Opatija at MEETEX 2026: new contacts and a stronger congress offering
Break The Ice Forum, an international MICE B2B workshop specialising in the meetings and incentives segment, took place from 18 to 20 June 2026 in Poreč, with the Croatian National Tourist Board as one of the event partners, alongside the Istria Tourist Board. The selection of the newly opened 5* Pical Resort to host the Forum further highlighted Croatia's growing competitiveness in the business tourism segment.
This year's Forum was attended by 60 international buyers and 57 representatives of hotel groups, DMC agencies, convention bureaux and other service providers from the MICE sector. The format of the Forum included pre-scheduled meeting itineraries, which enabled participants to network effectively, exchange experiences and create new business opportunities, while the local DMC agency Intours was responsible for the overall organisation of the event.
The programme was enriched with destination activities through which participants had the opportunity to experience authentic Istria, from visiting the Rossi winery and tasting premium Istrian wines, through a tour of the historic centre of Poreč and the UNESCO-protected Euphrasian Basilica, to an excursion to Motovun which included a traditional truffle hunt and an introduction to the rich gastronomic offer of continental Istria.
It is worth adding that as part of the workshop, the new promotional film for Croatian tourism starring John Malkovich – "CROATIA - I hear it's beautiful" – was also screened, attracting great interest from the audience and receiving exceptionally positive reactions.
The continuous interest of international event organisers confirms that Croatia is increasingly strengthening its position on the European MICE map. Workshops like this provide a valuable platform for connecting domestic and foreign partners, while simultaneously offering an opportunity to promote Croatian destinations, hotel infrastructure and authentic experiences that make our country a desirable destination for business gatherings throughout the year.
