Hauliers Association Offers Buses for Refugees From Ukraine
ZAGREB, 27 Feb 2022 - The Croatian Bus Hauliers Association said on Sunday it put its buses and manpower at the government's disposal for the transport of refugees from Ukraine.
"We wish to contribute... because that's our responsibility, and it's also the only way in which refugees can be transported in an organised and effective way from the Ukrainian border to envisaged locations in Croatia," Dražen Divjak, director general of the Arriva bus company, said on the association's behalf.
The association comprises big and small private hauliers with thousands of buses and more than 8,000 workers.
"It's a system which has strategic importance for Croatia and which would hardly have survived during the pandemic had the government not protected it with its measures in the last two years," the association said.
Divjak called on the many counties in Croatia which have said that they have prepared accommodation for refugees to contact them, in coordination with the Civil Protection, so that they can transport a larger number of refugees.
He said the bus hauliers were at the government's disposal "for anything else that is necessary to solve this crisis."
For more on the Ukraine crisis and Croatia, as well as breaking news, follow our news section.
Aeroflot Cancels Zagreb Flights, Croatia Bans Russian Airlines
February 27, 2022 - The latest flight news to Croatia as Aeroflot cancels Zagreb flights, and Prime Minister Andrej Plenković announces that Croatia bans Russian airlines.
Due to the Russian aggression on Ukraine, Western countries are imposing more and more sanctions on the Russian Federation. Among other things, more and more countries are banning the landing, take-off, and overflight of Russian airlines. The biggest restrictions on air traffic are expected since the end of the Cold War, reports Croatian Aviation.
An increasing number of European countries are banning Russian airline flights through their airspace, which is another blow to the Russian economy through air transport. Russia has reciprocally banned the overflight of aircraft and European countries that have introduced this restriction.
Russia's S7 Airlines has already cut off regular flights from Russia to European countries, explaining the move as a result of the ban on overflights of many European countries, which significantly complicates the planning of operations and increases fuel consumption, given that it is no longer possible to fly the shortest route on almost all routes.
It is also expected that a decision will be made at the European Union level to ban Russian aircraft from flying over the airspace of all EU member states, leaving Russian carriers unable to find an alternative and forced to cancel all operations. Thus, in addition to the disabled passenger transport, Russia will also be unable to transport cargo, which will directly affect the business of the airline and Russian airports.
Many critics reacted and called out the European Union for not withdrawing the move and closing the European skies to Russian carriers, but the fact is that there are certainly a large number of European citizens in Russia who now want to return to their home countries as soon as possible, and the same would be completely disabled by air in the event of an EU closure.
If that happens (and it most likely will), it will be the biggest restriction on air traffic since the end of the Cold War, but the move will not benefit either side.
Most European airlines use Russian airspace when flying from Europe to Asia and vice versa, given that this is the shortest route, but several carriers have already been banned from flying over Russian airspace (or they decided to do it for security reasons), so they fly a long way between Europe and Asia, avoiding Russian airspace.
In addition to all the above, the sanctions go in the direction of banning the export of spare parts for aircraft to Russia, which will further complicate the normal conduct of operations for Russian carriers.
In the coming days we can expect further bans from other European countries, as well as a decision at the EU level, which will, first of all, force Aeroflot, Russia's national airline, to cancel almost all flights to European cities, and consequently flights from St. Petersburg and Moscow to Zagreb. Several flights from Russia to Croatian airports have been announced for the summer, with about 50 weekly flights in the peak season. If the sanctions continue to be in force, Croatian airports will compensate for the lack of passengers from Russia by increasing demand from other markets, given that further recovery in air traffic due to the global pandemic is expected.
Aeroflot closed sales on all flights between Zagreb and Moscow today until March 27, and flights for tomorrow and the day after are currently canceled. It is a logical move after Italy banned the flight of aircraft registered in Russia, so now the closest route to Aeroflot is to Zagreb via Turkey and Greece. The Government is on the move, which is expected to decide on the ban on the entry of aircraft registered in Russia into Croatian airspace, which was confirmed by Prime Minister Andrej Plenković.
"The government has already made a political decision today to ban flights for our air traffic to Russian airlines. We will make appropriate decisions at the EU level. We will make a decision on the implementation of restrictive measures that will, given the dynamic situation in Ukraine, address this issue on a daily basis," Plenković said today for Index.hr.
A formal decision is expected on Monday, February 28, so with the entry into force of that decision, Aeroflot will no longer be able to fly to, from, or via Croatia.
For more on flights to Croatia and other travel announcements, make sure to check out our dedicated travel section.
Ukrainian Refugee Reception Centre Set up in Osijek
ZAGREB, 27 Feb 2022 - A reception centre for Ukrainian refugees has been set up in a sports hall in Osijek which can provide temporary accommodation for 300 persons, local Civil Protection services said.
The centre is intended for refugees arriving in the five Slavonia counties, Osijek-Baranja County deputy prefect Mato Lukić said on Sunday, adding that beds were set up in the sports hall and that meals will be provided today if necessary.
He said talks were under way with hotels and motels in the Osijek area for the provision of more permanent accommodation.
Lukić said one Ukrainian family arrived at the reception centre this morning to apply for refugee status, after which it found private accommodation in Vukovar-Srijem County.
Osijek Deputy Mayor Dragan Vulin said that, if necessary, buses would go to the Hungarian and Serbian borders to bring Ukrainian refugees to the reception centre in Osijek.
The director of the Osijek city branch of the Red Cross, Martina Hećimović, said search teams were ready for the registration of refugees as were psychosocial assistance teams.
She said many citizens were contacting the Red Cross to express their willingness to accommodate refugees.
For more on the Ukraine crisis and Croatia, as well as breaking news, follow our news section.
Croatia Logs 1,028 New Coronavirus Cases, 18 Deaths
ZAGREB, 27 Feb 2022 - In the last 24 hours 1,028 coronavirus cases out of 4,317 tests, and 18 related deaths have been registered in Croatia, the national COVID-19 crisis management team said on Sunday.
There are 14,515 active cases, including 1,381 hospitalised COVID patients, of whom 106 are hooked to ventilators, while 9,912 persons are self-isolating.
Croatia has registered 1,054,596 coronavirus cases to date, while the death toll stands at 15,030.
To date 56.84% of the total population has been vaccinated, i.e. 67.61% of adults, of whom 65.48% are fully vaccinated.
For all you need to know about coronavirus specific to Croatia, make sure to bookmark our dedicated section and select your preferred language if it isn't English.
2022 Split Marathon Winners Announced!
February 27, 2022 - Despite harsh weather, the 2022 Split Marathon was successfully held in the Old Town, with very good results for the Croatian runners and where the African competitors returned triumphantly, after not being able to participate last year due to travel restrictions.
This Sunday the 22nd edition of the Split Marathon was held, and the winners have already been announced. In the morning, at the Split Riva, a crowd of runners and supporters gathered to start the traditional marathon, which this year had to face harsh weather with low temperatures and strong winds, but which in no way lowered the spirits of those present.
The 2022 Split Marathon, unlike last year, was held at the end of February instead of September. Let us remember that in the previous edition the participants enjoyed sunny and pleasant weather, but those who attended today can attest that the event was held in the same spirit. The race started at 9 o'clock, and a great wave of runners, led by the main contenders, started from the Split Riva.
This year's edition marked the return of runners from the African continent, who unfortunately were unable to participate in the 2021 marathon due to travel restrictions in place at the time. However, their return to Split in 2022 was triumphant, taking top results in all marathon categories.
In the half marathon, Josea Kimeli Kisorio from Kenya was the first to cross the finish line with a time of 1:04:33. Croatian Silvije Tomac came in fifth place, with a time of 1:10:37.
''I'm happy, of course. This was my first race in Split and an immediate victory. I will definitely be back next year. Yes, it was cold, especially in some places where there was a strong wind. But, all in all, it was possible to endure'', said Kisorio.
Among the women, also in the half marathon, it was Cavaline Nahimana from Burundi who came out on top with a time of 1:13:42.
Clementine Mukandanga, winner of the 2022 Split Marathon Women's Competition. (Photo: Ivo Cagalj/PIXSELL)
Clementine Mukandanga, meanwhile, won the Split marathon and placed seventh overall. The Rwandan runner won with a time of 2:37:05. She was followed by the Czech Pastorova, who came in second, and third, fourth and fifth place went to three Croatians: Jasmina Ilijaš, Ingrid Nikolesić, and Kimberly Pašalić, respectively.
It was a great day for Rwanda, as Mukandanga was not the only one to celebrate, but also her compatriot Jean Baptiste Simukeka, who won the 2022 Split Marathon with a time of 2:21:22, first overall.
''I am very pleased with the victory. And the weather was good in the end considering the cold'', Simukeka said shortly, still breathing well.
Jean Baptiste Simukeka came in first place in the 2022 Split Marathon. (Photo: Ivo Cagalj/PIXSELL)
The Rwandan, crowned winner at the 2022 Split Marathon, came ahead of Morocco's Redouan Nouini. The Croatian Ivan Dračar, the winner of the previous edition, came third with a time of 2:27:28, certifying a day with very good results for the Croatian runners. His compatriot Kristijan Rubinić came fifth. The ninth was Goran Murić (2:42:13), and the tenth was Dalibor Vujević (2:43:40).
''The feeling is phenomenal. Winning third place in such strong competition is no small thing. The conditions did not go my way due to the wind. Until the 19th kilometer, I kept the connection with the two leaders, but in the end, I kept the pace and finished third, Dračar said.
Ivan Dračar, who won the 2021 Split Marathon, came in third this year. (Photo: Ivo Cagalj/PIXSELL)
''This was my third marathon and third podium. Last year I won in Zagreb and Split, and now a third place here. All in all, I am very pleased. The atmosphere, too, was great.'', he added.
The official results of the 2022 Split Marathon are as follows:
Half marathon (absolute)
1. Josea Kimeli Kisorio (Kenya) - 1:04:33
2. Szemerei Levente (Hungary) - 1:04:39
3. Gert-Jan Wassink (Netherlands) - 1:07:35
4. Đuro Borbelj (Serbia) - 1:09: 20
5. Silvije Tomac (Croatia) - 1:10:37
Women's Half Marathon (Absolute)
1. Cavaline Nahimana (Burundi) - 1:13:42
2. Anja Fink (Slovenia) - 1:17:15
3. Gresa Bakraci (Kosovo) - 1:17:24
4. Špela Gonza (Slovenia) - 1:18:39
5. Jasmina Pitamic Army (Slovenia) - 1:20:04
Marathon (absolute)
1. Jean Baptiste Simukeka (Rwanda) - 2:21:22
2. Redouan Nouini (Morocco) - 2:25:01
3. Ivan Dracar (Croatia) - 2:27:28
4. Fredrik Kallstrom (Sweden) - 2:34:28
5 Kristijan Rubinić (Croatia) - 2:34:57
Marathon (women - absolute)
1. Clementine Mukandanga (Rwanda) - 2:37:05
2. Petra Pastorova (Czech Republic) - 2:54:01
3. Jasmina Ilijaš (Croatia) - 2:58:50
4. Ingrid Nikolesić (Croatia) - 3:06:00
5. Kimberly Pašalić (Croatia) - 3:10:20
The 2022 Split Marathon was, overall, a huge success returning to its original date in February, and the harsh weather didn't get in the way. A great example that shows that the city of Split has plenty of reasons, as in the sports field, to be recognized as a destination to visit during the winter.
Source: Slobodna Dalmacija
To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page.
Croatian Red Cross Receives First Ukrainian Refugees
ZAGREB, 27 Feb 2022 - The Croatian Red Cross (HCK) said on Saturday it received the first Ukrainian refugees, with spokeswoman Katarina Zorić confirming they were five persons - a mother with two children and a married couple.
Speaking to Hina, she said the mother and children were brought to the reception location by police, while the married couple arrived alone.
"We expect more arrivals," Zorić said, although she could not confirm the location. According to unofficial reports, the refugees were received at Plitvice Motel near Zagreb.
The HCK said the refugees were given humanitarian aid and that teams for psychosocial support were ready.
Earlier on Saturday, the HCK said on Facebook their teams were prepared for receiving Ukrainian refugees.
The HCK is in contact with its colleagues in Ukraine who are helping people find accommodation and giving them water, clothes and hygienic supplies.
"We are following the instructions of the International Committee of the Red Cross, which is running the operation on the ground and responding to the needs of people from areas affected by the war conflict. The goal is clear, to ease the suffering of every person," the HCK said.
First Ukrainian refugee family arrives in Vukovar-Srijem County
A young Ukrainian refugee family with a ten-year-old child arrived in Vukovar-Srijem County on Saturday after travelling five days from Odessa, county head Damir Dekanić said.
An eastern Croatia reception centre for Ukrainian refugees has been set up in a sports hall in Osijek, he added.
For more on the Ukraine crisis and Croatia, as well as breaking news, follow our news section.
Plenković: Ukraine is Independent, Sovereign State
ZAGREB, 26 Feb 2022 - Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković on Saturday extended solidarity with and support to the people of Ukraine, saying that it is an independent and sovereign state.
"Solidarity with and support to the Ukrainian people. Ukraine is an independent and sovereign state. Croatia is with you!" he said on Twitter, tagging Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Prime minister Denys Shmyhal.
Earlier today Plenković met with members of the government, Civil Protection and the Red Cross in order to raise the level of preparedness regarding the reception of refugees from Ukraine.
For more on the Ukraine crisis and Croatia, as well as breaking news, follow our news section.
Valamar Riviera's Good Results Still Not Enough to Balance Pandemic Damage
February the 27th, 2022 - The global coronavirus pandemic which struck the leisure and tourism industry hard back in 2020 and 2021 is far from a distant memory for those working in the sector despite the much more favourable epidemiological situation now. Valamar Riviera, a very well known and wildly successful Croatian hotel company, still hasn't managed to make up for the damage the pandemic caused to its business operations despite an excellent result for tourism in 2021.
As Poslovni Dnevnik/Marija Crnjak writes, back in 2021, Croatia's Valamar Riviera generated operating revenues of an impressive 1.6 billion kuna, or 74 percent of what it made back in the pre-pandemic, record year of 2019, while its operating profit (EBITDA) reached the level of 84 percent of pre-crisis 2019.
In addition, in the third quarter of 2021, Valamar Riviera recorded the normalisation of its business operations in almost all of the destinations in which it operates up and down the country, achieving excellent results in Northern Adriatic destinations, on its campsites and in the premium segment. However, down south in Dubrovnik and in the 2 * and 3 * facilities, no significant business recovery was achieved, the company has since reported.
On top of all that, although the business results in 2021 were very positive, the realised losses from the coronavirus crisis period during the pandemic has largely not been covered by the company's recovery so far. Uncertainty in the wider environment will continue to affect tourism business and the economy in the near future, and the normalisation of tourism and its related business is expected during 2022 and 2023.
As it is known, back in 2021, Valamar Riviera started a new phase of growth by expanding its cooperation with investment partners across Croatia and the further internationalisation of its impressive portfolio in Austria, by buying its second hotel in Obertauern.
During the coronavirus pandemic, Valamar continued to develop its products, services and tourism portfolio with a two-year investment cycle spanning 2019/2021 in the amount of almost 870 million kuna. At the end of 2021, a new investment cycle in the amount of 525 million kuna was launched in facilities managed by Valamar with the aim of further developing the quality of its portfolio, resorts and camps, developing green tourism and digitalising its business processes.
Work is also currently underway on the investments of the Dalmatia Hotel [PLACES] by Valamar in Makarska, which is planned to open in May this year, as well as on the first fully sustainable eco-resort for family holidays, Valamar Amicor Green Resort on the central Dalmatian island of Hvar.
For more, check out our business section.
Croatian Food Prices Increase by Three Percent in Just One Month
February the 27th, 2022 - There has been a concerning three percent increase for Croatian food prices, which also regards certain drinks, in the space of just one single month. What's going to unfold as this situation continues is worrying for many.
As Novac/Jutarnji/Marina Klepo writes, back in January 2022, inflation accelerated further, to 5.7 percent when compared to the same month last year, while it was 0.3 percent on a monthly basis, according to the CBS. As such, the December (2021) record of 5.5 percent was exceeded and inflation reached its highest levels in Croatia since way back in October 2008. As was the case in previous months, the rise in prices is led by energy and food.
Pressure on Croatian food prices began back in the middle of last year due to developments on global markets, and partly due to unfavourable conditions here on the domestic market. In January, food and non-alcoholic beverages were as much as 9.4 percent more expensive than they were a year ago, and in just one month, prices jumped by 2.9 percent.
As food makes up a quarter of the average Croatian consumer basket, its impact on the overall level of inflation is also significant - amounting to 2.44 percent. Accelerated growth of energy prices continued, meaning that transport, which is primarily related to fuel, recorded double-digit annual growth of 10.8 percent, with a contribution to inflation growth of 1.59 percent.
In third place is the category of furniture and home furnishings with an annual growth of five percent and a monthly growth of 1.3 percent. Prices in Croatian restaurants and hotels, on the other hand, were 4.7 percent higher back in January and 0.4 percent higher than they were in the previous month of December.
According to the harmonised consumer price index used by Eurostat, inflation here in the Republic of Croatia back in January stood at 5.5 percent. At the same time, the average for the Eurozone was 5.1 percent, and for the European Union (EU) stood at 5.6 percent. The highest inflation rates are still being recorded in the Baltic countries: Lithuania with 12.3 and Estonia with 11 percent. The lowest price growth, on the other hand, has been seen France, 3.3 percent, and in Portugal, 3.4 percent.
In order to mitigate the impact of inflation on the cost of living, the government again administratively capped the country's fuel prices in early February, and then adopted a comprehensive package of measures worth 4.8 billion kuna, which will apply from the 1st of April. All hopes were that this rapid inflation would be temporary, that prices would slow down in the second half of the year, but Russia's invasion of Ukraine throws a spanner in the works of all previous forecasts.
"Although price growth is limited by government decisions and administrative restrictions on fuel prices, given recent events in Ukraine and the escalation of the conflict, our projections for this year are exposed primarily to rising risks," said RBA analysts, who expect an average consumer price growth rate in 2022 of 3.1 percent.
However, the Croatian National Bank (CNB/HNB) has previously warned that inflation could reach 4.5 to five percent this year. As things stand, that assessment could also undergo corrections. Initial estimates by global think tanks suggest that the key effects of the war in Eastern Europe will be higher inflation and slower economic growth.
If oil prices rise to $130 a barrel in the next few weeks and European gas prices to 180 euros per cubic metre, the contribution of energy to average headline inflation could increase, instead of falling gradually as was generally previously assumed. In addition to energy, rising Croatian food prices also seem inevitable, albeit with less of an impact on overall inflation, given that Russia and Ukraine export 25 to 30 percent of the world's wheat, and Ukraine is also a major exporter of corn.
As such, in the coming months, during the second quarter, it is estimated that in developed economies, the inflation rate could be at least a fifth higher than previously calculated and exceed six percent. However, according to Global Economics analysts, inflation should fall once again later in the year, partly due to base effects, but average inflation levels in developed economies, they estimate, could stay at around four percent by the end of the year.
For more on inflation and increasing Croatian food prices, check out our lifestyle section.
Dubrovnik Property Remains Extortionately Expensive, But Still Sought After
February the 27th, 2022 - Dubrovnik property prices have always been eye-wateringly expensive, and despite the turbulence felt across all sectors, including the property market, over the last two years, prices in Croatia's southernmost city remain sky high. That said, they're no less sought after...
As Poslovni Dnevnik/Marija Crnjak writes, demand for Dubrovnik property, more specifically apartments, is higher than the supply at the moment. Apartments in newer buildings, villas and building land are also in high demand in the extreme south of Dalmatia, Nada Burum, vice president of the Professional Group of Intermediaries, told local portal Dubrovacki vjesnik.
The census showed that the number of inhabitants is falling, and the number of housing units is, despite that, growing - 11 years ago down in Dubrovnik-Neretva County there were 40,668, and last year 72,792 housing units. In the wider Dubrovnik area, there are currently about 20 buildings under construction, and 90 percent of those apartments were sold at an early stage of their construction. Burum pointed out that the demand for Dubrovnik property has always been emphasised, but that several key factors in the last six months have influenced the rise in prices of new construction.
"Increased demand was largely due to inflation. Croatian buyers and foreign investors invest their money in property in order to preserve or increase the value of money. Another important factor is the rising cost of construction materials and labour shortages resulting in increased construction costs. These two key factors, as well as some others, such as Croatia's imminent entry into the Eurozone, have contributed to a significant rise in prices, so the average price of a new apartment in Dubrovnik is about 4,500 euros per square metre,'' explained Burum.
The average price of older apartments that are bought mostly for housing is about 3,500 euros per square metre, with differences existing depending on the location of said Dubrovnik property. The most expensive square metre costs around 7,000 euros, up in the area around the historic city centre and in the old city itself. Luxuriously furnished Dubrovnik property that serves for commercial purposes such as an investment for renting out to tourists can reach about 40 percent higher than the average.
According to Poslovni.hr, data from the Njuskalo platform shows that in Dubrovnik itself, an average of 4,151 euros is required for a square metre of a house, 2,033 euros in Split and 2,620 euros in Rovinj. In the past couple of years, the asking prices of apartments on the Croatian coast have grown, by an average of 2,974 euros per square metre in Split (+ 11.24%), in Zadar 2,398 euros (+ 12.37%), in Rovinj as much as 3,336 euros (+ 28.21%), and in Dubrovnik, which is the only one among them to record a decline, the highest remains - 3,575 euros (-6.61%). Demand prices for apartments have risen in Rijeka by 22 percent in the past two years, so now an average of 1,879 euros is required per square metre there.
Business premises on Stradun cost tens of thousands of euros per square metre, and that shouldn't come as much of a shock to anyone.
For more, check out our lifestyle section.
