June 14, 2020 - European cultural TV channel Arte TV, in its 'Invitation to Travel' show, broadcast a series of reports on the rich cultural heritage of Istria and Southern Dalmatia.

HRTurizam writes that these reports were created as a result of the cooperation and engagement of the Representative Office of the Croatian Tourist Board in France.

"Such shows that reveal lesser-known cultural and historical facts of Croatian tourist destinations are our special challenge and imperative in the tourist promotion of Croatia on the French market, since cultural heritage is the main motive for 60 percent of French people to travel abroad," said Daniela Mihalic. Đurica, director of the CNTB Representative Office in France.

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The Istria portion of the show spoke to the owners of Istrian restaurants, but also winemakers, who testified to the precious eno-gastronomic value of Istria. They presented Rovinj, which they called a mini Venice, Pula, where the gladiator games were evoked, but also the interior of Istria, where the picturesque towns of Buje and Motovun are located. The report also mentions the most common traditional vessel in Rovinj, the batana.

The second report, entitled "French Kisses from Croatia", shows the rich influence of Napoleon in Southern Dalmatia, and through a conversation with historians, the "Adriatic pearls" of Dubrovnik, Split and Trogir were presented, which delighted Napoleon and his marshals, especially Marmont, so much that by their conquest they showed the world their superiority.

"This is another way to maintain a presence and visibility in our important markets and further interest the French, but also the Germans to revisit us as soon as possible," commented CNTB Director Kristjan Stanicic, announcing that the Arte TV team will film four new reports on Croatia in mid-August and early September.

But these are not the only stories about the Croatian coast, which were presented to French viewers. Earlier, a report on the island of Pag was published, in which the specifics of the famous bura wind were mentioned, as well as a report on Pazin with which the famous Jules Verne was enchanted.

Arte TV shows are broadcast six days a week and are watched by over 800,000 viewers a day. The recorded reports are repeated on several occasions and are also available in the Arte TV media library.

Finally, French lifestyle magazine Grazia also published the TOP 9 Croatian destinations that should definitely be visited this summer. On that scale were: Dubrovnik, Rovinj, Split, Zagreb, Plitvice National Park, Zadar, Hvar, Korcula and Krka National Park.

June 14, 2020 - Thanks to the extended weekend, tourist traffic has finally begun to pick up on the Croatian Coast. So far, the first part of June is just under 5 percent of last year's results. 

Currently, 111,000 tourists are in Croatia, of which 79,000 are foreign and 32,000 domestic tourists - mostly from Germany, Croatia, Slovenia, Austria and the Czech Republic, reports HRT.

Looking at the destination, most tourists are in Rovinj, Vir, Mali Lošinj, Medulin and Umag. Hotels are opening throughout central Dalmatia, and the first larger groups of guests have been announced.

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Despite the pandemic, Split's Radisson Blu Hotel, however, was anything but idle.

"We have done a lot of new and wonderful things as you can see, we have renovated the whole plateau, we are working on renovating the Spa. I am looking forward to the guests who can come from June 15," says Kristina Rogaljska, the senior hotel manager.

According to the announcements, they will be domestic guests, Germans and Austrians, but no more are expected in June. July and August should and should be significantly better, judging by the reservations received. Safety and responsibility are at the forefront.

"The safety of guests and employees is our number one priority, we have respected epidemiological measures by the Republic of Croatia and the strict measures of our group. We have plexiglass partitions in all possible places, from stickers where guests must stand at the reception and in front of the elevators to all the cleaning measures that we will carry out," adds Rogaljska.

As of Saturday, the Bluesun hotels opened on the Makarska Riviera, in Tučepi and Brela, and in Bol on Brač. Hotels in Supetar also opened their doors.

"In Supetar, both hotel houses have been opened in slightly reduced capacities and according to the announcements, the season will be like that, but we can expect a little more activity at the end of this month, and July has good bookings," says Ivan Cvitanić, director of Supetar Tourist Board.

As of June 20, more specific traffic has been announced at Split Airport, and according to updated data from the entercroatia application, about 230,000 tourists will arrive in Croatia in the next few days. We hope that at least some of them will choose central Dalmatia as their destination.

Some tourists are already vacationing in Istria. The action of the Administrative Department for Tourism of the Istrian County, which offers as many as 50 attractions of cultural and eno-gastronomic content at half price or even free - has finally stimulated the long-awaited tourist momentum. Most are domestic guests.

Baredine Cave is one of the most beautiful speleological objects, of 1500 of them in Istria. The tourist workers of Istria are satisfied with the response of visitors to the reduced price attractions.

"Right now, as I was traveling towards the Baredine cave, I saw a lot of cyclists on the road, I believe that people will slowly decide to come through to relax and appreciate the fact that we are a really safe destination, says Nada Prodan Mraković, head of the Istria County Tourism Department.

Winemakers, olive growers and oil producers also opened their taverns to guests, and are offering free tastings.

"We don't do it only today, we have all been doing it for about 20 years, on average. And every year you want to be better and better because that is the future. If you did something well, why shouldn't I do the same, and that is a healthy competition," points out Andjelo Brcic, Nova Vas.

Natural, top-quality wines, rich taverns, various attractions and beautiful Istrian nature at half price or even free. And all available to you, right now. 

June 14, 2020 - The 13th Split Mediterranean Film Festival will take place from July 2 to 11, 2020, at the Bačvice Open-Air Cinema. Due to COVID-19, this year's edition will be adapted to the recommendations of the Croatian Institute of Public Health.

Namely, the capacity of the Bačvice Open Air Cinema will be limited due to the distance between the seats, and when entering and exiting, visitors are invited to adhere to physical distance and general hygiene measures.

A statement fro the Mediterranean Film Festival:

"In order for all of us to spend our time at FMFS as pleasantly and safely as possible, please carefully read the important notes related to this year's specific edition of the Festival!

- Adhering to the recommendations of the Croatian Institute of Public Health, the capacity of the Bačvice Open Air Cinema is limited due to the distance between the seats.

- Please adhere to physical distance and general hygiene measures when entering and exiting.

- You are allowed to sit in the cinema together with the people you came with. Seats are not numbered.

- The cinema will be open every day for an hour before the screening. Come on time, avoid the crowds and relax before the movie with drinks, popcorn, and pleasant music.

This year, there will be no parties with DJs after the screenings, but socializing with music for "Ćakula posli", which will be prepared by our partners in the music program. Social gatherings are reserved exclusively for spectators with a ticket who were at the film screening at the Bačvice Open-Air Cinema or the Youth Center.

- It will not be possible to enter the cinema after the beginning of the screening, nor after its end

- This year, there are no types of accreditations, invitations, or Festival tickets. We do not have an office or a box office in the Zlatna Vrata Cinematheque. All information about tickets, as well as for instructions on how to secure your place on time, can be found here."

The FMFS program will be announced on June 16.

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

As Frenki Lausic/Novac writes on the 12th of June, 2020, according to an analysis undertaken by the European Systemic Risk Board (ESRB), based on published data on measures taken by national regulators in response to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Croatia exceeds the European average with about 40 measures, meaning it ranks in sixth place out of a total of 30 countries in the European Economic Belt.

This information was published by the Croatian Financial Services Supervisory Agency (HANFA). This week, their council discussed the review of financial stability measures taken across the European Union due to the coronavirus pandemic, as well as Hanfa's measures and recommendations which were issued to Croatian companies.

At the European level, it has been pointed out, most of the measures related to the non-financial sector are aimed mainly at companies, and in the financial sector they're aimed at credit institutions, securities and markets, as well as at the insurance sector.

Croatia is one of the nine European Union member states, as they emphasised from Hanfa, which, among other measures, adopted a measure on the temporary ban on the payment of dividends for insurance companies and is among the countries with the largest number of measures taken out with the insurance sector in mind. It's also worth noting that the Croatian National Bank (CNB/HNB) was the first in the entire EU to make a decision to ban the payment of dividends to banks this year.

The report notes: "after looking at the review of these measures, especially those in the financial sector, it can be concluded that Hanfa's measures and recommendations aimed at the Croatian non-banking financial sector and their users were adequate and timely.

"However, the economic consequences of the coronavirus pandemic on the domestic and international financial markets are still incalculable. However, the current data shows the first signs of recovery - from the return of investors' payments into investment funds to the increase in the assets of mandatory pension funds that returned to the levels before the global coronavirus crisis in Croatia,'' reads a statement from Hanfa.

It has also been added that Hanfa will continue to act in accordance with the guidelines of the European Systemic Risk Board, but also make additional independent recommendations (such as recommendations for a moratorium on leasing companies), depending on the development of the economic situation here in Croatia and the impact on both international and domestic financial services.

For more on coronavirus in Croatia, follow our dedicated section.

As Novac writes on the 11th of June, 2020, the Croatian Chamber of Commerce (HGK) has asked the Ministry of Construction and Physical Planning to send a recommendation to the local self-government unit on lifting the ban on construction works during the summer.

"We sent the request on behalf of construction companies whose working conditions were significantly hampered by the coronavirus crisis. During the pandemic, the Croatian Chamber of Commerce managed to prevent construction sites from closing and to open shops for construction materials and equipment as soon as possible, which preserved activity and jobs in this industry. The complete cessation of all earthworks and construction works would make it difficult to recover and realise the scheduled works, which would cause additional financial damage and consequently lead to the dismissal of a large number of workers,'' said Mirjana Cagalj, vice president of the Croatian Chamber of Commerce for construction, transport and communications.

According to the current Construction Act, cities and municipalities can make decisions on banning works, but the Construction and Utilities Sector of the Croatian Chamber of Commerce says that exceptional conditions have been met due to the coronavirus pandemic and that the necessary approvals and consents of local authorities must allow activities within this sector to continue.

"Lifting the ban would significantly help the construction sector and its related branches, and at the same time, it wouldn't seriously endanger the tourist season, which will be somewhat more modest due to objective reasons," explained Cagalj.

On behalf of the construction companies located in Split-Dalmatia County, the Croatian Chamber of Commerce also sent a letter to the Mayor of Split, Andra Krstulovic Opara, requesting that earthworks and construction works be allowed in the city throughout the summer (from June the 15th to September the 15th).

Opara supported the proposal and invited all interested investors and contractors to send their requests for the continuation of construction work during the summer months so that he could submit them to the City Council for discussion.

"At this moment in time, I consider it extremely important that the investments that can start the economy the most quickly are enabled and encouraged, so, I'm going to recommend a positive solution to all of the received requests to the Council," Opara said.

For more, follow our business segment.

Coronavirus has dealt global travel and tourism a huge blow, and even the City of Dubrovnik, which prides itself on tourism and is known for coming with a hefty price tag for just about everything, is suffering.

Dubrovnik is known for being the first to abolish slavery, its glorious Medieval walls, its UNESCO status, and its often extortionate prices. While it is true that there are many places in Croatia's southernmost city that are inexpensive (or at least there used to be, I live in Zagreb and it's been a while since I lived in the country's tourist Mecca), the most common complaints about Dubrovnik are the traffic and the price of things. Could coronavirus mark the end of that long-lived trend? Maybe...

As Poslovni Dnevnik writes on the 12th of June, 2020, the coronavirus pandemic has dealt a severe blow to tourism, even to Dubrovnik, which is also the primary economic branch from which Dubrovnik exists, and the dire numbers speak for themselves. According to the data of the Tourist Board of the City of Dubrovnik, on June the 1st, 2020, 86 arrivals and 316 overnight stays were recorded in the area of ​​the City of Dubrovnik. For comparison, on the same day last year, there were 6,747 arrivals and 18,481 overnight stays realised, which are incomparably higher numbers.

In the city where almost every street has its own catering and hospitality facility, only about 50 of them are currently open. Currently, only seven of Dubrovnik's hotels have opened their doors to guests. These are the Dubrovnik Palace, Hilton Imperial, Hotel Lero, Hotel Park, Hotel Petka, the Pucic Palace and Royal Blue.

The president of the Dubrovnik County Chamber, Nikolina Trojic, revealed that the value of issued invoices in the tourism sector fell by an enormous 92 percent.

"According to the Tax Administration, from February the 24th to May the 17th, 2020, 78 percent fewer invoices were fiscalised than in the same period back in 2019, and the total amount of these invoices is 63 percent lower in all activities across Dubrovnik-Neretva County. In the tourism sector, which includes accommodation, catering/hospitality and travel agencies, the value of issued invoices fell by 92 percent,'' Trojic told the local Dubrovnik portal, Dubrovacki Dnevnik.

Although a work ban was in place for most industries, trade and traffic were the few that could still work. However, no positive figures were recorded in these sectors either.

"The data shows that the number of invoices issued in the trade sector was 41 percent lower, while the value of those invoices issued in trade was 27 percent lower. Among the most affected activities was the activity of travel agencies, where, during these observed three months of ''lock down'', the value of issued invoices fell by 98 percent compared to the same period back in 2019. Additionally, for the period from May the 11th, when caterers and those in the hospitality industry were allowed to work again, until May the 17th, 2020 (when compared to the same period in 2019) there was a decrease in the number of issued invoices by 71 percent and a decrease in the value of those same invoices by 96 percent in the tourism sector,'' Trojic explained.

Although the problem of labour shortages in tourist-oriented Dubrovnik used to exist because of demographic issues, now the priority has become to keep hold of these people and preserve the ability to pay their salaries.

"The absence of tourist figures from previous years will certainly have consequences for our economy. The reduced levels of demand for accommodation services, catering services, excursions and other tourist facilities will affect the downward price correction, it's an economic fact, the law of supply and demand. The fall in prices will depend on the level of indebtedness of economic entities and the possibility of servicing fixed costs.

Care should be taken to keep the value for money, because in the coming years that will be the biggest engine of recovery of our economy. It's to be expected that at some point, there will be a reduction in salaries, a reduction of the working week and other mechanisms for preserving these jobs,'' concluded Trojic.

For more on the Croatian economy and tourism in the coronavirus era, follow our lifestyle page.

June 13, 2020 — Pag’s tourism apparatus is trying to end its party and go for a hike instead.

The (in)famous island near Zadar is using the coronavirus slowdown and a government push for collaboration among tourist boards to rebrand itself from party central to an active outdoor tourism hub.

All the figureheads in the islands apparatus signed an agreement to switch the island to an outdoor tourism destination, hoping to bring more peaceful, considerate crowds to a place that has become known for clubbing and drunken debauchery.

The President of the Tourist Board of the City of Novalja Ante Dabo, the City of Pag’s Ante Fabijanić, the Municipality of Povljana Ivica Pogorilić and Kolana Marin Pernjak and the town of Stara Novalja’s Ante Peranić signed an Agreement on Association of Local Tourist Boards from the Island of Pag to develop and shape the island into a unique and harmonized destination for outdoor tourism. 

This is a kind of historical moment in which all the island's tourist boards have signed such a multi-year joint project for the first time. The signing of the agreement was approved by Croatia’s Tourism Ministry. The government provided the impetus for this year’s Fund for United Tourist Boards to push for more teamwork across tourism boards. 

The agreement presents in detail the activities that should, with the financial support of the Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Croatia, be implemented by the end of 2023.

“What is important to emphasize are these activities, which are the improvement of existing and development of new trails, organization and establishment of bike-sharing systems, service stations, rest areas, raising the level of accessibility of tourist attractions located next to and near bike trails, development of thematic and educational trails, design of unified bicycle and trail signalization and marking of trails with the same visual standard,” Pag’s Tourist Board director Vesna Karavanić told Zadarski List. “Then, there is the installation of information boards, making quality maps with trails and making a brochure of the outdoor offer of the island of Pag, promotional videos and photo galleries, raising the quality of accommodation and catering facilities for cyclists, joint promotional activities, and events.”

She added that the signing of this agreement is a logical continuation of previous cooperation across the island, since Pag’s tourist boards Pag set out on a joint path of cooperation under the motto “Pag Moon Island - A Common Vision.”

“After a joint appearance at several foreign fairs, we launched joint events such as rowing regatta ‘Osmerci on Pag’ and ‘Pag on the menu’ and started signing a joint agreement of all tourist boards of the island of Pag and branding the destination through outdoor tourism - trails, kayaking, cycling and climbing for a period of three years,” she said.

The Tourism Ministry’s for more coordination allows pushes like Pag’s to overcome administrative barriers and ignores the balkanized map of Croatia’s tourist apparatus. The ministry is co-financing Pag’s initiative.

“We have a long way to go, but we have no doubt that it is the only sustainable option,” said the director of the Tourist Board of the City of Novalja, Marina Šćiran Rizner.

This joint project is intended for the domestic and foreign markets. It aims to show the most attractive and most beautiful that the island of Pag, which is also called the island of the Moon, offers.

“t offers beautiful beaches, fantastic, untouched nature ideal for cycling, running, trail, Nordic walking, walking, rowing, surfing,” Karavanić said. “There is also the award-winning Adriatic camp Šimuni, an extraordinary world-famous gastronomic offer - Pag cheese, lamb, cottage cheese, honey, baškotini, wines, aromatic herbs…. There are also our cultural heritage, ornithological reserves, underwater amphora site near Šimun, the protected area of ​​the Hanzina forest, Lunjski maslinici…”

The list goes on… well past clubs in Novalja.

June 13, 2020 — Croatia has, for now, remained lax about citizens wearing masks. But the policy may change, depending on the coronavirus’s trajectory.

In the event of a second wave of COVID-19 or the appearance of a larger hotspot due to the tourist season in Croatia, masks will be recommended. They may even become mandatory, according to Jutarnji List.

Since the virus appeared, conflicting information has followed as to whether masks are needed or not, or whether they prevent the spread of coronavirus.

A number of studies have emerged that indicate their effectiveness, and the World Health Organization has also expressed a preference for wearing them.

If a second wave occurs, authorities in Croatia have made it clear that there will be no repeat of the restrictive measures used during March and April — the economy couldn’t stand it. Therefore, accountability and adherence to physical distance measures, maintaining hygiene and wearing masks will be key to defense.

Bernard Kaić, head of the Epidemiology Service of the Croatian Institute of Public Health, believes that masks are a good solution.

“It is very likely that we will go with this recommendation because the conclusion is that masks provide protection,” he said. “This applies to both the healthy and the sick and those who suspect they might be sick. Of course, the best surgical masks, but also cloth ones, can offer protection.” He added the recommendation for wearing masks refers primarily to closed spaces, but also to public ones if the physical distance is insufficient.

The Minister of Health, Vili Beroš, also confirmed that masks are being seriously considered, pointing out that the epidemic is not over.

“The disease is new, so it took some time to draw conclusions,” Beroš said. “So it is with protective masks. They were found to offer protection. Of course, we are not talking about 100% protection because it has been proven that the virus can enter the body through the eye that is not covered with a mask.” Nevertheless, he added, this is significant protection that cannot be ignored in any case.

“Therefore, masks should be worn in every closed space, public transport, places where a large number of people gather. This is a global struggle that we must all win together, and this can only be done with discipline and responsible behavior. If that means wearing masks, we'll do it too. It is important that COVID-19 becomes just a bad memory as soon as possible,” Beroš said.

He added there will be enough masks for wider use for all citizens, Croatia has started its own production of protective masks.

“Whether wearing masks will be just a recommendation or an obligation, it is too early to say,” the minister said. “Of course, as from the beginning of the epidemic, everything depends on the epidemiological situation.”

Recent research shows that face masks can prevent the spread of coronavirus by 40 percent, which is by no means a negligible figure. The research was conducted by gradually introducing masks into indoor spaces, such as shops and public transport across Germany, to examine the effectiveness of wearing this type of protection.

Looking at the new cases in the days that followed, the researchers concluded that there was statistical support that the masks had greatly reduced the number of cases.

That there are bases for the positive effects of wearing masks is also shown by the fact that they have been mandatory in public transport in the UK since Monday, and it is being worked on that this rule also applies in stores.

On April 6, the German city of Jena introduced the obligation to wear masks, on April 20 this was done in Saxony. Statistics showed the masks worked and that the number of infected people was decreasing.

In the following days, the rest of the country did the same, allowing scientists to compare culturally similar regions.

The conclusion is that the introduction of face masks in Jena resulted in a reduction of almost 25 percent of the cumulative number of reported cases of COVID-19 after 20 days, and the biggest drop, more than 50 percent, was for the most vulnerable group - those over 60 years old.