has always been - an example of responsible and sustainable tourism, where environmental awareness, care for the local community, and preservation of tradition are intertwined into a unique experience for every visitor. Through this certificate, they set the standard for sustainable tourism not only in Slavonia but also beyond.

For the owners, this certificate is a recognition of many years of effort and work, but also an obligation to continue implementing sustainable practices. All their future projects and plans are aimed at further improvement and preservation of this harmonious coexistence of humans, nature, and tradition.

Kuzmanovi Dvori thus became a destination that offers much more - a place that tells the story of past times, while at the same time looking at the future through the prism of sustainability. Thanks to the certificate and the owner's efforts, this story will continue to be told for generations to come.