December 12, 2021 - The latest flight news to Croatia as American Airlines Philadelphia-Dubrovnik flights will not resume next summer. 

Ex Yu Aviation reports that American Airlines will not resume its Philadelphia-Dubrovnik flights for the 2022 summer season. While the airline successfully maintained the route in the 2019 summer, it did not return the following year with additional flights and capacity due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

But Dubrovnik isn't the only victim of American Airlines. Ex Yu Aviation adds that the airline won't resume seasonal flights to Prague and has discontinued operations to Edinburgh, Shannon and Hong Kong. The airline will, however, operate from New York to Doha, Qatar.

"Boeing continues to be unable to deliver the 787s we have on order, including as many as thirteen aircraft that were slated to be in our fleet by this winter. Without these widebodies, we simply won’t be able to fly as much internationally as we had planned next summer or as we did in summer 2019," said Vasu Raja, American’s Chief Revenue Officer. 

United, on the other hand, has announced it would return to Dubrovnik next summer.

United introduced a regular line between Dubrovnik and New York in early July this year. Three flights a week were announced which quickly increased to four times a week from the beginning of July to the beginning of October this year.

Encouraged by the great interest, the airline announced that traffic between Dubrovnik and New York would run in the summer flight schedule next year.

Unlike this year, United Airlines plans to launch the first flight between Dubrovnik and New York at the end of May (May 27, 2022). This summer season, the last flight was at the very beginning of October, and for next year, United plans regular operations until the very end of October (October 26, 2022). Thus, this line will be in traffic for a full two months longer next summer compared to this season.

Delta Air Lines, which also operated regularly between New York and Dubrovnik this summer, has not yet released tickets on this route for next summer. If this route doesn't relaunch, United may increase its capacity to Dubrovnik, either by introducing a larger type of aircraft or by increasing weekly rotations. Only time will tell. 

For more on flights to Croatia and other travel announcements, make sure to check out our dedicated travel section.

ZAGREB, 11 Dec, 2021 - Croatia has registered 3,860 new coronavirus cases and 58 COVID-related deaths in the last 24 hours, the national coronavirus response team reported on Saturday.

The number of active cases stands at 26,483 and among them 2,290 infected persons are receiving hospital treatment, including 323 who are on ventilators.

A total of 23,895 people are self-isolating.

Since 25 February 2020, when the first case was confirmed in Croatia, 651,863 people have been registered as having contracted the SARS-CoV-2 virus, of whom 11,574 have died.

A total of 613,806 people have recovered, including 4,143 in the last 24 hours.

To date, 3,570,483 people have tested for the new virus, of whom 11,161 in the last 24 hours.

54.81% of total population vaccinated

As of Friday, 4,361,237 COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered, with 54.81 per cent of the total population, or 65.36 per cent of the adult population, having been vaccinated.

A total of 2,224,323 people have received at least one dose and 2,029,476 of them have been fully vaccinated, which is 59.84 per cent of the adult population.

For more on COVID-19, follow TCN's dedicated page.

For more about Croatia, CLICK HERE.

ZAGREB, 11 December, 2021 - Croatia's USKOK anti-corruption office and the EU's anti-fraud office OLAF are investigating four contracts signed by the Regional Development and EU Funds Ministry with the Omega Software company, with one having been signed by Tomislav Tolušić during his term as minister, says Jutarnji List daily.

The contracts with the company are being probed because the value of the deal with Omega Software, regarding the making and maintenance of the eFondovi system, grew from the initial HRK 4.6 million to close to HRK 32 million.

USKOK spokesman Sergej Abramov has confirmed that a preliminary investigation is under way but the public will not be informed of its findings as actions during preliminary investigations are confidential.

The first contract with Omega Software was signed by then Regional Development and EU Funds Minister Tolušić, while the others were signed by former minister Gabrijela Žalac, who has been in custody since mid-November on suspicion of having embezzled, in a case dubbed Software, €1.8 million from the EU and Croatian budgets.

Tolušić has told Jutarnji List that he does not remember the deal with Omega Software because he was Regional Development and EU Funds Minister for a short period of time, and he has also said that nobody has contacted him or inquired about his winery which the media have been speculating about for some time, namely how he acquired it.

After Žalac, one of the contracts with Omega Software was signed with her successor Marko Pavić, and at the time the value of the contracts signed with the company was close to HRK 32 million.

The eFondovi system, made by Omega Software, has been used to sign 4,577 contracts worth HRK 44.2 billion.

The company, whose director is Goran Mihalić, has said that there is nothing disputable about the software and that its price rose to HRK 32 million because eFondovi "is an exceptionally complex system covering integral management of EU funds."

Incumbent Regional Development and EU Funds Minister Nataša Tramišak said earlier this year that the system did not meet the ministry's demands, that only one company could apply to a ministry tender, and ordered a new system from the Financial Agency worth HRK 14 million.

Around 450 reports have been filed with OLAF regarding Croatia, and so far around 250 cases have been closed. Not all reports refer to criminal activity, most concern administrative errors or failures, Jutarnji List says.

December 11, 2021 – This week Zagreb theatre audiences enjoyed the premier of Edward II, a play as timeless as the themes it deals with.

Edward II, a late 16^th century theatre play by Christopher Marlowe, is seeing its most recent re-imagining under the confident directing of Senka Bulic and her Kazaliste Hotel Bulic production house. December 8^th was the date of the premier performance at the Travno Cultural Centre in Zagreb. The first open public performance was on December 9^th.

Historical Text

The play followed the first Croatian translation of the piece by Mate Maras and was adapted by Vesna Dikanovic. It is a continuation of Kazaliste Hotel Bulic plays that re-visit less famous, but powerful historical texts. The protagonists of Edward II find themselves in a turbulent situation that eventually sees most of them alternating from positions of power to personal demise. It is a story of corruption, struggle for power and personal relationships caught in the middle. The play never lets out. It is a high intensity affair, keeping the audience at the edge of their seats throughout. This modern re-imagining features plenty of powerful and, at times, disturbing imagery. The fact many of its main themes are easily transferrable to the modern times only speaks in favour of the timeless quality of the original text.

The Performances

The ensemble carries this physically and emotionally demanding play extremely well. Entire cast is on stage, visible to public, pretty much during the entire performance, removing any chance of mid-play corrections.

Jure Radnic masterfully executes the lead role of King Edawrd. Among several impressive performances, he manages to stand out as the true main actor. The rest of the cast are  Ines Trickovic, Marko Braic, Lovro Ivankovic, Marinko Les, Pasko Vukasovic, Dusan Gojic and Eva Zlovolic. All of them are well worthy of their roles with special mention going to an incredibly physical performance of Marko Braic and impressively energetic and almost unhinged portrayal of Lancaster by Lovro Ivankovic. Ines Trickovic plays the lead female role, embodying Queen Isabella. Trickovic, a well-known Croatian jazz artist came into the ensemble in her first serious theatre role and impressed all who witnessed her strong acting performance which also included various demanding elements including singing and juggling. This was also the first performance by the youngest actor on stage, Eva Zlovolic, age 9, who appeared in the role of the prince.

When all is said and done, it seems Edward II proves itself as another undeniably successful, ambitious, and dynamic play helmed by Senka Bulic, illustrious Croatian director and actress. It is an unconventional play, but one that guarantees emotional response from its audience. It is safe to say we will all be hearing much more about Edward II. If you’ve missed these initial two performances, fear not. The latest news from the production say we are to expect two more performances . They are shceduled for 17^th and 18^th of January at 8:00pm. The venue will be Cultural Centre Travno (KC Travno).

 To read more about lifestyle in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

December 11, 2021 - It seems that I am not the only person who believes in the potential of eastern Croatia, as Beyondi Business Beyond Development announces the creation of an IT village in Baranja and a Cryptoberfest festival - from Munich to Karanac. 

In October 2019, I visited one of the most progressive - and most remote - primary schools in the country. With one of THE most inspiring and progressive teachers. Goran Padunovic from Popovac Primary School close to the Hungarian border has been an occasional (and outstanding) TCN contributor for TCN over the years, and on a 2019 visit to Slavonia, I invited myself to come and visit the school to see just what kind of excellence can be achieved with the right mindset and dedication of quality teachers such as Goran. You can read more about that trip in Popovac Primary School, a Creative Beacon of Hope in Baranja. 

As I climbed the Baranja equivalent of Mount Everest (about 100m above sea level, from memory), I looked back at this beautiful, fertile and increasingly empty part of eastern Croatia, and I wrote this:

I had come to the east of Croatia knowing I would meet great people (it is impossible not to in Slavonia), but I thought I would come across a lot more despair. Quite the opposite was true. People here have got such a great attitude to life, the nature truly is unspoiled, and there is a great sense of community and a very safe environment. 

As I took a tour of the area with Goran, Marijana and the deputy mayor to the highest point of Baranja (not that high!), I looked back over the flatlands of Baranja and Hungary beyond, and I wondered. Emptying today, but for how long? 

As they said in the school, the only thing missing in this paradise is jobs which has led to people leaving. In many other aspects, it is a gorgeous place to live, especially for those looking to escape the rat race in exchange for a more natural way of life. 

The digital revolution is coming, and it will come to Baranja as well in time. With one estimate of one billion people working remotely by 2035, I for one would not be surprised if a little creative thinking and investment might reverse the emigration and attract people to come and work remotely and raise their kids in this lovely, natural part of the planet. 

And then, yesterday, in my LinkedIn inbox - this!

This week my company Beyondi Business Beyond Development acquired this etno village house with 7000m2 land from 19th century.

We are going to build a first-ever IT Village on this planet with a goal to introduce various technologies, trends and education, supported only by crypto!

Our goal is to support the amazing Osijek, Croatia IT community with STEM education for kids, remote offices, jumpstart developer educations, masterminds, digital nomads etc!

We will combine our Slavonian hospitality, agriculture and technology! You are all welcome here!

I have an announcement for one of the biggest projects already confirmed! It is Cryptoberfest from Munich! Amazing crew and network of investors, professionals, developers! David Widmann Jens Ziesel will come and host it in Karanac (near Osijek), Croatia! My heart is full and this will be my legacy for this region! Thank you.

And so it starts... 

Did you know that the closest point in Croatia to Budapest Airport is Baranja?

Change is coming, as the Era of Community is upon us. Mobile community. 

If you have not been to eastern Croatia yet, and have little idea what you are missing out on, it is something like this - Time to Tell the Truth about Slavonia Full of Life.

If you are a foreign business investing in a business or social enterprise in eastern Croatia and would like to be featured on TCN in this series, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Subject Slavonia, Full of Life. 

ZAGREB, 11 December, 2021 - A search is still ongoing for a 10-year-old girl who disappeared in the swollen Dragonja river on Thursday night as a group of migrants attempted to illegally cross the Croatian-Slovenian border, Istria County police said on Friday.

The police said that a Turkish woman, the mother of the missing girl, had been rescued from the river. They added that a document found indicated that the child was disabled.

About 40 Croatian police officers and divers have been joined by Slovenian divers in the search for the missing girl, Istria County police spokeswoman Suzana Sokač said at the Plovanija border crossing point.

The chief of police in Buje, Boban Robin Paulović, said that Croatian and Slovenian firefighters and hunters had also been involved in the search. He said that the search was hampered by rugged terrain and that drones were also being used.

"I hope we will find the child in good shape, although time is running out," Paulović said.

The girl's mother is recovering in the Pula hospital and is expected to be discharged later today. According to unofficial sources, she is also the mother of the 5-year-old and 13-year-old boys who were found, while the 18-year-old is her nephew.

The Dragonja river is not very deep at the spot where the migrants were found, but has swollen due to heavy rains and the currents there are very strong.

December the 11th, 2021 - The Republic of Croatia finally meets all of the many requirements for Schengen entry, and European Union member states agreed this on Thursday, paving the way for a final decision on the matter.

As Poslovni Dnevnik writes, the 27 EU member states agreed that Croatia meets all the conditions for implementing the Schengen acquis, paving the way for a final decision on Schengen entry which is without any control when crossing the European Union's internal borders.

The agreed text of the conclusions was formally adopted by EU member states' interior ministers on Thursday without further discussion.

Two other member states, the Netherlands and Sweden, had procedural reservations at a meeting of the Permanent Representatives Committee (Coreper) on Wednesday as their representatives awaited consultation(s) with the relevant committees in their respective parliaments, and conclusions couldn't be reached without the consent of all member states. The green light finally arrived for Croatian Schengen entry on Thursday, in time for the interior ministers who gathered in Brussels to officially confirm it.

Representatives of both of the aforementioned countries said that in principle they had no substantive objections to the text of the conclusions, but that these are common procedures in their countries when a position to be represented by their representatives in Brussels has sought consultations with the relevant parliamentary committees.

"Croatia has met all of the necessary conditions for the implementation of all parts of the Schengen acquis," the text of the agreed conclusions reads. This created the preconditions for the Council to take a decision in accordance with Article 4 (2) of the Agreement on the Accession of Croatia, which allows for the abolition of internal border controls. "With a view to Croatia's accession to Schengen, Croatia is called upon to continue to consistently implement the Schengen acquis and the obligations related to the Schengen acquis," the conclusions said.

These conclusions are a procedurally necessary condition for making a decision on Croatian Schengen entry and removing border controls at the Croatian land border with Slovenia and Hungary, as well as at airports and seaports.

The final decision on Schengen entry could be made in about six months during the French EU presidency, and it requires the explicit consent of all Schengen member states. The Council should also seek the opinion of the European Parliament, which it may or may not follow.

The adopted conclusions don't mean that the decision for Croatia to join Schengen is guaranteed as it cannot be ruled out that some of member states might block the decision. Conclusions on Schengen readiness for Bulgaria and Romania were adopted way back in 2011, and the two countries are still outside Schengen.

The text itself states that the adopted conclusions meet the preconditions for the Council to be able to subsequently decide that all parts of the Schengen acquis apply in Croatia.

"The Council can begin work on the draft decision with a view to forwarding it to the European Parliament for consultation as soon as possible," the conclusions said.

Schengen entry requires thorough evaluations to assess whether the country can take responsibility for external border control on behalf of other Schengen countries, to cooperate effectively with the police authorities of other Schengen member states in order to maintain a high level of security after the abolition of border controls, to apply Schengen rules, such as the control of land, sea and air borders (airports), the issuance of Schengen visas, police cooperation and protection of personal data, and the connection with and use of the Schengen Information System.

Onthr 6th of March 2015, Croatia sent a letter stating that it was ready to start evaluations in all relevant areas of the Schengen acquis as of the 1st of July of the same year. The evaluation process began in June 2016 and was completed in May 2019, and the European Commission confirmed on the 22nd of October 2019 that Croatia meets all the technical requirements for Schengen entry.

The procedure was carried out by teams of experts from the European Commission and EU member states, who, after carrying out all of the inspections, wrote a series of reports and recommendations to correct all of Croatia's identified shortcomings. Following these recommendations, Croatia has developed action plans to address these shortcomings. The last action plan for the area of ​​external border management was concluded back in February this year.

Croatia has gone through the most comprehensive and detailed process of assessing its readiness for Schengen membership, which no EU member state has encountered so far. It fulfilled 281 recommendations in eight areas of the Schengen acquis, of which 145 recommendations related solely to the area of ​​external border control.

With the help of the EU, Croatia has invested significant funds in its border protection, which is guarded by six and a half thousand police officers. It has been under a lot of pressure from migrants trying to enter EU territory for a long time and border police have been accused by the media and NGOs of forcibly returning and inhumanely treating illegal migrants trying to cross.

For more, check out our dedicated politics section.

December the 11th, 2021 - Seventeen Croatian enterprises have found themselves ranked among the best of the best when it comes to successful IT companies, which is no surprise when one looks at the blossoming Croatian IT sector, which excelled even during the pandemic in 2020.

As Poslovni Dnevnik/Lucija Spiljak writes, the world's leading ranking platform, Clutch, has published a list of the 1000 best companies in the global B2B market, which includes seventeen Croatian enterprises - in the very impressive seventh place, and also the best ranked Croatian company, is Infinum.

Among the top 100 are Q Agency and Five, followed by Gauss Development, Bornfight, Neuralab, Ars Futura, DECODE, Undabot, Netgen, Inchoo, Ingemark, Kontra, Cinnamon, Mono Software, Agency04 and Human.

Clutch 1000 represents only one percent of the best companies listed on the platform from around the world, specialising in the provision of various services.

They analyse each company based on four criteria - number, quality and latest reviews, the selection of clients with which the companies work, services they offer and user experience, as well as brand reputation and overall visibility in target markets.

“After an unpredictable year, with an impressive backdrop of services, skills and more, these companies are consistently proving their commitment to customers while remaining the best service providers in their fields,” said Clutch founder Mike Beares.

Most of the Croatian enterprises on this list are regularly on the list of the fastest growing companies across Central Europe and the EMEA region, and they have shown that even a global pandemic cannot slow down their growth.

The best-placed of the Croatian enterprises listed, Infinum, recently took over the Macedonian company 3P Development, which is their first acquisition and also their sixth office. Last year, in cooperation with Porsche Digital, they founded the Porsche Digital Croatia development centre which is based in Zagreb.

They announced expansion to the British market, brand development across the rest of Western Europe and continued their expansion over in the US where they are increasing the number of people on their team in New York. After Zagreb and Germany's Hessen, Agency04 opened its third office in the very heart of Split, which exceeded 130 employees. Clutch's new list coincided with the Best Employer Brand Awards Adria competition, in which Q won six awards.

With the new Clutch award, Osijek's Mono Software is the overall winner and winner of the Financial Balance of the Financial Agency for the most successful enterprise according to the financial rating in 2020, and also the winner of the Golden Balance in the information and communication category.

Undabot, a Zagreb-based company for the design and development of mobile and web applications, recently won two prestigious international awards - for excellence on the web in the category "Application and mobile phones - Productivity" and W3 award in the category "Mobile features - Best use of mobile camera".

Admittedly, the digital agency Five is no longer, technically, one of the Croatian enterprises, but it is worth recalling their success after their "exit" this year - Five (today Five Endava) was bought by the British Endava for a massive 250 million kuna.

Neuralab has been on Clutch's list since back in 2017, and it is among the Top 1000 global agencies for the third year in a row and the first in the world in regard to WooCommerce technology. This is especially pleasing to director Kresimir Koncic, who duly noted that Clutch bases its assessment of companies on the so-called client audits that aren't very easy to obtain.

“Neuralab has about 33 extremely positive reviews, ie audits on Clutch, but in reality we've completed more than 200 successful projects. Recognitions like this are a helping hand to our team because we're constantly trying to improve our production. The whole of 2022 is practically reserved for projects and we're going to spend the next year ironing out internal workflows, hiring new members of our programming team and increasing the quality of our web applications,'' announced Koncic.

For more, check out our dedicated business section.