December 20, 2021 - As the festive family holidays approach, will it be a lonely one for digital nomads? Not in Croatia - a look at how nomads spend Christmas holidays in Croatia. 

When I did my last major trip back in 2001, I hardly met anyone on the road in 9 months, apart from the many people who hosted me on the road. I spent a lot of time alone, which is fine as I really like my own company. 

Often I would arrive at a destination, spend 2-3 days there, look around and not speak to anyone apart from the hotel reception and restaurant waiter. 

I had no phone and no camera, and this was an era before Wordpress, Facebook and Instagram. Google was just 3 years old.

I kinda liked it that way.

I have spent a lot of time with digital nomads in the last 12 months, and I have thoroughly enjoyed every minute. But I don't think I could be a digital nomad myself these days, I just find the whole thing too exhausting. 

What fascinates me the most, especially compared to my travel 20 years ago, is the sense of community and the need to connect on a daily basis. Each to his/her own, and this is obviously the new reality. 

But what happens when it comes to family times like Christmas? How do nomads spend Christmas and the holiday season when the rest of us gather in families? I was a little concerned for our December Zagreb Digital Nomad Ambassador, Anna Maria from Poland, and how she would spend the last week in December.

I need not have worried, for she has a far better social life than I have ever had in Zagreb. Here she is, with a group of nomads yesterday having drinks after they visited the Museum of Broken Relationships yesterday. 

Zagreb Special Guest Ambassador Steve Tsentserensky would have joined too, but he was halfway up a mountain with another group of nomads.

According to the Nomad List 2021 survey, which placed Zagreb 5th in the most liked cities in the world, hiking is the number one activity for nomads.

And there are not many international cities which offer such hikeable views from the city centre as Zagreb does.

The community is growing nicely in Zagreb, Split and other cities in Croatia, and one of the best community builders of all, Zagreb's September Ambassador, Dean Kuchel, is coming back to Croatia to spend Christmas and New Year, mostly in Dubrovnik. 

"I will be in Zagreb for 18 hours on the 25th, Paul, so let's meet and have an event."

"Everything will be closed Dean, nothing will be open."

It made me wonder what nomads will be doing. And I realise that I do not need to worry about Anna Maria being lonely. 

Or any other nomad in Croatia. For it seems that there is a lot happening in the major nomad hubs. Without scanning too hard, here are a few options to meet locals, expats and fellow nomads over the festive season.

The Daltonist in Split is offering an authentic Irish Christmas tale this evening, one of a number of events over the festive period, including Christmas Day - more of their Facebook page.

Sunset Beach in Dubrovnik is the place to be on Christmas Eve for a festive nomad catchup. Check more on the Facebook event page.

But make sure you get in shape first, with the 10k run starting from Gruz, Dubrovnik on December 24. 

The Expats and Digital Nomad Christmas Eve party is already proving popular. Sign up here.

I was curious if Dean would find something to eat in Zagreb, but that man knows how to fill his stomach. A Nomad Pot Luck Christmas Dinner on December 25 in the Croatian capital is already oversubscribed, so I will not post details. 

Advent in Zagreb, Split, Dubrovnik continues throughout the month of course, as well as the Dubrovnik Winter Festival, so plenty of options to catch up with other nomads.  

See in 2022 in Zagreb with a Nomadic News Year's Party organised by December Zagreb Digital Nomad Ambassador, Anna Kochanska. More here. 

As for nomadic New Year's Eve fun, you could do worse than join this man. You can join Dean's party here.

There will likely be several other options that I have not featured, and the best place to follow the latest is the Digital Nomads Croatia Facebook page, which is growing nicely - now at 8,300 members. 

The community is growing, and 2022 will be an epic year for the digital nomad community in Croatia. You can follow the latest news and features on the dedicated TCN section. 

December 20, 2021 - The 20th round of the Croatian First League was held from December 17 to 19, 2021. This round featured a sold-out derby between Hajduk and Osijek at Poljud Stadium, while Dinamo's victory pushed them into first place in the final round before the winter break. Here's our HNL round 20 recap. 

Slaven Belupo v. Lokomotiva (2:1)

Belupo and Lokomotiva opened the 20th round in Koprivnica on Friday, December 17, 2021. 

Krstanovic scored a penalty in the 2nd minute of stoppage time for 1:0 at the half. Dabro equalized for 1:1 in the 48th minute. Mario Marina put Belupo back in the lead for 2:1 in the 78th minute, which was the final score. 

Belupo is currently in 8th place with 19 points, while Lokomotiva is in 6th with 24. 

Gorica v. Šibenik (2:3)

Gorica and Šibenik met in Velika Gorica on Saturday, December 18, 2021, in front of 556 fans. 

Lovric scored the match's opening goal for 1:0 Gorica in the 12th minute. Jakolis equalized for 1:1 in the 30th. Delic put Šibenik in the lead in the 51st minute, while Stojanovski equalized in the 68th minute. Jakolis scored the winning goal for the final 2:3 Šibenik. 

Gorica is currently in 5th place with 29 points, while Šibenik is in 7th with 22. 

Rijeka v. Istra 1961 (1:0)

Rijeka and Istra met in the Della Ucka Derby on Saturday, December 18, 2021.

Obregon scored the match's only goal in the 82nd minute for the final 1:0 Rijeka.

Rijeka is currently in 2nd place with 40 points, while Istra is in 9th with 18.

Hr. Dragovoljac v. Dinamo (0:2)

Dragovoljac and Dinamo met in Zagreb on Sunday, December 19, 2021. 

Peric scored for 0:1 Dinamo in the 17th minute. Andric increased the lead to 0:2 in the 68th minute for the final score. 

Dragovoljac is in the last with 7 points, while Dinamo is in 1st place with 40 points (and one match in hand). 

Hajduk v. Osijek (0:0)

Hajduk and Osijek closed out the 20th round on Sunday, December 19, 2021, in front of over 30,000 fans at Poljud Stadium. 

While the game ended without goals, Osijek was awarded a penalty in the 13th minute. Bohar scored his first attempt, which the ref discounted and made him. retake. Lovre Kalinić was brilliant in goal with a save on his second attempt to keep the score even. 

Osijek coach Bjelica was sent off with a red card in the 70th minute. 

Hajduk is currently in 4th place with 35 points (and one match in hand), while Osijek is in 3rd place with 40 points. 

You can see the HNL standings HERE.

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page. 

December the 20th, 2021 - The Dalmatian Sunce hotels brand are planning to invest an enormous amount of money in the general ''do up'' of their many facilities in the hope of 2022 being the year in which tourism and travel return to pre-pandemic norms.

As Jozo Vrdoljak/Novac/Jutarnji list writes, Sunce hotels informed the Zagreb Stock Exchange that their supervisory board has approved investments for further raising the quality and services in the company's facilities for the year 2022 in the large amount of 44.2 million euros.

The largest amount, as much as 13.6 million euros, is planned to be invested in the Elaphusa Hotel in Bol on Brac, followed by the Soline Hotel in Brela, for which 9.7 million euros has been set aside. The third largest investment is in the Borak hotel in Bol of 7.9 million euros, and 6.7 million euros will be invested in the Maestral hotel in Brela. About 2.5 million euros will be invested in the Kastelet hotel, and 150,000 euros in Neptune. 2.9 million euros will be invested in employee accommodation, and around 800,000 euros will be pumped into other accompanying investments.

They explained from Sunce hotels that these investments confirm the intentions of their majority shareholders to develop the company's future business by strengthening their market position by implementing new and developing existing capacities and services, as well as continuing to invest in raising the quality of accommodation for their employees.

Out of a total investment of 44 million euros, approximately 29 million is planned to be raised through a capital increase by issuing new shares, for which purpose an extraordinary general meeting of the joint stock company was convened. As for the rest of the funds, Sunce hotels plans to raise the cash by borrowing from commercial banks, using the possibility of withdrawing funds for this purpose as agreed when refinancing the financial obligations of the company back on November the 2nd, 2021.

Hrvoje Veselko, a member of the board of Sunce hotels, explained that all of these investments will be mainly focused on refreshing the company's existing accommodation units, ie in what leaves a real impression on the guests.

''These aren't investments in additional capacities, ie investments that require the obtaining of any permits. It's all mainly in relation to furnishing rooms with new furniture, refreshing our hotel rooms, reconstructing the bathrooms, decorating and refreshing the common and public spaces, horticultural planning and similar investments. We took the least invasive path because it's important for us to complete most of these investments by the beginning of the summer season next year, ie on May the 15th, 2022,'' explained Hrvoje Veselko.

Under the Bluesun Hotels & Resorts brand, Sunce hotels manages 11 hotels along the Croatian Adriatic coast, one campsite and one leased facility, or a total of 2,973 accommodation units, making them one of the largest hotel companies in all of the Republic of Croatia. They also own 50.2 percent of Brac Airport. In addition to tourist facilities in Tucepi, Brela, Starigrad Paklenica and Bol on the island of Brac, they're in a joint venture with the tour operator TUI AG and have a premium hotel, TUI Blue Jadran, with 161 accommodation units to boast of.

Since March this year, the majority owner of Sunce hotels has become the company Eagle Hills Real Estate, which took over the stake from the family of Jako Andabak for about 101 million euros. Eagle Hills Real Estate is engaged in real estate investing and real estate development with a focus on the markets of Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and is headed by Mohamed Ali Rashed Alabbar, who currently manages development in the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Serbia and some other destinations. These are mixed-use facilities worth 50 billion euros. The company intended to build Zagreb's so-called ''Manhattan'', and is also known for the Belgrade on Water project, which it did develop.

In the first nine months of 2021, Sunce hotels generated an impressive 333.8 million kuna in operating revenues, which is an increase of 107.1 compared to the same period in 2020, which was dominated by the global coronavirus pandemic, The Group achieved a positive EBITDA of 116,405 million kuna, which is a better result than 102,650 million kuna, the amount recorded back during the same period last year. The main reason for the strong growth of EBITDA is the growth of operating revenues from the sale of accommodation services and non-board revenues.

The largest part of operating expenses for Sunce hotels are staff costs in the amount of 98.5 million kuna, which has been 23.5 million kuna more in the first nine months of 2021 compared to the same period last year, and material costs amount to 85 million kuna and are higher by 58.7 percent when compared to the same period in 2020, mostly due to higher activities and operating income generated from the sale of accommodation services.

Financial expenses for Sunce hotels have veen significantly lower for the first nine months of 2021, mainly because there were no net negative exchange rate differences. Total financial expenses amount to 9.7 million kuna, which is a decrease of 8196 million kuna when compared to the first nine months of 2020, when total financial expenses amounted to 17.9 million kuna. Net profits in the observed period amounted to 68.8 million kuna, and in the same period last year the loss amounted to 45.6 million kuna, again because of the pandemic crisis.

For more, check out our business section.

December the 20th, 2021 - Could sustainable Croatian tourism branding be the key to encouraging more luxury tourism? As all things renewable become more and more mainstream, it seems that new opportunities lie in way for the country so well known for damaging mass tourism and counting overnight stays.

As Poslovni Dnevnik/Marija Crnjak writes, renewable energy sources, energy and water savings, green procurement, local food, food waste reduction, sorting and recycling, hazardous chemicals-free business operations… There are many criteria that are entering the fast-growing trend of sustainable tourism, and they're more or less applied worldwide.

Along with national governments and public institutions, sustainability has become the goal of every serious company that plans to increase its competitiveness in the coming period. In parallel with the introduction of sustainable solutions, more and more attention is being paid to branding sustainable products and services, which will bring them better recognition and market positioning, and many Croatian players have woken up and are very much involved in this race in addition to global enterprises.

Sustainable Croatian tourism branding could finally result in year-round work and less seasonal influences on the domestic economy.

''Eco green hotels'' is the name of a new brand launched back in November by the National Association of Family and Small Hotels, with the aim of responding to the growing needs of modern travellers for environmentally friendly accommodation. This is a hotel segment that already meets sustainability goals in part because most facilities decide to work all year round.

Depending on the level of implementation of green and sustainable solutions, hotels will receive a silver, gold or platinum label, and the first step in this ambitious task is to educate more than 200 members of the association that has already started.

''After the training session, there will be a cycle of investments that will last at least two years, so Croatia could have the first eco-green family and small hotels as early as 2023. Green business has become a necessity not only because of our conscious guests' demands for environmentally friendly accommodation, but for savings for hoteliers themselves. What is also extremely important is that in this way, we'll be able to give our contribution to the decarbonisation of the planet,'' pointed out Sime Klaric, President of the National Association of Family and Small Hotels.

Among large Croatian hotel companies, Valamar Riviera was the first to make a more serious investment in its first eco resort in beautiful Stari Grad on the Central Dalmatian island of Hvar, with the creation of a totally new brand - Nature resort. Nature resort is the new Valamar concept of a fully sustainable eco-resort positioned primarily for family holidays. The construction of the resort will be achieved by respecting the highest standards of green building, which includes using only environmentally friendly materials with minimal impact on the environment, the use of renewable energy sources and a high level of energy efficiency.

The Valamar Nature resort on the island of Hvar is the first tourist project that will use prefabricated buildings and modular construction designed according to Valamar accommodation quality standards. The concept is inspired by nature and sustainable design, meaning that the architecture of the resort will fit well into the natural environment of the island in terms of the the design of the buildings, while the interior design is being dealt with by signed by local designers and artists using local traditions, looks and materials.

Construction will be carried out in in two phases

Felled trees will be used in landscaping, and each felled tree will be replaced with newly planted ones. Great emphasis will be placed on the offer of local food and groceries produced right there on the island, while digitalisation will eliminate the use of paper throughout the hotel. The project is planned to be built in two phases throughout 2022 and 2023, and in order to realise all of these green initiatives to their absolute full potential and realise all aspects of sustainable resort development, there is a plan in place to apply for green EU funds for the project.

Helios Faros' business development plan assumes investments in the total amount of around 800 million kuna in sustainable high value-added tourism that will have a positive impact on the economic growth of the island. By the year 2025, the reconstruction and construction of three hotels and resorts of categories 4 * and 5 * with a total capacity of 700 accommodation units is planned.

Quartz Inn Hotels, a new European hotel brand for independent sustainable hotels that recently presented itself at the WTM fair in London, is also seriously counting on Croatian facilities in its future portfolio, and their plan is to expand to at least 100 hotels across Europe. Quartz Inn Hotels Ltd was founded by Spaniard Ignacio Merino and Dutchman Alexander Zawadzki, who both have extensive experience in the hotel industry as well as in online travel agencies and travel startups under their belts. Sustainable Croatian tourism branding could be very possible with such an initiative taking hold in the country.

“We're the first sustainable hotel brand for stand-alone hotels in Europe, and our goal is to connect sustainable accommodation from across all European countries, while preserving the authenticity of each facility. We focus on sustainability, we help hotels become more ''green'' and in that way we're working to create a more sustainable tourism industry. By joining our brand, hotels gain more visibility internationally, which leads to higher revenue and more direct bookings,'' said Ignacio Merino when explaining the basic principles of the business idea created in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, which came about partly as a result of the crisis itself.

"Independent hotels have been the hardest hit by the pandemic and they simply don't have the same means as larger chains have at their disposal to try to overcome the situation. We talked to many of them and decided to form a community that will support them. Through our partners, we provide them with the latest technology to manage things for them, covering all commercial areas, such as OTA distribution, connectivity, marketing, online reputation, online signups, resales, booking and revenue management, to optimise their hotel prices and maximise their benefits,'' he explained. In addition, they offer their members a free hotel academy for hoteliers and staff. In addition to hotels, guesthouses and holiday villas are also welcome.

They currently have dozens of contracts signed across Europe, and plan to conclude next year with at least 100 facilities within the chain. Their main goals are to reduce energy and water consumption and eliminate disposable plastic in rooms, while encouraging sustainable eating habits and contributing to the preservation of the local culture and economy.

Sustainable Croatian tourism branding could lead to a far better situation each and every year when it comes to arrivals from across the globe. Currently trapped by the ''sunshine and sea'' label which expires after about three months annually despite multiple attempts to extend the tourist season and expand what the country can offer. The coronavirus pandemic might just be the reset button for sustainable Croatian tourism branding and lead to a far better way of doing things than simply sitting back, counting the overnight stays on the eVisitor platform and rubbing our hands.

For more, check out our travel section.

December the 20th, 2021 - The Republic of Croatia has an enormous 320 million euros coming to it by the end of 2021, and it must utilise it in full by mid-2023, by June of that year to be more precise. With Petrinja still shamefully waiting for redevelopment and reconstruction almost one entire year since the devastating earthquake struck, there's no time like the present.

As Poslovni Dnevnik/Suzana Varosanec writes, Minister of Physical Planning, Construction and State Property, Darko Horvat, said that Croatia is absolutely ready to accept EU grants which will be spent on reconstructing Petrinja following 2020's earthquake. He said this when in conversation with Dnevnik after MEPs approved the provision at the December the 14th plenary session in which assistance to Croatia in the amount of 320 million euros was agreed upon. The enormous sum will go to repairing the damage caused by the natural disasters of 2020.

"Given the considerable experience we've gained in preparing the applications for repairing the damage from the Zagreb earthquake (which struck in March 2020), we've encouraged the end users of these funds to start drafting project documentation. What's especially important now, given that the implementing bodies are ready to accept the funds, is that at the beginning of 2022 we expect the announcement of the first public calls,'' said Horvat.

Based on the aforementioned decision, Croatia is being provided with a financial envelope of 320 million euros, including the already paid advance of 41.3 million euros. The payment of the remaining part, a sum close to 280 million euros, is expected by the end of the year. Out of a total of about 17 billion euros in estimated earthquake damage, direct damage to the Banovina area is estimated to stand at about 5.5 billion.

As the damage is far greater than the expected FSEU aid can cover, the planned distribution of aid will be largely focused on eligible costs already incurred, as well as projects already contracted or those with certain costs and deadline security. According to available data, of the already incurred or contracted costs of around 240 million euros, almost 80 million euros has been spent on operations eligible for funding from the FSEU. As for the deadline, as was the case with the previous procedure, it is 18 months from the payment of the total amount to the budget of the Republic of Croatia.

According to Minister Horvat and the national coordinating body for the implementation of earthquake remediation, if the payment is made before the end of 2021, the implementation deadline will be June 2023. 

For more, make sure to check out our dedicated politics section.

December 18, 2021 - It may not be as lively as 2019, but things are warming up nicely in Zagreb. A good time to reflect on the incredible history of Advent in Zagreb since 2010. 

It has always been an event that has fascinated me. How to create something from nothing in Croatian tourism, away from the coast, and out of season? And not only, but to do it so well that the event was voted the best in Europe for three years in a row. 

And then came the pandemic.

But still the event survived, albeit is in a much more modest and virtual format, before getting a little bigger in 2021. After a slow start, the streets of the Croatian capital are buzzing once again, as a very different Advent in Zagreb 2021 runs its course. 

(2014 Ice Park - J. Duval)

Everyone seems to have their opinion on Advent in Zagreb this year, and I thought it was worth putting everything into context and taking a look back at the last decade since it became a thing. I contacted the Zagreb Tourist Board and asked them to send me some information and old photos so that I could do a piece on the history of Advent in Zagreb. 

Their response was more than impressive - they did not just send information and photos, they sent this amazing overview - much more detailed than anything I had been planning.  

(2014 Fuliranje - I. Nobilo)

PROJECT DEVELOPMENT/ FINANCING / PROMOTION / CONTENT

Advent in Zagreb is a project that has been intensely developed over a number of years through a synergy of relevant city offices and the Zagreb Tourist Board. It was branded as “Advent in Zagreb” in 2010. A new concept of Advent in Zagreb that was introduced in 2014 has been cultivated and upgraded over the years.

(2014 Advent on Europe Square - M. Mehulic)

The promotion campaign started with a promotional video about Advent in Zagreb that was screened at fairs, convention industry summits and professional workshops, and distributed to all reporters and agents coming to Zagreb on organized professional tours. The video has also been mass distributed with bottles of drinking water and other promotional materials about the city of Zagreb to travellers stopping at the tollbooth in Lučko during peak season weekends in late July and early August, to invite the tourist to visit the Advent market and explore the tourist offer in Zagreb. The Zagreb Tourist Board designed a unique and inspiring visual for Advent in Zagreb, suggestive of the happy colours and aromas of winter holidays, that was used on City Light posts and billboards at busy locations in Croatia and nearby countries, including Slovenia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Italy, Austria and Hungary.

(2014 Live Nativity - M. Mehulic)

A special Internet site was launched at www.adventzagreb.hr with all textual material available in five languages, Croatian, English, German, Spanish and Italian. Attractive souvenirs have been designed that included a box of traditional ginger biscuits, a mug, a glass, an apron, matches, Christmas tree ornaments in the shape of ginger biscuits, glass balls and blankets. The live entertainment stage on Ban Jelačić Square has been branded, as well as the Advent House, in order to create an unambiguously familiar brand of Advent in Zagreb. In 2011, the Zagreb Tourist Board organized a multi-media 3D mapping Advent screening outside the Mimara Museum. Every year between 2010 and 2015, the city of Zagreb gifted a Zagreb Christmas tree decorated in the traditional style typical for Zagreb to Vienna, Rome, Berlin, Budapest, Ljubljana and Sarajevo, inviting the residents of Zagreb’s friendship cities to visit Zagreb during the Advent season.

(2015 Artomat - S. Kastelan) 

The outstanding success of Advent in Zagreb has been the result of many years of work on the part of the Zagreb Tourist Board to upgrade the Zagreb tourist offer during winter months, of brand development and highly effective promotional effort in collaboration with important stakeholders such as the national Croatian Tourist Board, the tourist industry and the City of Zagreb. A multitude of interesting content and daily events have helped create a unique image of the Croatian capital city as a centre of culture and tourism during the holidays that continues to be upgraded and promoted as a prime tourist product. Advent in Zagreb, the events that bring life to the city streets and squares during the season of Advent and other content that have enhanced the city tourist offer during winter months, have contributed to a favourable evaluation of the city in the international tourist market and the branding of Zagreb as a must-visit tourist destination during Advent season.

(2015 Fuliranje - S. Kastelan)

Over the years, the content has expanded and new features introduced in addition to the original programming that continues as a standard in many new and attractive locations. New marketing activities have been developed accordingly. Since its inception in 2010, Advent events in Zrinjevac Park and Ban Jelačić Square and the Christmas market have been a mainstay feature of Advent in Zagreb. Starting in 2010, many other projects have been developed to become part of the Advent in Zagreb, including Artomat (since 2011), Fooling Around (since 2012), the Ice Park (since 2014) and Advent at the European Square (since 2014). Another location was added to the Fooling Around project in 2015 and the programme has been featured in two different locations since then (Tomićeva Street and Kurelčeva Street).

(2015 Strauss at the Octogon - S. Kastelan)

In 2016, the Zagreb Tourist Board collaborated with partners to introduce a number of new Advent features to Zagreb visitors and residents, especially the Upper Town segment that has included Courtyards – The Advent Edition, Advent on the Vranyczany Plateau, Advent at the Klovićevi Dvori Gallery and Advent on Stross. Also, in 2016, Advent happenings reached the New Zagreb area across the river with New Advent and Santa Klaus Icy Fairy Tale. Other novelties have included, to mention just a few, the Fashion Advent, Chez Rudolf, Advent in the Design District and Advent in the Tunnel.

(Christmas concerts from balconies in 2015 - S. Katelan)

Additional emphasis in 2017 was placed on improving the quality of existing Advent locations as well as on carefully planning new locations, all in order to enable the most pleasant stay of all visitors to Advent in Zagreb. ZTB and its partners have implemented new programs: Advent in the Croatian Railway Museum, Advent in Marićev prolaz, Caffe de Matoš, Fooling Around at a new location - Trg J.J. Strossmayer, and the special cooperation with the Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia was established, which joined Advent with the Advent program at Prekrižje.

(2016 Ice Park - A. Markezic)

Traditional programs have been realized in the Lower Town such as Advent on Zrinjevac, Ice Park on Tomislav Square, Advent on the European Square, Zagreb Christmas Fairy Tale, Live Christmas Nativity Scene, Advent on Ban Jelačić Square as well as in the Upper Town: Advent on Vranicanijeva poljana, Advent in Klovićevi dvori Gallery and Advent on Stross. The Grič Tunnel was included in the program, as well as cultural institutions such as the Museum of Arts and Crafts, the Ethnographic Museum, the Croatian National Theatre, the Art Pavilion and the Zagreb Zoo. The Advent program in Zagreb was accompanied by a large exhibition "Nikola Tesla - Mind from the future".

(2016 Advent in Kloveci Dvori - I. Zinic)

In 2018 Advent in Maksimir was presented as a new location with entertainment for the whole family and Advent Stara Tkalča, which showed traditional crafts and revived the spirit of the oldest Zagreb settlements Gradec and Kaptol. A novelty was the Film Advent, as part of which Christmas films for all ages were shown at the Europa cinema, and the Baković Sisters' Passage was conveniently decorated as a set from the shooting of a Christmas film. Special emphasis was placed on cultural events and programs, so during Advent, as many as eight different music festivals were held in Zagreb. This continued in 2019 when, in addition to the already known Advent locations, eleven music festivals were held: Advent postcards, Advent under the Lantern, Evenings with Brahms, Adventfest in the Cathedral, Advent Classic Fest, Advent and Christmas Song Festival in Zagreb, Concerts in the church of St. Katarina, Concert program of the Zagreb Soloists for Advent in Zagreb, Advent in the parish of St. Blaž, From Christmas Balconies in Zagreb and Christmas with Kids. In 2019, Film Advent on Tuškanac was presented as a new location, as part of which Christmas films for all ages were shown at the Tuškanac cinema, and Advent at the Croatian National Theatre with a new scenography and concept. The Oktogon passage was appropriately arranged, and other locations were decorated with Croatian traditional ornaments and Nutcrackers, in accordance with the theme of Advent in Zagreb in 2019.

(2016 Advent in Zrinjevac - A. Markezic) 

Since 2014, all visitors to Advent in Zagreb have been given the opportunity to visit Advent locations with the help of smartphones. Namely, ZTB, in cooperation with the Bruketa & Žinić OM and Brlog agencies, refreshed its popular mobile application Zagreb Be There with the new Advent Zagreb route. This was an application originally launched in the summer of 2014, which offered visitors to Zagreb various themed routes to tour the city, with occasional awards. In 2015, three more new Advent routes were introduced, which, in addition to the classic Advent locations, took users through Zagreb restaurants known for their winter specialties. In 2016, the Advent edition of the app was enriched with two Advent routes, a classic and a route that invited users to find the best Advent place for a Christmas selfie.

(2016 Advent in Klovicevi Dvori - L. Tonci)

The 2017 Advent edition of the app featured two Advent routes. A special feature in 2017 is the collaboration with the famous Croatian confectioner Petra Jelinić, who suggested the best confectioneries in Zagreb of her choice to users through the Sweetmas route. In addition to the traditional route with the key locations of Advent, in 2018 the Zagreb Be There application was refreshed with a new route called ADVENTurous Women of Zagreb. It enabled visitors to learn more about famous Zagreb women: Ivana Brlić-Mažuranić, Marija Jurić Zagorka, sisters Baković, first woman in pants, Slava Šenoa, Sidonia Erdődy Rubido, Cat Dujšin-Ribar and Ljerka Šram. In 2019, the application was enriched with a new Advent route called Uncrackable route, which led visitors to Zagreb in search of sculptures of the Nutcracker, which were located in all major Advent locations.

(2016 Advent in the Tunnel - M. Vrdoljak)

Along with the national airline Croatia Airlines, it is important to point out that the value of Advent in Zagreb was recognized by Turkish Airlines, which became the official carrier in 2015 during Advent in Zagreb. It provided up to 20 percent discount on tickets on its flights and the same discount was provided in 2016 and 2017. At the same time Turkish Airlines sent information about Advent to all its branches in the world via an internal newsletter and published video and info about Advent through its social networks. Encouraged by the successful cooperation with Turkish Airlines, the cooperation continued during Advent 2018 and 2019. The use of a strong communication network of Turkish Airlines has significantly raised the profile of Advent in Zagreb, as well as Zagreb as a tourist destination.

(2016 Pop-Up Winter Garden - M. Vrdoljak) 

The Advent in Zagreb project has been jointly financed by the Zagreb Tourist Board and event organizers. The Zagreb Tourist Board has borne all expenses for international promotion, more specifically by maintaining media promotion in nearby countries on the Internet (Google AdWords, banners, advertorials, Facebook), by renting advertising spaces (depending on the campaign, these may include billboards, citylights and/or advertising space in public transportation), and by introducing other individual activities to present the project at presentations, fairs and other promotional events.

(2016 Zagreb Christmas Fairytale - M. Vrdoljak)

The Zagreb Tourist Board has also maintained promotional media campaigns in Croatia and important international markets. Advent in Zagreb has been promoted in the printed media such as the Lufthansa Inflight magazine, KLM Inflight magazine, Hi Europe (Chinese market), Die Welt Reisemagazin; on local TV channels including Z1, Jabuka TV, Net, Mreža TV; on national TV channels including HRT (Dnevnik, Dobro jutro, Panorama etc.), NOVA TV (Dnevnik live news, reporter stories), RTL (Vijesti news and other shows); on international TV channels including MTV Adria (Advent Zagrebavanje) and other media such as Radio Sljeme, as well as websites in Italy, Austria, Germany, Great Britain, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and other countries, in addition to promotional activities on Zagreb Tourist Board websites, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, in promotional videos and featured stories on YouTube, etc.

(2017 St. Mark's Church - J. Duval)

In addition to the costs of promotion, Zagreb Tourist Board has covered some of the expenses of organizing Advent events by supporting the organizers of major events. Other expenses for any individual event have been borne by the event organizer. The financial gain based on the increasing number of tourist arrivals and overnight stays, as well as visitor consumption, has been an important part of the overall economy of the city.

(2017 Advent in Zagreb - J. Duval) 

Advent in Zagreb (the event and films promoting the event) has won many awards. For three consecutive years, Zagreb was voted the Best Christmas Market in Europe, in 2016, 2017 and 2018. A full list of awards is available at

http://www.infozagreb.hr/nagrade-i-priznanja-tzgz&lang=hr

(2017 Advent in Zagreb - J. Duval)

STATISTICS

Success has been reflected in the continuous growth of December arrivals and overnight stays:

• In December 2010, the number of arrivals and overnight stays increased to 34,824 arrivals and 59,023 overnights, a 6 percent growth in arrivals and 5 percent growth in overnight stays compared to December 2009;

(2017 - J. Duval

• In December 2011, the number of both arrivals and overnight stays increased to 37,377 arrivals and 69,582 overnights, representing a 7 percent growth in arrivals and 18 percent growth in overnight stays compared to December 2010;

(2017 - J. Duval)

• In December 2012, 38,819 tourists visited the Croatian capital city and stayed 71,162 nights, a 4 percent growth in arrivals and 2 percent growth in overnight stays compared to December 2011;

(2017 - M. Gasparovic)

• In December 2013, Zagreb had 46,284 visitors and 83,323 overnight stays. Compared to December 2012, the statistics indicate a growth of 17 percent with respect to arrivals and 17 percent growth in overnight stays;

(2017 - M. Gaparovic)

• In December 2014, Zagreb had 56,142 visitors and 101,473 overnight stays. Compared to December 2013, the statistics show a significant growth of 21 percent in both arrivals and overnight stays;

(2017 Advent in Zrinjevac - J. Duval)

• In December 2015, Zagreb had 70,750 visitors who stayed 126,968 nights. Compared to December 2014, the statistics indicate a large 26 percent growth in the number of arrivals and 24 percent growth in overnight stays;

(2018 - J. Duval)

• In December 2016, 94,573 people visited Zagreb and stayed 169,095 nights. The numbers indicate a growth of as many as 34 percent more arrivals and 37 percent more overnight stays than during December 2015;

(2018 Advent in the Tunnel - J. Duval)

• In December 2017, Zagreb had 111,290 visitors and 201,453 overnight stays. Compared to December 2016, the statistics show a growth of 17 more arrivals and 18 percent more overnight stays;

(2018 - Advent Churches - J. Duval)

• In December 2018, Zagreb had 122,489 visitors who stayed 232,057 nights. Compared to December 2017, the statistics indicate a 10 percent growth in arrivals and 15 percent growth in overnight stays;

(2018 - Boska and Kreso)

• In December 2019, 134,078 people visited Zagreb, staying 251,645 nights. Compared to December 2018, the statistics indicate a 9 percent growth in arrivals and a 9 percent growth in overnight stays.

(2018 Ice Park - D. Miloslavic)

AVERAGE DAILY CONSUMPTION

http://www.infozagreb.hr/documents/b2b/Potrosnja_Advent_SAZETAK_20_03_2017_.pdf

Web site with event information at www.adventzagreb.hr

(2019 - J. Duval)

ADVENT DURING THE 2020 PANDEMIC

In 2020, the overall conditions have maximally changed the possibilities and needs for holding projects, events and happenings. Due to the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic, as well as the earthquakes and the significant decline in tourist arrivals and overnight stays, the fulfilment of the goals of encouraging the development of existing and creating new projects that increase the number of arrivals and overnight stays in the destination, became questionable.

(2019 Zrinjevac - J. Duval)

It was not possible to plan such a situation, so the Zagreb Tourist Board had to adjust the implementation of activities in accordance with the given circumstances, as well as the interests of visitors to Zagreb. The focus was on creative and ambient outdoor events that did not encourage large gatherings, as well as cultural and other events, which could be performed in controlled conditions. Zagreb continued to maintain its charm and openness to all visitors, but above all it was important that the local population felt comfortable and safe.

(2019 Advent in the Tunnel - J. Duval)

According to the above, Advent Zagreb was held in accordance with the recommendations and decisions of the competent authorities, in a slightly different atmosphere in a hybrid and virtual form. Occasional programs have been prepared to preserve the spirit of the best Christmas fair in Europe. Special emphasis was placed on cultural events with a number of different music festivals that we broadcasted through our online channels, and some Zagreb museums got involved with their own Advent programs.

(2019 Ice Park - J. Duval)

Every year, Advent is enriched with novelties, and in 2020 the Light of Advent (Svjetlost Adventa) project was launched, where cooperation was established with ten institutions in the Upper Town by decorating their windows in the holiday spirit. We wanted to bring positive emotions, create a sense of community and, ultimately, encourage our fellow citizens to get involved and contribute to Advent. ZTB designed the special campaign and during its duration, from December 6, 2020 to January 6, 2021, invited its fellow citizens, but also all those who love Zagreb, to get involved and become part of the Zagreb Christmas fairy tale.

(2019 - Boska and Kreso)

Thus, all those interested could send their Advent photos via the social network Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/visitzagreb, using the hashtags #SvjetlostAdventa and #AdventLights. More than 300 photos were received during the month of the interactive campaign. After its completion, a special #ZagrebLoop was created and a video containing Advent photos from all parts of Zagreb and Croatia.The reach of more than 230,000 people and 240,000 impressions are the results of a campaign through which Zagreb shared its Advent magic with all those who carry it in their hearts. #ZagrebLoop can be viewed on the official Advent website of the Tourist Board.

(2019 Artomat - Boska and Kreso)

We especially emphasize our cooperation with the Croatian startup company Equinox Vision, with which we realized the interactive AR project Virtual Christmas Windows. These are motifs of Zagreb's Advent windows that have been turned into three-dimensional animations, and which everyone could see with smartphones via the free Equinox XR application, take photos and share on social networks.

(2020 Light of Advent - S. Carek)

With the beginning of Advent, we set up animated windows at 20 locations in Zagreb and in Osijek, Pula, Rijeka and Split, and then we set them up in 12 more Croatian cities: Dubrovnik, Gospić, Karlovac, Knin, Koprivnica, Krapina, Rovinj, Šibenik, Slavonski Brod, Varaždin, Vukovar, Zadar. For all those who were unable to travel due to the overall situation, Advent Zagreb crossed the borders of Croatia, bringing at least part of the holiday atmosphere to Belgrade, Ljubljana, Maribor, Mostar, Munich, Novi Sad and Sarajevo.

(2020 - S. Kastelan)

The third novelty was the Zagreb Nativity Scene project, more precisely the online exhibition of photographs of church Christmas nativity scenes taken from 2007 to 2020. In addition to the above, the Tourist Board and its partners have arranged three locations in Lower Town and four in Upper Town.

(2020 - Boska and Kreso)

Zagreb Tourist Board CEO Marina Bienenfeld reflected on what has become one of Croatian tourism's great success stories. 

Advent Zagreb offers the best of what the city has in tourism, gastro industry and culture. Looking back, we can now proudly say that Zagreb stands firmly alongside other destinations with a diverse Advent offer and that it truly celebrates the richness of tourist, cultural, gastronomic and holiday facilities. Zagreb Advent is full of emotions, various contents and cultural events and it radiates real holiday warmth. Also, to be selected for the best Christmas market in Europe for three consecutive years, is no small matter. That’s just what Advent Zagreb has accomplished with a well-designed program, and an excellent implementation of the same. Every year, regardless of the conditions, we strive to enrich our Advent, raising it from year to year to a new level and, what’s most important – we have the support from Zagreb’s citizens. I would say that this is the key to the success of this most important event in Zagreb and throughout Croatia and I’m sure Advent Zagreb will continue to live for many, many more years to come.

Learn more about the Croatian capital in the Total Croatia Zagreb in a Page guide.

You can follow the latest from Zagreb in the dedicated TCN section. 

(2020 - S. Carek)

ZAGREB, 19 Dec, 2021 - Member of parliament Goran Dodig was on Saturday re-elected president of the HDS Christian democrat party for a four year-term.

Branko Hrg was elected Dodig's deputy while Davor Vukmirić was elected HDS vice-president.

Dodig, was was the sole candidate for HDS president, said after his re-election that the shortcomings of today's society called for fast and effective solutions.

"Christian democracy is a positive path towards well-being and prosperity," he said, noting that one should live in line with the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit - wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord.

For more on politics, follow TCN's dedicated page.

For more about Croatia, CLICK HERE.

ZAGREB, 19 Dec, 2021 - The results of the MOST party's referendum campaign against COVID-19 certificates are expected to be known on Wednesday, according to the Jutarnji List daily issue of Sunday.

Bridge vice-president Nikola Grmoja has said that data on the turnout from all signature-collecting points should be known by then, claiming that in the last two days of the campaign, on Friday and Saturday, the turnout was excellent.

For a referendum campaign to be successful, its organisers must collect the signatures of 10% of the electorate, or 368,446 signatures.

Earlier this week, the party estimated that it had collected around 300,000 signatures, and in a bid to encourage as many people as possible to sign the petition, senior Bridge members joined the party activists on the ground collecting signatures.

For more on politics, follow TCN's dedicated page.

For more about Croatia, CLICK HERE.