Our partner's sustainable tourism project is among the best in the world!

The Green Destinations Top 100 Story Awards have been held every year at ITB Berlin since 2014, where the most inspiring initiatives in the development of sustainable tourism are awarded in six different categories based on the Green DestinationsTop 100 Stories nominations. The applications participating in the competition are judged by an international jury representing all regions of the world. The award was received by István Rozgonyi, Mayor of Bodrogkeresztúr, and Nagy Júlia, Managing Director of Green Destinations’ Hungarian representation, Innotime Hungary Kft. 

The award-winning project, submitted by the Tokaj Borvidék Fejlődéséért Nonprofit Kft., is based on the protection of the local white storks, and focuses on Fülöp, the village’s iconic stork. His story has already attracted many visitors to the area, who can not only observe the storks but also get involved in the local community’s environmental and ecotourism activities.

„The award from Green Destinations is a huge confirmation for us that we are on the right track. We are proud that our project adds value not only to the freshmen, but also to the local community, and further strengthens Bodrogkeresztúr's reputation as a responsible and attractive tourist destination,” said the mayor of the town, István Rozgonyi, at the award ceremony. 

The Bodrogkeresztúr Stork Rescue Project is one of the initiatives that creates real change through an innovative combination of nature conservation and sustainable tourism. As part of the project, various information programs and interactive tours are offered, giving visitors the opportunity to gain a deeper insight into the lives of storks and the importance of protecting local biodiversity.

Thanks to the enthusiastic work of a local volunteer, Katalin Varga, detailed statistics on the day-to-day changes in the settlement's stork population are available in the settlement. One example of community formation is the "Fülöp the Stork" running race, which has been held for years on Fülöp's name day, organized by the Bodrogkeresztúr Jövőjéért Egyesület, and as a result of the work of the Green Circle, an environmental education center has been established, which is specifically designed to introduce storks. Local volunteers welcome visitors with several programs focusing on storks, including the annual stork ringing, and the Füleky Winery in Kersztúr has named one of its wines after Fülöp. In connection with the Fülöp the Stork Camp, visitors can also learn about the wildlife of the Bodrog and Bodrogzug, in the settlement's tourism mobile application, which is available at www.bodrogkeresztur.eu can be downloaded from the website, and you can get to know the wildlife of the area as part of a village walk. 

This international recognition is not only a highlight of the project, but also strengthens the eco- and active tourism appeal of the Tokaj wine region and Bodrogkeresztúr, offering an ideal destination for those who prefer close-to-nature experiences and sustainable tourism.

Bodrogkeresztúr's sustainability steps in the field of tourism can be easily tracked on the I-DEST.COM sustainable tourism website, where visitors can also learn about the story of Philip the Stork: https://i-dest.com/desztinacio/bodrogkeresztur

Applications for the 2025 Green Destinations TOP100 competition are open until March 31, 2025. Information about the program and application conditions can be found at Innotime Hungary Kft, the Hungarian representative of Green Destinations – www.innotime-hungary.com