Kranj, the third largest city in Slovenia, received the award from the European Commission, the executive body of the European Union, for its work as a sustainable tourism destination.

The city, which was twinned with Oldham County borough back in 1961, is located in the mountainous Upper Carniola region of Slovenia.

The modern concept of twin towns, or sister cities, was introduced following the Second World War as a way of establishing solidarity links.

A total of 20 destinations competed for the 2023 award, of which three were shortlisted to present in front of the European jury in Brussels earlier this month.

Kranj beat out Grevena in Greece and Larnaca in Cyprus to win the title.

The current 2022 title belongs to Middlefart in Denmark.

The European Commission said Kranj stood out as a ‘role model’ for other destinations.

The city was praised for its ‘green team’, made up of 16 members from different institutions, who discuss and collect data, formulate targets and work together towards sustainable tourism.

The city’s ‘Kranj Long Table’ event was also praised – a plastic-free food event with a climate-friendly menu, designed to minimize food waste and focus on locally sourced, seasonal, ingredients.

The carbon footprint of the event was measured, and thirty meals were additionally prepared for families in need.

The European Destination of Excellence Award, also known as EDEN, is an EU initiative with the aim of recognising and rewarding smaller destinations with successful strategies to boost sustainable tourism.

Matjaž Rakovec, mayor of Kranj, praised Vice-Mayor Janez Černe for his presentation.

The European Commission said Kranj stood out as a ‘role model’ for other destinations (Image: VisitKranj)

He said: “This victory is the result of good teamwork between the Municipality of Kranj, the Kranj Tourism and Culture Board and other stakeholders working with us in the field of sustainable development, as well as of the support of the citizens.

“Projects such as the Golden Label of Slovenian Tourism, the award for the most e-mobile municipality in Slovenia, the green culinary event Kranj Long Table and the SOS Proteus Information Centre have convinced the European Commission.

“We are delighted that they have recognised our sustainability efforts. This is a great achievement for Kranj, we are very enthusiastic about it.”

Klemen Malovrh, director of the Kranj Tourism and Culture Board, said: “The EDEN Destination 2023 title is a great opportunity for Kranj to increase its tourist arrivals.

“It also puts Kranj much higher on the tourism map both in Slovenia and abroad. It is also an incentive for further development of sustainable tourism products.”