Project management as an important instrument of modern management and public-private partnership as model of public and private sector collaboration were systematically studied in last 20 years. However, correlation and interdependence of project management and public-private partnership is not adequately researched in theory and established in practice, especially considering tourism. Either in Croatian or in international proportions, dominant model of public-private partnership in tourism and systematic project management methodology in public-private partnerships in tourism do not exist. In consideration of the problem and subjects of research, the following research hypothesis was formulated: Modern project management approach enables commercial transformation of public sector and partnership, as premise of tourism development at all management levels. The purpose and aim of this thesis were to research the theoretical determinants and strategic frame of project management and public-private partnership in tourism, to establish public and private sector criteria for implementing partnership in tourism, to select the most appropriate partnership model considering Croatian tourism and to define the project management methodology on selected partnership model. The research results have confirmed the hypothesis set. Community welfare for public sector and newly created accumulation (profit) for private sector have been identified as the key criteria in the process of public private partnership model selection. On the basis of these criteria, while recognizing the importance of ownership over potentially attractive tourist locations at the same time, BOT (Build – Operate – Transfer) model is selected as optimal in relation to the needs and expectations of Croatian tourism. The methodology of project management is implemented on selected BOT model and cooperation on specific project activities is pointed out which satisfy at the same time both basic direct economic indicators of profitability preferred from private partner and wider social impacts preferred from public partner. Presented case studies of the selected model have confirmed the results of the research.