As we recently reported, Austria has chosen open its borders to its neighbours. Croatia, as a country with which Austria doesn't share a direct border, isn't yet on the list. Despite that, the favourite holiday destination of many Austrians isn't without Austrian citizens. Currently, there are 1500 Austrian citizens staying in Croatia, providing a much needed boost to the Croatian tourism industry in these trying times.

As Poslovni Dnevnik writes on the 4th of June, 2020, trips from Austria to Croatia have intensified in recent days and currently more than 1500 tourists from that country are dotted around Croatia.

Austria recently lifted all of its epidemiological measures for the travel of Austrian citizens to countries with which that country directly borders. As announced, the Republic of Croatia, together with some other countries that are not Austria's direct neighbours, should be added to that list next week at some point.

As it is known, Croatian tourism has a significant number of guests from Austria and Croatia's borders are now completely open to Austrian citizens. Given the excellent epidemiological situation that Croatia is lucky to be able to boast of, many in the Croatian tourism sector are convinced that Austria will follow the recommendations of the European Commission (EC) for the full liberalisation of travel to and from countries with similar epidemiological situations.

"The great interest that Croatian tourism records daily in invitations and reservations by Austrian guests is the best possible proof of just how much they want to come to Croatia and we hope that the official policy will listen to the wishes of its citizens along with EU recommendations. Croatia has one of the best epidemiological situations in all of Europe, the international media is ranking Croatia on the list of the safest travel destinations, tourism professionals have raised their services to the highest level and we're fully ready to welcome our guests,'' said Veljko Ostojic, director of the Croatian Tourism Association.

After Germany and Slovenia, Austria is in third place when it comes to the markets with which Croatia has the largest tourist turnover.

For more on travel to, from and around Croatia in the coronavirus age, follow our travel section.

June 4, 2020 - The latest news from around Croatia’s airports for flights to Croatia with updates from Zagreb, Split and Dubrovnik, Zadar and Pula. 

Croatian Aviation reports that given that the borders between EU member states should open from June 15, the Croatian national carrier has released tickets for sale to several European destinations from Zagreb.

In addition to the existing international lines from Zagreb to Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Copenhagen and Zurich, from June 15, the following flights are on sale:

Zagreb - Brussels, 4 times a week (Mon, Thu, Fri, Sun),

Zagreb - Munich, 3 times a week (Mon, Wed, Fri),

Zagreb - Sarajevo, 3 times a week (Mon, Wed, Fri),

Zagreb - London, 2 times a week (Mon, Fri),

Zagreb - Split - Rome, 3 times a week (Mon, Thu, Sun).

From June 16, the Zagreb - Dublin line will be introduced, 3 times a week (Tue, Thu, Sun), and from June 18, the Zagreb - Vienna line will be introduced, 2 times a week (Thu, Sun).

On the routes to London and Dublin, A319 / A320 aircraft will operate, while on other routes, smaller capacity aircraft of the DashQ400 type will operate.

As of June 15, Croatia Airlines will operate to 11 international destinations, along with domestic routes to Dubrovnik, Split, Zadar and Pula.

As of Monday, June 22, the company has more weekly flights on sale than in the first week of operations, but Croatia Airlines is likely to further modify its flight schedule for that period.

For the latest travel info, bookmark our main travel info article, which is updated daily. 

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June 4, 2020 - After several months away, the Croatian First League will return this week with the match between Hajduk and Inter Zapresic at Poljud on Friday at 8 pm.

This means that the pre-game press conferences have returned, but not in the standard form. Hajduk coach Igor Tudor addressed the press via Zoom on Wednesday. We are transmitting the meeting via Index.hr.

What are the expectations and what kind of Hajduk will we see?

"We are all looking forward to the game; that's why we work and live. It's a unique story to play without an audience, and it's never been pleasant for me. It's an aggravating circumstance for the home team. We have to justify the role of favorites on Friday. At the moment, we have 10 games, and we want to win each one. I think the players are in good shape; they are motivated, they are eager. "

Who stood out the most during the break?

"I never like to point out individuals, but there will be three or four new names on Friday. They have imposed themselves during this break, they are here, but in football, everything changes in a few moments. I want to get a winning mentality from the team. Every rehearsal and every addition better. I think this generation is missing that in general, we saw it in Jordan's documentary 'The Last Dance'. I want to see it and we're going in the direction of improving it."

Will there be a loudspeaker at the stadium during matches?

"We'll see. Normally it's not that, it has nothing to do with real cheering, it has pros and cons, it kills that sick silence, but on the other hand, you hear some weird noise. I really hope the audience comes back in a few rounds and we continue going in the right direction."

What is the impact of the break on the state of the team, plans for the transition period and the summer?

"As it is for us, so it is for everyone else. In time, everything will be better, in terms of the whole game. An important segment is the selection of players, and we overestimate the role of coaches in such things. You have to be a magician for that, considering the budgets that Croatian clubs have."

Any comment on the Croatian Cup semifinal?

"It didn't look bad; there was a good rhythm, a good Slaven in the first half, Lokomotiva solved the game thanks to individual class. The referees overshadowed the great game between Rijeka and Osijek; the boys in black were the best individuals there. Osijek solved that game already, but the boys in black disagreed."

What about Inter?

"We looked at them a bit in two friendly matches. We will be asked the most here. We have to run full throttle from the first minute and sort things out as soon as possible. We're going to win."

What about the match schedule?

"The schedule is not tight, and it's good that we have five substitutions. This way, while playing every five days, it's not bad."

Did you hear from Bjelica after his dismissal at Dinamo? In addition, will these referee problems ever change in the HNL?

"Neno is great, the enemy never sleeps, not even across the border, and he was surprised by a neighbor from Bosnia. As for the refereeing, Hajduk has always beared the brunt of the refs, and now that is Osijek. We give them support. In the last 30 years, what should not be happening is happening, the refs who should be invisible are always here. That can change immediately, but a few people decide it. I welcome the suspension of refs, whoever makes a mistake has to suffer the consequences. The HNL has a long, beautiful history around that, but I hope it goes in a better direction as a lot of things in this state are going in a better direction."

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

June 4, 2020 - Organized by Novak Djokovic, the Adria Tour will be held in Zadar from June 20-21, 2020.

HRT HRT reports that for the first time in his prosperous career, Croatian tennis legend Goran Ivanisevic found himself in the role of a tournament director. Namely, Ivanisevic will help direct the Adria Tour, which will be held on June 20 and 21 in Zadar. The tournament is organized by the world's best tennis player Novak Djokovic, in cooperation with the Croatian Tennis Federation, and will bring together some of the biggest names in international tennis.

"The tournament will be played on clay, we were ready for concrete, but Novak's team still decided on clay. We are waiting for the final confirmation of the number of fans that will be allowed. It will be a stadium for nine thousand people that will be installed this week, and I hope that it will allow us half of that capacity for the audience to see these best players in the world," Ivanisevic pointed out and added:

"This is a world opportunity to show Zadar and Croatia in a beautiful light, as a corona-free country and we invite tourists. Zadar proved to be not only a basketball city but also a tennis city with the two Davis Cup matches that it organized incredibly. I do not doubt that this organization will go well and that all our guests and tennis players who come from abroad will be extremely satisfied."

Ivanisevic will also participate in the tournament as Djokovic's coach, a position he has held since last year.

Adria Tour was created on the initiative of the Serbian tennis star in order to promote sports, positive values and fair play, but also to raise funds for those who need it. The Adria Tour will be held in several countries, with Dominic Thiem, Alexander Zverev, Grigor Dimitrov playing alongside Djokovic, and the two best Croatian tennis players, Marin Cilic and Borna Coric, will also play in Zadar.

"Novak already had the idea to organize a 'tour' or a couple of exhibition matches in Belgrade, Sarajevo, and Croatia. It’s hard to organize, especially with the usual schedule of tennis players. This corona, no matter how much evil and misfortune it brought, made the 'Adria Tour' possible. Novak asked me how Croatia could get involved, I checked with the Croatian Tennis Federation and with their help we chose Zadar. Novak's wish has come true and with this team coming, I can say that this will be a tennis spectacle in the Balkans," said Ivanisevic about Djokovic's initiative.

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

June 4, 2020 - Biokovo Nature Park will soon be enhanced thanks to the most attractive lookout point in Croatia - the new Biokovo Skywalk. 

Namely, Dalmacija Danas reports that the construction of the Biokovo Skywalk began last year in the Ravna Vlaška area. Although the end of the works was announced for the spring, the coronavirus crisis has taken its toll, and it's not surprising that the highly anticipated opening is delayed. Although it has already garnered a great deal of public attention, the Skywalk is still not open to the public and walking on it is strictly forbidden.

Unofficially, Dalmacija Danas learns that the project will be completed by the end of June, and the permit for use should be obtained within 60 days from the end of the works.

On Wednesday, Split photographer Eddy Meštrović visited Ravna Vlaška and filmed the new Skywalk from above. 

The glass walk over the abyss will be a great attraction that will bring even more visitors to this Nature Park. The construction of the glass lookout is part of a project called 'New Adrion - Promoting the Sustainable Use of the Natural Heritage of PP Biokovo'.

The Skywalk is located 1228 meters above sea level and is envisaged as an upgrade of an existing lookout point in the Ravna Vlaška area of the Biokovo Nature Park. 

This lookout is designed as a prestressed reinforced concrete structure that cantilevers over a cliff overlooking the Makarska Riviera, Adriatic, islands, and open sea. A glass walkway has been laid on the primary concrete structure to provide a bird's eye view in all directions, creating a unique adrenaline experience. 

The potential of the Ravna Vlaška lookout point has been enhanced by an innovative architectural and engineering solution, which with its attractiveness, goes beyond the local tourist offer and contributes to the tourist potential of the whole of Dalmatia.

Within this part of the Biokovo Skywalk project, which will be in the zone of the visitor infrastructure of Ravna Vlaška, the construction of a geological pillar with special infoblocks is envisaged. It is a three-dimensional representation of the cross-section of geological periods and the geological origin of Dalmatia's glorious Biokovo Nature Park, which will be made according to the inputs of the park's expert service.

The total cost of the construction of the lookout and the geological pillar, as well as its accompanying surveillance, stands at slightly more than 8 million kuna in total.

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

June 4, 2020 - Geopark Biokovo and Imotski Lakes has launched an initiative to join the UNESCO Global Geopark network. 

HRTurizam reports that UNESCO Geoparks are unique geographical areas of international geological significance governed by a holistic concept of protection, education, and sustainable development.

Precisely with the aim of protection, sustainable development and tourism, the Association Geopark Imotski Lakes and the Public Institution Nature Park Biokovo launched an initiative to establish "Geopark Biokovo-Imotski Lakes" to join UNESCO Global Geoparks.

One of the main ways to stimulate the economy and sustainable development of the future UNESCO Geopark is through geotourism, says Luka Kolovrat, president of Geopark Imotski Lakes, adding that by raising awareness and educating about the importance of geological heritage, UNESCO geoparks give the local community a sense of pride and strengthen their identification in the area they live.

“Geoparks attract a larger number of visitors with their activities and enable the launch of various production and service activities that contribute to the socio-economic development of the community. Not only geologically interesting places, but also various other ecological, archeological, historical and cultural sights contribute to geoparks, and they are supported and actively participated by local communities that know how to recognize and want to affirm their geological, historical and cultural heritage, mostly through the idea of geotourism. The opening of innovative crafts and new jobs encourages the creation of new sources of income within geotourism, strengthens the local community, and at the same time, the geological resources of the area remain protected," says Kolovrat.

The boundaries of the future Geopark Biokovo-Imotski Lakes have already been determined, and their total area is 431 km2. They cover the areas of the municipalities of Imotski, Proložac, Podbablje, Zmijavce, Lokvičići, Lovreć, Zagvozd and Runovići.

"Our joint initiative stemmed from the fact that the Biokovo Nature Park and the Imotski region form a geologically, geomorphologically and landscape-unique area of ​​the Dinaric karst, and our wish is to use the potentials of both areas for the benefit of the local community," Kolovrat points out.

In general, when we talk about the area that will include the future Geopark Biokovo-Imotski Lakes, it is an area that in addition to attracting attention with its relief and geomorphological forms, or numerous karst phenomena, adorns a great wealth of flora and fauna including many endemic species.

In addition to the most attractive protected natural monuments and phenomena of world importance, the Red and Blue Lakes, there is also the Krčevac spring, which is currently the only confirmed locality of Proteus anguinus in the Imotski region. There is also the Zovnjača cave in the municipality of Podbablje, which was recently established as an important archaeological and biospeleological site.

Other sights include the Opačac spring, the Vrljika river, Ričice lakes, Galipovac, Knezovića and Mamića lakes, Prološko blato, Lokvičićka lakes, Dva oka and numerous other localities that were created during a long geological period by the tireless work of water. The ichthyofauna of the Imotski region is significant for several protected endemic species, and some of them are soft-mouthed trout (Salmothymus obtusirostris), Croatian roach (Rutilus basak), Imotski gaovica (Delminichthys adspersus), Squalius microlepis, and Cobitis.

So far, numerous systematic and complex geological surveys have been carried out, monitoring is being carried out, the public is being educated, brochures, guides, manuals, and educational materials have been printed.

The joint Geopark website is being developed, as well as the creation and marking geo-trails, and a joint Facebook page has been created, which is updated daily, points out Ivana Ćapin from the Association Geopark Imotski Lakes and adds: “Since we are aware of the great potential of the area which we live with all its features, together we embarked on this challenging project to become part of the international network of UNESCO Geoparks. As for our future joint activities, they are holding a presentation in November this year, then making a ten-year study with a management plan, and marking the geo-trail of the future Biokovo-Imotski Lakes Geopark. And most importantly, in the summer of 2021, the arrival of the Commission and evaluation is expected, and after that the accession to the network of world Geoparks under UNESCO protection," emphasizes Ćapin.

The network of UNESCO World Geoparks consists of areas of the geological and geomorphological heritage of international importance, while the goal of the UNESCO World Geoparks program is to protect geological, geomorphological and other values of geoparks and manage the area through education and implementation of activities following sustainable development goals and for the benefit of the local community.

We currently have two UNESCO Geoparks in Croatia: the Papuk Nature Park and the Vis Archipelago, and we will soon find out whether the Biokovo-Imotski Lakes Geopark will become the third UNESCO Geopark in Croatia.

More information can be found HERE

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

June 3, 2020 - TCN meets the current EU Presidency Tourism Minister Gari Cappelli who kindly agreed to answer questions on the current travel situation in Croatia and the EU.

There is a lot of talk about the internal borders being opened on June 15, but I can't find an official announcement. Are EU internal borders opening on June 15?

We are aiming to reopen internal borders on June 15 or June 16, but this has not yet been 100% confirmed. An announcement will be made shortly. There is also a big meeting of EU members scheduled for June 19. While we all want tourism to start, the epidemiological situation must be under control. Even when we do open borders, I would expect some countries to have restrictions. We are working towards a date of June 15. This opening of borders will be for all EU states, not just those in Schengen. 

What about external EU borders and continental flights?

We are currently working with the airlines towards an opening of external borders on July 1, but ONLY for countries which have a good epidemiological situation.

If an American is already living or travelling in Europe, can they currently visit Croatia?

Yes. If they can get to the Croatian border and fulfill Croatia's entry requirements, they are very welcome. We have had 316 Americans entering the country in recent days. 

There has been speculation about air bridges from the UK to other tourism countries, including Croatia. Can you tell us more?

No. I have been involved in no such discussions, yet.

What is the situation for people wanting to drive to Croatia from across Europe. Are there any problems?

I have heard of a couple of isolated incidents, but in general, there is no problem. My strong advice is to register your details at https://entercroatia.mup.hr/ This is a service that we developed very quickly so that we can facilitate smoother travel for our guests, a quicker border crossing, and the ability to contact our guests in the event of a virus outbreak. If you are driving to Croatia, fill in this form and you will receive a confirmation from the Croatian police. Show that confirmation and proof of paid reservation, and you will have no problem. 

I hope this clarifies some of your readers' questions. I hope you all have a wonderful stay in our beautiful country. You are all very welcome.

For the latest travel info, bookmark our main travel info article, which is updated daily. 

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June 4, 2020 - With tourism slowly starting, who is flying to Split and Dubrovnik, and how many flights are scheduled this month?

I met with Croatian Minister of Tourism, Gari Cappelli yesterday to discuss various issues relating to tourism. Minister Cappelli gave me some official answers on EU border openings, air bridges and driving across Europe to enter Croatia. I will publish this interview once all the information in the article is double-checked, hopefully today. Croatia currently hold the EU presidency, so Minister Cappelli is speaking on behalf of the EU, so all must be 100% correct. 

One other issue I asked for is better access to current information for our readers. We start with something many people want to know - who is flying to Split, how many planes are there, and where from. PLEASE NOTE this is purely advisory and you should check everything with the relevant airline. Changes and cancellations are inevitable. 

This is what I received. 

Dear Mr. Bradbury,

following your inquiry about the number of flights, below you can find information about flight announcements.

IMPORTANT! – This information are announcements and are subject to change.

Regarding the airport in Split: There are a total of 365 active flights (39 to 15 June + 326 second half of June) with 115,365 seats. Although the announcements are still valid, it is realistic to expect the realization of about 50 percent of the announced flights (180 flights).

Destinations for Airport Split in June 2020:

At Dubrovnik Airport, in the second half of June, there are currently 10 active flights from Tel Aviv, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Oslo, Pariz, Nantes, Porto and confirmation of additional routes is expected.

For the latest travel info, bookmark our main travel info article, which is updated daily. 

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