October 6, 2020 – The first tourist conference during the coronavirus pandemic entitled "Croatian Tourism 365? – Post-COVID tourism and new opportunities" was held today in Tuheljske Toplice. Top domestic and EU tourism experts analyzed this year’s tourism results and discussed post-COVID challenges and opportunities.

Great emphasis was placed on the year-round Croatian tourist offer.

At the introductory presentation "Tourism 2020 - What after Covid-19?", the global director of tourism consulting from the company Horwath HTL, Siniša Topolović, explained that everyone in tourism has suffered significant blows due to coronavirus. However, Croatia still achieved over 40 percent of last year's tourism compared to Europe, where that percentage is around 30 percent.

Also, Croatia reached 60 percent of last year's traffic in July and August, and by the end of the year, we can expect about 50 percent of last year's traffic.

Topolović also pointed out that Zadar County achieved the highest index of tourist traffic compared to 2019 – 60 percent, while Istria County traditionally has the highest number of overnight stays. Zagreb is the most successful continental destination, and Dubrovnik County has experienced the biggest decline this year.

"This year it is worth 'the further south, the sadder', but this year should be used to emphasize the quality of tourism," said Topolović, adding that this year's winners are quality providers of private and hotel accommodation and quality caterers.

Year-round tourism and linking the offer

The organizer of the conference, Ivana Kolar, pointed out that year-round tourism can be one of the answers to the existing COVID-19 challenges, with which the vice president of the Croatian Chamber of Commerce for Agriculture and Tourism, Dragan Kovačević, agreed.

In his opinion, we should think about Croatian tourism from the perspective of a modern tourist.

"Modern tourists use modern technologies, book accommodation at the last minute, quickly change locations, look for an alternative to mass tourism, are looking for an authentic experience to get to know the local population, customs, traditions, and culture of the people. Because of its cultural and natural features, Croatia has a lot to offer," explains Kovačević.

Zadar County achieved the highest index of tourist traffic compared to 2019 – 60 percent / Copyright Romulić and Stojčić

Željko Kolar, a prefect of Krapina-Zagorje County, believes that "it is important that we are evaluated by regions, and not by the whole country so that we have a better chance of being on the market." He also points out that all types of tourism (wellness tourism, health tourism, religious tourism) must be brought together in the offer.

'More comprehensive destinations'

Minister of Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Croatia Nikolina Brnjac emphasized during the Ministerial Forum that the goal of Croatian tourism is to move away from seasonality.

"We cannot rely on seasonality, but we must have good products for that," said the Minister, confirming the opinions of Topolović and Kolar that quality products (4 and 5-star hotels, family farms, holiday homes, marinas) did good business this year. The fact that over 300 megayachts visited the Croatian coast this year is not negligible.

Istria County traditionally has the highest number of overnight stays / Copyright Romulić and Stojčić

The Ministerial Forum was also attended by Zdravko Počivalšek, Minister of Economy and Technology Development of the Republic of Slovenia, Fernando Valdés Verelst, State Secretary for Tourism, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism of the Kingdom of Spain (online), and Elisabeth Köstinger, Minister of Agriculture, Region and tourism of the Republic of Austria (online). They discussed the future of tourism in their countries.

Fernando Valdés Verelst stated that Spain sees coronavirus as a possibility and that they "really need to start offering more comprehensive destinations."

40,000 tourists still in Croatia

Kristjan Staničić, director of the Croatian Tourist Board, said that the year was extremely demanding for the main season, although the tourist year is still going on, and today we have another 40,000 tourists in Croatia, mostly foreign.

"A lot of energy and funds are focused on key emitting markets, but also on the domestic market where we are implementing two important projects – a 'Week worth of vacation' and a 'Croatian tourist card'. These are projects that will be upgraded in the future and will provide an answer to the question of this conference – Croatian tourism 365? The answer is that it can, but with the synergy of all of us," concluded Staničić.

Zagreb is the most successful continental destination / Copyright Romulić and Stojčić

He also stated that this year's experience is a good basis for preparing what awaits us in 2021, but we need an even bigger and more intensive campaign, more informing the general public that we are a safe and close destination with good value for money.

Look into the future

At the beginning of the conference, Topolović pointed out that "people still want to travel, everyone has to go on vacation," and that the sun and the sea have their future even in the biggest crisis.

However, Minister Brnjac says that "it is dangerous to rely on one product only – the sun and the coast." Therefore, the guidelines for the development of a new tourism strategy relate to the quality of tourism infrastructure, accommodation facilities, and the emphasis is placed on additional product offerings.

The problem in Croatian tourism is currently underdeveloped off-season products such as the ski season, wellness tourism, and spas.

"'Pre- and post-season have a future only if we have quality products and services," is the main argument of Topalović.

Dubrovnik County has experienced the biggest decline this year / Copyright Romulić and Stojčić

A chance for further development

As the world recovers from the corona crisis, different segments of tourist travel will recover. Regional car travel will recover faster, train and domestic air travel slower, and international air traffic will need the most recovery time.

"Tourism is a reactive activity – as it blows, so the situation will develop," describes Topolović. Therefore, tourism must be well planned to be sustainable in the long run.

All the interlocutors of this conference agree on one thing: this crisis has shown us the weakest points of tourism, but it also opened our eyes to its improvement in the future. Therefore, this crisis is a chance for further development.

The most important thing, everyone says, is to stay positive in this situation.

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ZAGREB, Oct 6, 2020 - The future of the Croatian tourist industry lies in year-round tourism, better service quality, development of new products and infrastructure, and responsible and sustainable management, Tourism and Sport Minister Nikolina Brnjac said on Tuesday.

She was speaking at the fourth international conference on year-round tourism in the Terme Tuhelj spa, which brought together about a hundred participants, mostly industry professionals but also online participants. Their general opinion was that this year was very difficult for the tourist industry as well as for the economy and society as a whole.

All speakers highlighted the global coronavirus pandemic and uncertainty for next year and beyond because of a sharp decline in tourism revenues and unemployment, especially in Spain, and expressed concern about a growing number of people infected with the novel virus.

They were hoping for EU guidelines and common standards for all EU member states in deciding on travel restrictions and testing, emphasising the need for a regional approach and mapping.

"This year the Croatian tourism industry has managed to achieve slightly better results than initially expected, so that annual revenues could reach 50 percent of last year's, but we will know that at the start of next year. We can be pleased. We also have a lot expectations from EU funds, which will also provide money for tourism, but we need good projects," Brnjac said.

She stressed the importance of observing epidemiological measures and maintaining health safety in Croatia as a tourist destination.

"Our aim is to extend the tourist season, because seasonality is a major problem for tourism, but the extension must be sustainable. COVID is a chance, no matter how hard it may be, to change the concept of Croatian tourism, which requires new, high-quality tourist products and accommodation, and development of year-round services, because we have seen how dangerous it is to rely on the sun and the coast alone," the minister said.

ZAGREB, Oct 6, 2020 - Zagreb Mayor Milan Bandic said on Tuesday that the downgrading of Zagreb's credit rating is a direct consequence of the coronavirus pandemic, the economic downturn and payment of HRK 900 million to the national cohesion fund, adding however that there will be money for capital projects in the city.

If all our money goes to the city's budget, the credit rating would not have been downgraded, said Bandic when asked to comment on the lowering of  Zagreb's credit rating.

In this context, he recalled that Zagreb had to pay HRK 900 million into the national cohesion fund for underdeveloped areas.

He claimed that the City of Zagreb cannot have a better credit rating that the state and that it has to "float" within that framework.

The mayor, however,  highlighted that there will be money for reconstruction, the corona crisis subsidy schemes and for people with minor damage caused by floods but that there will also be money for capital projects.

ZAGREB, Oct 6, 2020 - Since Croatia launched a national programme for breast cancer early detection and diagnosis in 2006, more than 150,000 women have undergone screening tests, which has been conducive to early diagnoses in about 6,000 cases. 

On the occasion of Pink Ribbon Day, observed in October, the results of the national programme  were presented by Health Minister Vili Beros at a news conference in Zagreb on Tuesday.

Women aged between 50 and 65 are encouraged to undergo screening tests that can help in early detection of this disease.

Under this programme, they are invited to have preventive check-ups, and the minister expressed support for early cancer detection programmes.

Beros said that in 2019, 752 women suffering from breast cancer had died in Croatia, whereas in previous years this disease claimed the lives of about a 1,000 women a year.

When it comes to the breast cancer incidence rate, Croatia is above the EU average, however, Croatia's breast cancer mortality rate is below the EU average.

ZAGREB, Oct 6, 2020 - Masks will have to be worn in all indoor spaces as well as outside where close contact cannot be avoided, such as tram and bus stops, Krunoslav Capak, head of the Croatian Institute of Public Health and a member of the national COVID response team, said on Tuesday.

"Wearing masks is certainly useful and will be introduced for indoor spaces, as well outside where close contact can't be avoided in the form of a recommendation," he told the press.

Representatives of the response team have talked with bar and restaurant owners about wearing masks in their establishments and they have no objections. This would not apply while drinking or eating, but while arriving or leaving, going to the toilet and to have a cigarette, Capak said.

He said new rules on wearing masks indoors were being discussed as part of preparations for the cold part of the year and other respiratory infections, adding that contacts with the Croatian Bishops' Conference and bar and restaurant owners would continue.

Regarding possible fines, Capak said bar and restaurant owners were for stepping up inspections so that those owners who complied with the measures did not suffer.

He dismissed today's media reports about a death threat he received. "I did receive a death threat but a month ago, when I reported it to the police who are investigating. I cannot comment on that."

Regarding the upcoming skiing season, Capak said skiing in itself was not risky but that travel, staying in hotels, cafes and night clubs or riding in gondolas with 50 people was. "We epidemiologists do not recommend some things that are risky."

Minister: Wearing masks says we are responsible

Speaking at the same press conference, Health Minister Vili Beros too underlined the importance of wearing masks in fighting coronavirus, saying that, depending on the epidemiological situation, wearing them would be recommended in other circumstances as well.

He said many additional measures were being considered and that they would be activated as required.

Keeping a physical distance is the most reliable way of stopping the spread of coronavirus, but there are circumstances when that isn't possible, he said. "Then a mask is extremely important. A mask says that we are responsible, primarily towards others and less towards ourselves."

October 6, 2020 - Zagreb caterers will close for one hour on Thursday to continue the countdown warning of the difficult situation their businesses are in due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

HRTurizam reports that on Thursday, October 8, starting at 11:58 am, Zagreb caterers will suspend service in their catering facilities to warn of the difficult situation they are in due to the coronavirus pandemic and to encourage urgent action by responsible institutions to preserve jobs and prevent the collapse of the economy.

This protest is named "2 to 12" and is continued by the Independent Association of Caterers (Zagreb) to save the fate of thousands of employees in the sector and encourages citizens and caterers to show solidarity.

Encouraged by the devastating survey results on the operation of catering facilities in 2020 and the lack of reaction from responsible institutions after numerous appeals from caterers, the Independent Association of Caterers (Zagreb) with the support of the National Association of Caterers and the Voices of Entrepreneurs Association launches the "2 to 12" protest in the Croatian capital, which has over 4,500 facilities.

Caterers are looking for tax relief with a level of taxation that is realistic and paves the way for recovery. They ask the responsible institutions to suspend the collection of VAT until March 1, 2021, a permanent preferential rate on food - which according to the Food Act includes food, coffee, beer, juices, water, and wine - of 10%, access to HAMAG BICRO credit lines for liquidity and HBOR for investments,

Zagreb's situation is particularly difficult because, in addition to the devastation caused by the coronavirus pandemic, Zagreb was affected by the first major earthquake in the last hundred years, said Marin Medak, president of the Independent Association of Caterers.

"We are aware that problems cannot be solved overnight, but we are also obliged to warn of justified fears for our own existence. We believe that the Government will take a step forward and accept the call for dialogue. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior Davor Bozinovic recognized the caterers' appeal and started talks on the application of future anti-epidemic measures with the experts. After the action of Bjelovar caterers called "3 to 12", the mayor of Bjelovar took everything in his domain to protect his fellow citizens and entrepreneurs. We expect the same from other departments key to the work of caterers and related activities, which together generate 320 thousand jobs," said Medak.

The caterers point out that all the problems accumulated before the pandemic are now being charged.

The doubling of VAT in the hospitality industry that suddenly followed on January 1, 2017, brought many to the brink of profitability. If the Government does not listen this time, the pandemic will eventually put the key in the lock for many. They say that the inherited problems and new business obstacles have forced them to act together and increasingly warn the Government of the shortcomings on the ground.

"Measures to preserve CES jobs will help caterers who saw a drop of 60% or more in turnover than the same period last year. However, what about us who have a drop of 59% or less?" emphasizes Damir Jurkovic, vice president of the Independent Association of Caterers.

"That is why we are looking for clearer and more efficient models for allocating funds for maintaining liquidity. We are not asking for free money, but access to credit lines for our employees' salaries and lower taxes to repay loans. With the highest tax rate on the preparation and serving of beverages in Europe, it is not possible to plan business in the future," says Jurkovic.

A sample survey of almost 500 caterers from all over Croatia found that almost 60% of them recorded a decline in business by more than 50%, and almost 40% face the fact that, in these conditions, they will not survive until next season. As many as 80% of employers will be forced to resort to terminating contracts with employees.

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ZAGREB, Oct 6, 2020 - A total of 287 new coronavirus cases have been registered in Croatia in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of active cases to 1,588, the national coronavirus response team said on Tuesday.

Among the active cases are 334 people who are receiving hospital treatment for COVID-19, of whom 24 are on ventilators.

Four infected people have died in the last 24 hours.

Since February 25, when the first case was confirmed in Croatia, 18,084 people have been infected with the novel virus, of whom 304 have died and 16,192 have recovered, including 161 in the last 24 hours. A total of 9,610 people are currently self-isolating.

To date, 333,241 people have been tested, including 4,849 in the last 24 hours.

October 6, 2020 - The latest news for flights to Croatia as easyJet stops Dubrovnik and reduces Split, and Austrian Airlines cancels Zagreb. 

Croatian Aviation reports that easyJet completed most of its lines to Dubrovnik on the first weekend of October. Until the end of October, this well-known low-cost carrier will operate only to Split Airport.

Although easyJet flew to Pula, Zadar, Split, and Dubrovnik until the end of the season (end of October) in last year's summer flight schedule, this will not happen this year. Lines to Zadar and Pula stopped operating at the end of September, and the company planned to operate on 4 lines to Dubrovnik and eight to Split by the end of October.

easyJet further reduced traffic to Dubrovnik. In the first five days of October, it operated the last flights of this year from Bristol, Edinburgh, and London to Dubrovnik Airport. Although tickets were on sale until the very end of October, this airline decided to stop traffic much earlier than planned.

easyJet previously announced traffic on 8 international routes to Split by the end of October, but two lines, from Bristol and Glasgow to Split, were canceled.

The company now offers 6 lines to Split Airport:

Basel - Split, twice a week, until October 24,

Berlin - Split, twice a week, until October 24,

Gatwick - Split, twice a week, until October 24,

Geneva - Split, once a week, until October 24,

Luton - Split, once a week, until October 24,

Manchester - Split, once a week, until October 17.

With the end of the summer flight schedule (October 24), easyJet will suspend operations to Split Airport and end this year's summer season to Croatian airports. easyJet plans to operate to Croatian destinations in 2021 on all lines.

Croatian Aviation also reports that as confirmed to them by Austrian Airlines spokesperson, the airline will temporarily cancel the Vienna - Zagreb route in mid-October.

Austria Airlines will operate its last flight to Zagreb on Monday, October 16, while all other flights after that date have been canceled.

Exceptionally, the company plans to operate on this line during the Christmas and New Year holidays (only 10 flights), but it will depend on passenger demand. From January to the beginning of the summer flight schedule (end of March next year), Austrian will not operate on this route.

After the departure of Emirates and FlyDubai, this is another blow for Zagreb Airport. Austrian has been a long-term user of Zagreb Airport and has normally operated on this route several times a day, both in summer and winter.

After many years, this winter, Zagreb will be without a direct connection with Vienna.

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