June the 1st, 2021 - The Croatian Algebra educational institution is offering scholarships for its MBA programme which exceed the very handsome amount of 500,000 kuna.

As Novac writes, the final presentation of the candidates who have applied, the team work on this assignment and then the announcement of the most successful scholarship holders ended the scholarship competition of the Croatian Algebra University this past weekend.

The above competition involved candidates who were given the opportunity to win full and partial scholarships for the only e-Leadership MBA programme in Croatia and the wider area. It involves teaching modules imbued with topics related to the digital transformation and the industrial revolution 4.0, the Croatian Algebra University said.

The partner of the final day of the competition was one of the most innovative global marketing companies, Red Bull, whose experts prepared a challenging business case to be solved by Algebra's scholarship candidates. The mentors available to the teams were Hrvoje Martic (Infodom), Luka Maricic (Superology), Filip Petrovic (JGL), Mario Pavic (Five), Juraj Zlof (GrowthFix), Petra Stojanov (Algebra LAB) and Zeljko Riha (Riha & Stamac).

As part of this year's competition, one full scholarship, one scholarship in the amount of half the tuition fee and ten partial scholarships were awarded. Although the applications for the scholarship competition were individual, on the scholarship day itself, the candidates competed in teams, so that, in addition to individuals, members of the three best placed teams also won partial scholarships for MBA studies at the Croatian Algebra University.

The candidates, who were divided into teams, voted for the performances of other teams and solutions to the aforementioned Red Bull business challenge that they liked the most. Members of the winning team, "Arima One", won scholarships for the MBA programme in the amount of 35,000 kuna per candidate, the second-placed team "Running Cord" was offered scholarships in the amount of 30,000 kuna, while the third-placed team, "Divas", was awarded scholarships in the amount of 25,000 kuna per candidate.

The jury will then award the most valuable prizes, a full scholarship for the MBA programme in the amount of 135,000 kuna, as well as all remaining partial scholarships this year, after further analysis of individual performances in the coming days due to the complexity of the evaluation process and the very good presentations of the candidates with their project solutions. The jury of this year's scholarship competition consists of members of the MBA team of the University of Algebra - Goran Radman, Maja Dujlovic, Arsen Solic and Natasa Soic.

"We believe that our vision of upgrading the classic MBA study with topics related to the digital transformation and the industrial revolution 4.0 is becoming more and more real every year, with each new generation of students.

The great interest we've seen from the candidates for this year's scholarship competition as well as the great successes achieved in the business sphere and in the careers of our previous candidates, as well as our current students and graduates, show that this MBA programme has successfully responded to the challenge of educating people for leadership and management skills, but also that it inspired them to creatively apply digital technologies with the goal of digitally transforming the business of their companies. We'd like to congratulate all of the scholarship holders on their scholarships and we believe that they'll also represent a step towards significant progress in their careers,'' emphasised Arsen Solic of the Croatian Algebra University.

The Algebra MBA scholarship competition is otherwise, and traditionally, a fantastic opportunity for business networking. The final competition, which sees the solving of a specific business challenge, attracts people in similar career positions in some of the best Croatian and international companies. As the Algebra MBA e-Leadership programme combines knowledge and skills from the fields of business management, managerial skills and knowledge of digital technologies, as well as the implementation of digital transformation, its participants are usually those who require some of these skills - and their synergy effect - for further advancement and to take new, leading positions in their companies.

For more, follow our dedicated lifestyle section.

June the 1st, 2021 - In Primorje-Gorski Kotar County as of today until the 31st of October this year, it is illegal to light a fire out in the open. The same law has been in place further south in Dalmatia since the 1st of May.

As Morski writes, a ban on lighting open fires will take effect in the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County from today, and the ban will be valid until October the 31st, 2021. Very high fines will be handed out without mercy to violators. The police note that open fires can be approved only on the basis of a written request that may or may not be approved by the competent fire service for any given area within Primorje-Gorski Kotar.

Here's what is forbidden out in the open fire-wise from June the 1st to October the 31st, 2021:

- The burning of rubbish, weeds, paper, dry grass and shrubs, bushes, dense forest vegetation, straw and corn, old branches and leaves generated during the felling of trees, plants, throwing matches, cigarette butts and other burning and glowing substances down in open areas, except in places where the determination over that is held by the legal entity that manages or owns such an open space.

- Improvised kilns, other open fireboxes and barbecues/grills used in places not designated for that purpose by the legal entities which are in charge of/manage such forests and forested areas and land, or by the competent body of the local and regional self-government unit.

An open space is considered to be a piece of agricultural land, protected parts of nature, forests, forested land, land in the immediate vicinity of a forest, land on which buildings are being used for both public and business purposes, the coastal zones, landfills, city parks and even in backyards.

The conditions under which lighting a fire out in the open is permitted in Primorje-Gorski Kotar:

Barbecues/grills done in a metal or fireproof housing and improvised barbecues placed in backyards in populated areas aren't considered open fires under this rule. These grills can be used if there is at least a metre and a half of cleared land around them, and with the obligatory installation of a fire extinguisher or a container with the appropriate amount of water in it to put out any accidental fires.

To use improvised fireboxes, it is necessary to clean the surrounding land from all combustible substances within a radius of three metres from the edge of the grill with the installation of an initial fire extinguisher or a water container as described above.

Penalties for those who violate this law:

In the event that a fire isn't reported, a misdemeanor report will follow, and fines for violators of this rule range from 500 to 1,000 kuna for a natural person, from 2,000 to 10,000 kuna for a legal entity, and from 1,000 to 5,000 kuna for a natural person who owns an obrt.

For those who intentionally cause fires in Primorje-Gorski Kotar, the penalties are even more rigorous. A natural person who causes a fire on purpose will be fined from 15,000 to 150,000 kuna or imprisoned for up to 60 days, and in the case of a fire being caused out of negligence, the fine will range from 2,000 to 15,000 kuna depending on the specifics in any given situation.

A legal entity that causes a fire by default will be fined from 15,000 to 150,000 kuna, and a responsible person in a legal entity will be fined anywhere between 2,000 and 15,000 kuna.

Possible causes of a fire

One tiny little moment without enough attention paid is enough to cause damage with very far-reaching consequences. Experts have warned of some of the possible causes of a fire:

- Various appliances that use electricity, gas or heating oil in use, as well as their improper handling, poor maintenance and malfunctions can cause fires with significant material damage.

- Before going on holiday or taking a trip and being away from your apartment/house, it is necessary to check and disable all sources that can cause a fire (electricity, gas, etc.),

- The disposal of flammable matches or cigarette butts in a plastic or wicker waste bin or in another container made from flammable material.

- The throwing out of cigarette butts from a vehicle window while driving.

- Leaving lighters within reach of sunlight inside a vehicle.

- Children playing with matches or a lighter, or trying to hide from adults by smoking in hidden locations.

- Decorating a space with lamps and candles, especially during holidays and celebrations.

- Lighting a campfire.

- Having a grill/barbecue in open nature.

As stated above, this rule which is set to come into force today in Primorje-Gorski Kotar County has been in force in Dalmatia since the 1st of May, 2021.

For more, follow our lifestyle section.

June the 1st, 2021 - As part of a local Rab archaeology project called Rab Archaeological (T)races, which will be held from the 14th to the 17th of June, the island's tourist guides are set to be offered free extra education in order to boost their knowledge and as such their service.

As Morski writes, the free educational and training sessions for tourist, mountain and cycling guides operating in the area of ​​the island of Rab is set to be held as the aforementioned Rab archaeology project is set to happen. As part of that, all interested tourist and cultural workers can also freely apply for the course in order to refresh their memories or boost their existing knowledge of this topic on the island.

This free training and additional education option doesn't replace the licenses required for guided tours of Rab's trails and sites, and it will be led by archaeologists Dr. sc. Ana Konestra from the Institute of Archeology and Ranko Starac, the curator of the Maritime and Historical Museum of the Croatian Littoral in Rijeka.

Due to the limited number of participants in this training sessions, licensed guides will have priority in the application process. Those who are interested in getting on this free training course can apply no later than June the 10th via: 099 / 814-0712 or by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Rab Archaeological (T)races project has arranged three educational hiking and biking trails covering a total length of 40 kilometres, where archaeological, sacral and ethno heritage hidden in untouched landscapes all over the island of Rab will be presented at 33 different locations, and an interactive mobile application (app) has been created precisely for this project that can be used for individuals exploring the island themselves or as an aid for organised guides.

For more, make sure to follow our lifestyle page. For all you need to know about Croatia's many islands and how to pick the right one for your holiday, make sure to check out our dedicated section.

June the 1st, 2021 - Croatian PM Andrej Plenkovic has claimed that despite the clear Tomasevic and Mozemo! (We Can!) win in the City of Zagreb, making him the new mayor and marking a significant political shift, that Mozemo! have something against ''this Croatia''.

As Poslovni Dnevnik writes, upon answering journalists' questions about the election results, PM Andrej Plenkovic (HDZ) said that he hadn't yet called Tomislav Tomasevic in person and congratulated him on his win and new title as the Mayor of Zagreb, but that he does intend to and will.

When he was asked how it is that everyone says they are winning, he simply said: "Count!"

“The numbers are always the best indicators. HDZ has 45 percent of cities and municipalities, 75 percent of the counties. HDZ has never won 15 counties before. I see that people Mozemo! paraphrased my message from back in 2016 when I said: "We're changing the HDZ to change Croatia." They're changing Zagreb to change Croatia. Obviously, they have something against the Croatia in which we managed to prevent social fragmentation, preserve 700,000 jobs, save 120,000 employers, pay 2.9 billion kuna within Zagreb alone for the salaries of 215,000 workers in the capital… I guess that's a message for change that needs to be done at the level of Croatia. I still have to listen carefully to precisely what changes they're calling for,'' said PM Andrej Plenkovic.

When asked what kind of cooperation he expects with Zagreb's new mayor Tomislav Tomasevic, he said that he has good cooperation with all leaders of local government units.

In a recent speech, he emphasised that the HDZ failed to win in only three out of six big cities. When asked by journalists whether or not the four largest Croatian cities are always the measure, Plenkovic pointed out the example of Velika Gorica near Zagreb, which, as he says, is growing, is now very large and that there is no big difference in population when compared to the likes of Osijek and Zadar as well.

"I'm delighted with the HDZ victory in Bjelovar-Bilogora County in the form of a young man of 36 years of age, who is one of those people of the new generation of HDZ. There, HDZ has returned to power after 20 years. It's the same situation in Varazdin County. For the first time in 20 years, Komadina had to go to the second round with Cappelli, where he won, although itsn't the sort of victory like he had before.

Of the 15 prefects we have, eight of them are "old" and seven are new. Of those seven, two are women and that’s just as important. The only women prefects are from HDZ - Antonija Jozic and Martina Furek Hajdin. The third candidate for mayor, Irena Hrstic, achieved the best HDZ result ever in Istria County, above 18 percent,'' he pointed out, emphasising that they also returned to power in Lika-Senj County.

He also accused RTL and Nova TV of deliberately mispronouncing the name of HDZ's candidate for mayor of Zagreb, Davor Filipovic, saying: "You should make a poster about what ideological television is like," to an N1 television reporter.

For more, make sure to follow our dedicated section on Croatian politics.

June 1, 2021 – Investments in the yearly maintenance of Croatian motorways are sizeable, but justified when compared to the revenue generated, particularly during the summer season.

Croatian motorways are a crucial part of Croatia’s tourism infrastructure. They are also a very important factor in connecting various regions of the country. The topography of Croatia often makes local roads inefficient. Year after year majority of guests coming to Croatia with cars have very positive comments on the motorway system. However, the entire thing doesn’t come cheap.

With the constant need for maintenance and updating, Hrvatske Autoceste (Croatian Motorways Ltd - HAC) is hard at work every year to prepare the infrastructure for the summer season. The surge of cars on Croatian roads will once again happen in a year, starting in June. Index.hr reports Croatian Motorways Ltd invested 404.9 million kn (around 54 million EUR) into this year’s maintenance and upgrading of the motorway system. Much of this money has been invested in rest stops along the motorways. This is one part of the investment travellers to Croatia will immediately feel. Upgrades made in rest stops are mostly in interiors, bathrooms, and operational technology. HAC also notes the emergency services are going to be reinforced.

New and Updated Services

Along with the standard 24/7 road assistance patrolling the motorways, additional contractors will provide more complex roadside and system maintenance services. Teams of emergency medical services and over thirty vehicles with automatic defibrillators will be on hand as well. Much like the majority of other businesses, HAC expects higher revenues in 2021 than the previous year. In 2020 the numbers were very low due to COVID19 pandemic restrictions. Because of this, HAC started this year with around a hundred employees less than 2020. Estimated revenue from motorway tolls in Croatia this year is 2,18 billion kn (around 290 million EUR).

For more on travel in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

June 1, 2021 - Having already won the 2021 HUOJ International Grand PRix for crisis management, more recognition for Manjgura and Mediacor and the Total Croatia Travel INFO Viber community with no less than 3 medals at the 2021 Polaris Awards in London last night. 

Just over a year after its founding, the Total Croatia Travel INFO Viber community (TCTI) achieved more recogntion at the Polaris Awards 2021 in London, a gala event which was held virtually this year.

TCTI was a project by leading Croatian PR company, Manjgura, Mediacor and Total Croatia News, to create a Viber community to provide much-needed travel information in real time in multiple languages to tourists wanting to come on holiday. With almost no official information available in May, 2020, TCTI became the main source of reliable information for tourists wanting to visit. A large part of the success of the community was thanks to outstanding cooperation with the Croatian Border Police, in particular Marina Mandic, head of PR for the Ministry of the Interior.

In addition to helping tourists and helping to facilitiate two weddings, TCTI was also responsible for assisting ABC News on a week-long trip of Dubrovnik. The ensuing coverage to the important US market comprised 6 feature stories, including the one above on Good Morning America which was watched by 12.5 million people. 

The awards were in the following categories:

Silver medal in the category of Creative Use of Data.

Silver Medal in the Social Media Campaign category.

Bronze medal in the Pubic Affairs Campaigns category.

Manjgura founder, Kresimir Macan, had this to say:

"They usually ask me why we did it at all with no budget, and what kept us going. We became the virtual welcome desk of Croatia. The main rule of hospitalty is to never turn away a potential guest. And the questions just kept coming. One very important thing everybody forgets - pos- Covid travels were very complex and usually the main challenges were at the first steps  of the journey while still at home, or attempting to board the plane. I’m so proud to say that all of our community members and many others successfully boarded their planes in spite of all the challenges, and they landed and entereed Croatia without problems."

And it was nice to see some other familiar faces among the winners...

PR agency Vajt from Split, owned by Jerko Trogrlic, and Dutch entrepreneur, came home with a bronze medal in the category of Social Media Campaign for their sterling work on the introdcution of the digital nomad permit to Croatia. 

About Polaris:

Polaris Awards is a global competition rewarding exceptional work in political management, election campaigning and public affairs.Now in its 4th year, the competition seeks to identify and celebrate the best political communication programs undertaken for political organizations and candidates, as well as the most innovative use of communication techniques and technologies by campaigns, political consulting and technology firms, and marketing, media and public relations agencies around the world.

Entries are judged by an international panel of 26 political management experts from all over the globe, including campaign managers, political consultants, communications professionals and academics. Awards are handed out in 18 categories based on the techniques and the media used.

You can see more of the winners on the Polaris Awards Facebook page, as well as Manjgura and Mediacor. 

The TCTI Viber community is still very active, and you can join here (you will need to download the Viber app)

June 1, 2021 - Central Istria Tourist Board COVID-19 testing is available for tourists starting Wednesday, June 2!

At the initiative of the Central Istria Tourist Board, the Istria County Teaching Institute for Public Health will perform COVID-19 tests for guests in the region from Wednesday, June 2, 2021, reports HRTurizam.

Testing will take place at the COVID test point in Pazin, in the parking lot at the back of the Memorial House, at Šetalište Pazinske gimnazije 1, on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9 am to 12 noon, only with prior notice, no later than the day before by 3 pm to e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. It is necessary to submit the name and surname, date of birth, passport or identity card number, and mobile phone number, and e-mail address to the e-mail.

The price of the rapid antigen test will be HRK 100.00, and the PCR test HRK 375.00. The results of the rapid antigen will be known two hours after testing, and the PCR test within 24 hours. Testing can be paid in cash in kuna or by card, during the testing itself, and the test results will be delivered to the e-mail address. Test results will be available in Croatian and English.

“As part of the preparations for the tourist season, on Friday, May 28, 2021, the first vaccinations of renters who had previously applied for vaccinations at the TZSI office were performed. Landlords' applications are still being received," said the Central Istria Tourist Board.

The Central Istria Tourist Board area, from January 1 to May 28, achieved 3,606 arrivals, i.e., 133% more compared to the same period last year and 115,790 overnight stays or 90% more than in the same period last year. Of this, 66% of overnight stays were realized by foreign guests and 34.00% by domestic guests. The share of overnight stays by country from January to the end of May was: Germany 40%, Croatia 34%, Slovenia and Italy with 5% each, and Serbia with 3%.

An excellent indicator of how this year, as well as in the future, the interior of Istria will be well filled.

To learn more about the Central Istria region, follow our Total Croatia page.

For more on travel in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

June 1, 2021 - The latest flight news to Croatia as two new Wizz Air flights to Croatia from Vienna will land in Dubrovnik and Split! 

Avio Radar reports that Hungarian low-cost airline Wizz Air has announced new routes from Vienna to Dubrovnik and Split! 

Namely, the Vienna-Dubrovnik line will operate twice a week, on Wednesdays and Sundays, from July 4 to September 26, while the Vienna-Split line will also operate twice a week, but on Mondays and Fridays, from July 2 to September 24.

This is only the latest from Wizz Air, which has announced a series of flights to Croatia this summer. 

Last month, the airline announced its return to Dubrovnik after several years with a connection from Rome (Fiumicino Airport) three times a week, from July 1 to October 30, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

Tickets were also released on the Warsaw and Dubrovnik line just over a week ago, which will operate from July 3 on Wednesdays and Saturdays, until September 19. 

Wizz Air has significantly increased its operations to Split this year.

The low-cost airline will run between Rome and Split from July 2 every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, until October 29. 

From June 13, WizzAir will operate between Lublin and Split, on Thursdays and Sundays, until mid-September. From June 11, it will run between Poznan and Split every Monday and Friday, also until the end of September.

Wizz Air also has lineds from Gdansk, Wroclaw, and Krakow this summer. While the airline had announced a line between Split and Oslo this year as well, the airline has decided to completely withdraw from the Norweigan airport. 

To put things into perspective, Wizz Air connected Split with only four international destinations in the summer of 2020! 

Follow the latest on flights to Croatia HERE and the latest travel updates and COVID-19 news from Croatia HERE.

For more on travel in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.