John Malkovich, and Croatian football team promote Croatian tourism in Alexandria (video)

A promotional event titled "Croatia in the Game - Tourism, Sport, Culture, Flavors" was held at the AKA Alexandria hotel, which is home to the Croatian national football team.

The event was organized by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Croatia and the Croatian National Tourist Board, in cooperation with the Croatian Football Association.

In addition to numerous distinguished American guests, partners and media, the main guests were one of the most respected American actors John Malkovich, who had the main role in the new promotional film for Croatian tourism, the Minister of Tourism and Sports Tonči Glavina, the Director of the Croatian National Tourist Board Kristjan Staničić, the President of the Croatian Football Association Marijan Kustić, the players of the Croatian national football team led by coach Zlatko Dalić, as well as legendary Croatian basketball player Toni Kukoč.

The program also premiered a new promotional film for Croatian tourism in which the main role is played by famous actor of Croatian roots John Malkovich, who also became a Croatian citizen in May.

“Thank you for all the emotions and love, for the attention you give us. All this means a lot to us, this is an additional motivation for us,” Dalić addressed the audience.

“At the last two World Cups, we won two medals and created a sporting miracle that the whole world admires. Everyone wonders how it is possible that a country with such a small population can achieve such great things. We have quality, we have talent. We play for the national team with special pride and passion. Be with us, we will need your support, Croatia loves itself both when it wins and when it loses,” added Dalić, earning a big round of applause from those present.

The players and the national team did not stay too long at the reception, but there was enough time for numerous selfies and autographs. Perišić and Modrić also spent some time talking with basketball legend Kukoc, and the entire national team had their photo taken with Malkovich.

The president of the Croatian Football Association (HNS), Marijan Kustić, said that he was looking forward to such events, which unite Croatia and the Croatian diaspora, and thanked the organizers.

“All of this can be a source of pride for our Croatia,” said Kustić.

Minister of Sports and Tourism Tonči Glavina emphasized that this is a special evening celebrating the many ties between Croatia and the United States.

“As a young country searching for its place in these difficult times, our athletes have done a great job opening doors that diplomacy could not,” said the minister, who also highlighted personal ties with the United States.

“I lived in the United States for almost ten years, and my wife is from California,” added Glavina, noting that legendary tennis player Rafael Nadal and NBA star LeBron James are currently in Dubrovnik, following the races of the E1 electric powerboat championship.

Director of the Croatian Tourist Board Kristjan Staničić emphasized that tonight we are celebrating Croatian and American friendship, and we are also celebrating the Croatian national team that has made us proud many times.

He said that the United States and Croatia have shared strong ties in tourism and sports for years, recalling the first match of Croatia played in October 1990 against the American team. He also mentioned numerous Croatian athletes who have had great careers in the US, such as Krešimir Ćosić, Dražen Petrović and Toni Kukoč, as well as mixed martial arts legend Stipe Miočić and Bill Belichick, the legendary NFL coach.

“American interest in Croatia as a tourist destination is growing every year. The USA is the most important distant market for Croatia. We want to attract American tourists with the quality and diversity of products, hospitality, and natural beauty and heritage. At the same time, we want to be innovative and original. This approach is reflected in the new tourism promotional video,” added Stanišić, thanking the Croatian national team for everything it does to promote Croatia in the world.

The program was brilliantly hosted by Marina Jurica Preston, chief meteorologist for CBS News and a scientist. Jurica Preston joined CBS News in September 2023, after spending four years at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. She has worked on many NASA missions, and before that she worked as a meteorologist for 20 years. She is an Emmy Award winner.

“I am a proud Croatian American whose parents were born in Croatia, my mother in Opatija and my father on Lastovo. Croatia has never been a place on a map for us, but rather a part of our home, tradition, language and identity,” she said.

“Croatia shows that results are not measured by size, but by heart,” she added, wishing the Croatian football team a long stay in the USA.

Source: HRT