October 7, 2020 - Medical professionals remain cautious, but German media reports that scientists in their country have evidence to suggest Sweet Wormwood is effective in treating COVID-19. Known as Slatki Pelin in Croatia, the plant grows in Dalmatia and Herzegovina

67-year-old German media outlet Deutsche Welle has written that scientists within their country have discovered that Sweet Wormwood is effective in treating COVID-19. The plant is known as Slatki pelin in Croatian and grows wild within inland Dalmatia and nearby Herzegovina.

Sweet Wormwood is known as Slatki pelin in Croatia and grows in Dalmatia and Herzegovina, where people have been using it in tea as a herbal remedy © Stefan.lefnaer

Scientists from the German Max-Planck Institute in Potsdam are researching how to treat patients with the plant. Though the World Health Organisation says there is currently no evidence that sweet wormwood helps in the treatment of COVID-19, Dr Andrea Jurić, acting director of the Institute of Public Health of West Herzegovina Canton, confirmed to Deutsche Welle that she was aware of the plant's positive effects on COVID-19 patients within Herzegovina. Some of the region's inhabitants have been using the plant to make tea for use as a herbal remedy for those who have COVID-19. Herbal remedies are commonly used across Bosnia and Herzegovina.

When asked about the German media report, Croatian Minister for Health Krunoslav Capak said that no comment could be made without recognised clinical trials having first been undertaken. “We in the medical profession are primarily guided by scientific research and clinical trials of drugs and medical procedures,” he said, after reminding journalists early reports that chloroquine and some other antiviral drugs were successful in treating COVID-19 had since been disproved by clinical trials. “Only when something is proved to be useful can we talk about it.”

Sweet Wormwood or Artemisia annua in Latin, is also sometimes known as Sweet Annie, Sweet Sagewort, Annual Mugwort and Annual Wormwood. It grows naturally in North America and in Asia too. In China, it has long been used in herbal medicine and is widely cultivated for that purpose. The plant already has an established reputation for combating malaria.

Sweet Wormwood © Kristian Peters

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ZAGREB, Oct 7, 2020 - Croatian hoteliers expect this year's revenues to drop 25-75% due to the COVID pandemic and half believe recovery will take two or more years, with holiday tourism expected to recover faster and convention tourism much slower, a director in the Horwath HTL consulting company says.

Such findings come from the company's analysis of the so-called COVID year in which the pandemic has affected every industry around the world, notably tourism.

Sinisa Topalovic says the forecasts for 2021 and the growth of the global GDP are somewhat encouraging, but that recovery by country will depend and be faster if they are industrially strong, while being harder and slower in those focused on services such as Croatia.

Global and country forecasts say consumption is expected to recover in 12 to 24 months, which is a very long time, notably in tourism, which has been globally affected by the pandemic, from air travel to the hotel industry, which are recording drops in revenues from 60% to 80%, and they will not recover soon, says Topalovic.

Croatia at EU's bottom in hotel occupancy but near the top in prices

In such circumstances, Croatia managed to generate above-average results when compared with the competition in the first eight months of the year, about 40% of last year's turnover, but next year could be at least 10 to 20 percentage points better, also thanks to this year's experience, according to a Horwath HTL analysis.

Croatia's average hotel occupancy rate in the first eight months of this year was 24%, ranking it at the bottom of the EU, but in terms of prices it ranks relatively high because during the short summer holiday season Croatian hoteliers managed to keep relatively good prices, which is good given that after being lowered due to the 2008-09 crisis, they took a long time to recover, says Topalovic.

Three markets saved the season

The analysis shows that only three markets, of the more than 70 from which tourists came to Croatia in the past, saved this year's season, generating up to 60% of the total turnover - Germany, Croatia, and Slovenia.

Croatian tourists "gave life to numerous destinations" and their arrivals and overnights registered the smallest decreases from the record year 2019, the analysis says.

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ZAGREB, Oct 7, 2020 - Over the past 24 hours 363 new coronavirus cases have been registered in Croatia, bringing the number of active cases to 1,830, and five persons have died, the national COVID response team said on Wednesday.

Currently, 344 patients are hospitalized, including 26 on ventilators, while 9,675 persons are self-isolating.

Since February 25, when the first infection was registered in Croatia, 18,447 persons have been infected with the virus, of whom 309 have died, while 16,308 have recovered, including 116 in the last 24 hours.

To date, 338,594 persons have been tested, including 5,353 in the last 24 hours.

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October 7, 2020 - One writer's adventure through the Croatian health system, trying to get something everyone keeps telling her she should get - a flu shot! 

I've never had a flu shot in my life, not even after a friend of mine died after contracting flu at the age of 32. I don't have a valid explanation as to why I didn't do it, but in 2020 it's quite obvious that getting a flu shot is a public service we should all take advantage of, if at all possible. We're also being told that by the Croatian media and even some epidemiologists, as both the media and doctors have spent some time already inviting everyone to get a flu shot this year.

We know the number of doses of the vaccine which have been ordered. Some articles have appeared which describe the process of getting a vaccine in detail: if you're a chronically ill patient in a high-risk group, your LOM (liječnik obiteljske medicine, general practitioner, your family doctor you turn to for basic medical stuff like getting your prescriptions in the Croatian system) will provide you with the vaccine. Others will have to buy it, or, possibly, get the shot at their local institute of public health. The articles and all public communication regarding the flu vaccine this year have the same message: vaccinations will start on October 15th, so get your dose of the vaccine on time.

So, on October 1st, being the nerd that I am, I contacted my LOM, asking questions about the vaccine for myself and my partner. I'm thankfully not high-risk, but he is. The doctor tells me that they don't have the vaccine yet and they don't know when they will get it. When they eventually get it, they will only be providing the vaccine to those who have already been vaccinated there, as they will get a very limited number of doses. She also informed me that others will be able to get their shot free at the institute of public health and that more information will become available through the media (yes, even the doctors working with patients every day are fully expecting to learn the new information in the media!)

OK, we won't be able to get it through them, we'll just either buy it or go to Mirogojska (that's where the public health place in Zagreb is, and coincidentally, so is the cemetery), no big deal.

Yesterday I read a tweet by a guy I know about how he'd secured the flu shots for himself, his family and his employees (he owns a business). I asked him what he did, and how was that possible, and he explained that he'd put his needs on a waiting list in a pharmacy. That same day, in a Facebook post by a friend I discovered that she'd already purchased the vaccine for her family, and has already had it administered! I went to my neighbourhood pharmacy, where they informed me that yes, they had, in fact, already received the first batch of vaccines, they'd sold the entire batch of the Influvac Tetra vaccine they were allotted, they had no idea when the next batch is coming or how many doses they would receive, but she'd put me on the waiting list. The waiting list is, as you can imagine, a nightmare: the number of people on it is almost double than the last batch of the vaccine! But, she helpfully told me, you know, you can put your name on a few more pharmacy's waiting lists, to improve your chances of getting the vaccine.

Now, I don't want to be too harsh, but I do want to be harsh: that is insanity!

In this day and age, when we know we have an online system (which has been used, A LOT, this year, to make sure the people in self-isolation aren't coming to pharmacies), it would be trivial to write the code which would allow me to pre-register for the vaccine on my own, or for the elderly and less computer-savvy to do it through their LOMs or in the pharmacies. But, no, I have to call as many local pharmacies as possible, to get my name on their waiting lists, where there are numerous other people on the list before me in all of those pharmacies, and where we don't know if we'll be able to get the vaccine which was already being sold, which wasn't publicly disclosed, and is currently sold out and there might or might not be any more doses in Croatia to be purchased at all!

(I've decided to omit some less important points for this story, such as the fact that the second batch of the vaccine might or might not be the same kind or the whole mess they've managed to create around whether you need a prescription by your doctor to get the shot, as it would complicate the story to the point where nobody would read it to the end). 

It's not easy being a responsible citizen of Croatia, anyone who's ever lived here will confirm that. The Government and the systems in place make it very difficult to obey all the laws and rules and regulations and still get anything done (don't even get me started on what it's like to get a builder's permit...) But, in 2020, during the global pandemic and the anti-vax pandemic, while the experts are pleading with the public to get their flu shot this year, there's really no justification for making it so freaking difficult for responsible people to get their shots! And, besides, doesn't it make one wonder what things will look like once we finally get the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine? Will it be any easier to get for those of us who will opt to get vaccinated?

October 7, 2020 - On October 6, 2020, Condé Nast Traveler published the results of the 2020 Readers' Choice Awards survey, ranking the 35 best islands in the world outside the U.S. Thus, Hvar is one of the best islands in Europe this year!

HRTurizam reports that the island of Hvar received another international award, namely the recognition of the readers of the renowned Condé Nast Traveler, whose votes this year ranked the five-best islands in Europe.

This year, Condé Nast Traveler organized the selection of the world's best islands for the 33rd time, and more than 715,000 voters participated in the Reader's Choice Award.

The announcement of the awards took place on Monday, October 5, 2020, when the laureates were announced by continent. It was the island of Hvar that shone in fourth place in the European list of the best islands.

Along with Hvar, the three best islands are the Greek islands of Folegandros, Zakynthos, and Crete, while the Greek islands of Mykonos and Skiathos, the island of Jersey in the United Kingdom, the Italian island of Ischia, the Spanish island of Mallorca, and the Turkish island of Bozcaada are behind Hvar.

"This award is proof of the right direction in which the tourism of the town of Hvar is developing as a world-famous and luxurious tourist destination. With 50,000 arrivals and 280,000 overnight stays this year, the award is a kind of crown, and from the view of the COVID-19 pandemic, of our successfully organized season in which we achieved our goals. We are honored to be in the company of the world's best islands - this is an award to all tourist stakeholders of our city and our island. Thanks to all faithful lovers of the island of Hvar who gave us their vote," said Petar Razovic, director of the Hvar Tourist Board.

Condé Nast Traveler points out that Hvar is an excellent destination to visit all year round, especially due to warm summers and mild winters, and points out the well-known Hvar statistics - that it is the sunniest island in Croatia, with more than 2800 sunshine hours per year. This world-renowned magazine also emphasizes the rich historical and cultural heritage of the town of Hvar - emphasizing Fortress Fortica, Arsenal, and the Hvar Theater as must-see cultural monuments. The editors also wrote about the famous Hvar lavender harvest and the Lavender Festival, which is becoming one of the main attractions in the summer months and which, despite the COVID 19 pandemic, was organized this year as well.

The Hvar Town Tourist Board continues with preparations for the 2021 tourist year, which, according to Razovic, will be very challenging.

"I hope that the Ministry of Tourism and Sports and the Croatian National Tourist Board will take over the guarantee of credit debt of local tourist boards with new amendments to the Law on Tourist Boards and promotion of Croatian Tourism and that HBOR will provide financial resources with commercial banks to work as successfully and readily as possible on the global promotion of Hvar, but also of the whole of Croatia in the tourist markets," concluded Razovic.

You can see the full list on Condé Nast Traveler HERE.

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October 7, 2020 - Imagine leaving the walls of your home and doing your job sitting on a terrace overlooking the Adriatic Sea. It seems impossible, but this is exactly what the Valamar tourist chain offers. You can now rent a luxury mobile house on Krk for a month (or more).

The coronavirus pandemic brought many changes, so many were forced to bring their jobs from the office to their home. For those who are tired of working from home in the past few months, Valamar offers a solution.

"Move to the island of Krk and spend the autumn and winter of your dreams," is their new slogan, which offers guests monthly rent of luxury cottages with excellent internet connection for all digital nomads who wish to work from the Croatian coast.

"Mediterranean greenery and the endless blue Adriatic Sea are the best motivation to move your office to your green haven on the island of Krk this fall or winter," reads their website.

The mentioned houses are part of the 4-star Ježevac Premium Camping Resort near the town of Krk, the number of which is limited, and the minimum stay is 30 days. Monthly rent costs from 450 to 550 euros, depending on the size of the house.

Pleasant and useful

Looking at this offer, the question arises – why would such accommodation capacity be available for rent only during the summer? Tourism is unquestionably the most affected sector during the coronavirus pandemic, so tourism workers must constantly find new ways to attract guests, especially in the offseason.

Also, for people who want to travel and visit tourist destinations even during the pandemic, the important thing is a sense of security, and digital nomads are looking for one – a perfect lifestyle, whether it is a house overlooking the sea or the mountains.

Valamar very quickly recognized the need to strengthen products and content outside the main summer season, so these cottages can be rented from September 30, 2020, to March 30, 2021.

And so that visitors can take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city, Ježevac Premium Camping Resort offers a holiday without cooking and going grocery shopping with free delivery of fresh local products and delicious dishes through the online store Valfresco.

There is also a Multimedia Game Lounge, a fun area with video games, as well as a multi-purpose sports field. Pets are also welcome at the resort, whose stay costs 2.5 euros per day.

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October 7, 2020 - More details emerge on Hollywood star Nicholas Cage in Dubrovnik, as he plays the lead in currently the only American film co-production in Europe - ‘The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent.’

Namely, Dubrovacki Vjesnik reports that the American film crew currently in Dubrovnik filmed on Tuesday at Villa Scheherazade.

The Hollywood team led by Nicolas Cage and Chilean actor Pedro Pascal (‘Game of Thrones,’ ‘Narcos’) is currently shooting the only American film co-production in Europe, a film called ‘The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent.’

As is expected, security guards are also engaged, both on land and at sea. And at sea, Dubrovnik divers are on-site to ensure the safety of the filmmakers.

We know so far that Cage will play a fictional 'version' of himself in the new project. According to the script, he desperately wants a role in Quentin Tarantino's film and, along the way, tries to smooth out his relationship with his teenage daughter. In the film, which should premiere in March 2021, the main star also deals with a selfish Cage from the early 90s, whom he accuses of being guilty of a series of film failures that brought him to the brink of bankruptcy.

Nicolas Cage reportedly accepted the engagement because the writers explained to Cage that their goal was not to ridicule but to honor his great career.

Cage is staying at the Hotel Argentina in Dubrovnik.

This is the ninth project to apply for the incentive program for filming in Croatia in a year when film production in the entire world has come to a halt due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The shooting of the film, directed by Tom Gormican and produced by Lionsgate, will last for 15 days. In the Croatian part of the project, 412 film workers are involved, including 97 Croatian citizens, and there will be about 300 Croatian extras.

The planned spending of foreign investors for 10 projects this year exceeds HRK 100 million, said HAVC director Chris Marcich.

He recalled that the audiovisual industry in Croatia had resumed its activities in May, under epidemiological measures, and primarily for domestic productions.

Croatia has thus been recognized in the world as a safe location for filming. With the borders reopening, intensive preparations have started for the return of foreign productions, said Marcich.

The service production company for "The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent" is the Dubrovnik-based Ambasada Studio company of producer Erika Milutin Diller (Embassy Films).

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October 7, 2020 - Tickets for Croatia matches against Sweden (October 11) and France (October 14)  at Maksimir Stadium in Zagreb will begin on Wednesday, October 7, at 10:00.

The Croatia national football team will play two consecutive Nations League matches, both at Maksimir Stadium in Zagreb, against Sweden on October 11 at 6 pm, and against France on October 14 at 8:45 pm. Ticket sales for both matches are organized exclusively via the Internet at the following prices:

Tribune west middle lower: 250 kn

Tribune west lower: 150 kn

Tribune west upper: 100 kn

Tribune north lower: 60 kn

Tribune north upper: 60 kn

Ticket sales include e-tickets that the buyer must download online and print out. Only citizens of the Republic of Croatia, regardless of residence address, have the right to purchase by filling in the required personal information.

Due to special epidemiological measures in the stands, one person can buy only two (2) tickets, no less, no more. In addition to their data, the customer also enters data of the other ticket holder, who does not necessarily have to be a citizen of the Republic of Croatia.

The deadline for purchasing tickets online is:

October 11, 2020, until 12:00 for the match against Sweden, or October 14, 2020, until 12:00 for the match against France or until the games are sold out. 

Tickets will be available online on the HNS ticket portal, where you can find detailed information on ticket sales and payment methods.

HNS warns fans that when entering the stadium, the security will check the accuracy of personal data on the tickets. Fans who try to enter the stadium with a ticket in another name will be denied entry. Therefore, fans should not buy tickets from scalpers with someone else's information on the ticket.

As a reminder, UEFA allowed the return of spectators up to 30 percent of the stadium's capacity, which in the case of Maksimir was reduced by closing the east and south stands that were damaged in the earthquake.

Anyone entering the stadium must disinfect their hands as often as possible and maintain the recommended physical distance between themselves and other spectators.

More information can be found on HNS HERE.

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