May 14, 2020 - There is a LONG way to go until Summer 2021, but at least the American Airlines Dubrovnik to Philadelphia service is in the planning for resumption, according to aviation data experts, ch-aviation. 

There are so many variables for tourism in Croatia going forward, and planning anything for next year seems ambitious, but I report this little piece of news not because I can guarantee that it will happen, but more because it shows that this very important flight connection is in the plans. 

The American Airlines Dubrovnik to Philadelphia flight was the first direct connection for 28 years between Croatia and the United States, a psychological as well as physical connection between the two countries. 

Along with many of the other inter-continental flights to Croatia, the 2020 Dubrovnik service was cancelled by the American carrier. And with so much upheaval and the inevitable downsizing of airlines and inter-continental flights, it was questionable whether or not the flight would return at all. 

It still might not, but the thing that is worth reporting is that the intention is certainly there. Am very grateful to those very efficient Swiss chaps at ch-aviation who keep track of all things related to the airline industry, for alerting me to this interesting 2021 flight, which was loaded onto the system yesterday. 

All being well, the American Airlines Dubrovnik service will be back from June 4, 2021. You can see the details above in the info I was sent. 

You can follow the latest from the aviation industry via ch-aviation, and we will update you on any developments regarding this flight. 

Interestingly, ch-aviation has its largest subsidiary office in Zagreb. You can learn more about them in this TCN feature story a few months ago. 

And for a very interesting overview of how the flight scene might look in Croatia going forward, COO Max Oldorf gave us a very insightful interview a few days ago. 

ZAGREB, May 14, 2020 - The coronavirus-related epidemiological situation in Slovenia is improving, so it was announced on Thursday that nearly all shops would reopen as part of the increasingly greater relaxation of restrictive measures, and preparations are underway to restart tourism.

Nearly two months since the introduction of lockdown, all shops should reopen as of Monday.

"True, we haven't completely stopped the epidemic, but we're on the right track. After nearly two months, a significant number of restrictions on shops and tourism are being lifted," State Secretary at the Economy Ministry, Simon Zajc, told a press conference in Ljubljana.

He underscored that all shops, including big shopping malls, were free to reopen as of Monday. In addition, pubs and restaurants, including those providing indoor service, as well as kitchens, may reopen, and preparations are underway to reopen tourism facilities.

In the last 24 hours, with 984 tests carried out, only one new case of the coronavirus infection was conformed in Slovenia, and there were no new deaths, while the number of hospitalised patients continues to drop, the government said on Thursday.

Currently, there are only 32 COVID-19 patients being treated in hospitals, including seven in intensive care units. The number of deaths is still 103.

With more than 66,000 tests carried out since the start of the epidemic, a total of 1,465 cases of the coronavirus infection have been confirmed to date.

ZAGREB, May 14, 2020 - Croatian Interior Minister Davor Bozinovic said on Thursday, talking about crossing borders and entering Croatia, that Croatia was following a recommendation by the European Commission to extend the ban on third-country nationals entering the European Union by 15 May, with some exceptions.

"Since the moment the relaxation of measures started, we have been speaking of recommendations because we think that citizens received enough information on the infection and how to protect themselves in the first stage. It is a fact that this helped us leave the first stage in a way that we minimised risks and damage, which allowed us to relax measures," Bozinovic told a press conference.

Markotic: No employees of Zagreb's Infectious Diseases Hospital had coronavirus infection

The head of Zagreb's Fran Mihaljevic Infectious Diseases Hospital, Alemka Markotic, said that serological tests carried out to date among the hospital's employees had shown that none of them had been infected with the novel coronavirus.

"We will do two tests, but the results to date have shown that none of the employees have antibodies, meaning they haven't been infected with the virus," she said.

She added that this spoke of exceptional professionalism in the work and behaviour of the hospital's employees as they had carried out all protection measures while working with patients, and they had acted professionally in their private lives too.

Asked about the infection rate in the population, she said that there had not been many such studies yet, but that the rate in Germany and some countries that were very exposed was a maximum 15%.

"All those who tried to curb the infection with that model have a large number of infected persons and deaths, but the infection rate is not high. We don't know if antibodies will protect against future infections. The real protection will be a vaccine," Markotic underscored.

ZAGREB, May 14, 2020 - About 60 bar and restaurant owners and hoteliers in Opatija started a campaign called "19 Days of Defiance," and until June 1 they will offer their guests discounts and in a symbolic way show defiance against the situation caused by the coronavirus pandemic and hope that a better period would come.

"Most bar and restaurant owners in Opatija, all hotels open in May and the Thalasso Wellness Centre will have special offers and discounts for their guests until June 1, and through the symbolism of number 19 they will express their defiance against the situation caused by the pandemic, as well as hope that a better period will come," the Opatija Tourist Board said in a press release.

As they said, bar and restaurant owners and hoteliers in Opatija had decided to mark the end of a two-month period of closed facilities and distance from guests with the "19 Days of Defiance" campaign.

"For the next 19 days, by June 1, most bars and restaurants in Opatija will have special offers for their guests, adjusted to the establishment's offer and type - ranging from discounts on some services to a general discount of a symbolic 'COVID' 19 percent."

The Opatija Tourist Board underscored that Opatija's bar and restaurant owners had been proactive and creative and that they had, in cooperation with the tourist Board, encouraged other tourist facilities to join the action.

They also underscore that other hoteliers, which have not reopened in May or taken part in the programme, will open for business at the beginning of June.

ZAGREB, May 14, 2020 - The anti-epidemic activities continue to be performed, and we can be satisfied with them, Interior Minister Davor Bozinovic, who heads the COVID-19 crisis management team, said at a government session on Thursday.

Bozinovic said that in the period from 6 to 13 May, 58,000 businesses and open public spaces in Croatia were monitored, and 14,000 irregularities were registered. He said that in most cases they were a matter of non-compliance with epidemiological measures related to gathering restrictions and not using protective equipment, because of which verbal warnings were issued.

Referring to passengers in cross-border traffic, Bozinovic said that from 10 to 14 May, 68,688 passengers entered Croatia, while 67,272 passengers left the territory of Croatia. He added that of the 55 previously mobilised quarantine facilities, only nine remained active, currently accommodating 44 people, of whom 35 are Croatian citizens.

In the past week, 209 Croatian citizens were repatriated, and since the beginning of the pandemic a total of 2,285 have been repatriated, Bozinovic added. 

ZAGREB, May 14, 2020 - Croatia's results in fighting the pandemic speak best of the citizens' trust in this crisis management team, the head of the national civil protection authority and Interior Minister Davor Bozinovic said on Thursday.

Asked if the authority had considered reducing the number of their regular press conferences, Bozinovic said that they would consider the proposal. He added that under the law on public assembly and epidemiological measures there was no ban on public assembly "nor a ban on protests in that context."

Talking about crossing borders and entering Croatia, Bozinovic said that Croatia was following a recommendation by the European Commission to extend the ban on third-country nationals entering the European Union by 15 May, with some exceptions.

"Since the moment the relaxation of measures started, we have been speaking of recommendations because we think that citizens received enough information on the infection and how to protect themselves in the first stage. It is a fact that this helped us leave the first stage in a way that we minimised risks and damage, which allowed us to relax measures," Bozinovic said when asked if the safety measures were merely recommendations.

May 14, 2020 - Some useful information about tourist fee payment relief in English for the first time, with thanks to Vivian Grisogono from Eco Hvar for the initiative and the translation.

Due to the effects of the Covid-19 virus, the Ministry of Tourism has announced relief measures for those engaged in the tourist industry.

Private renters will not have to pay the tourist fee lump sum (paušal); payment of any outstanding flexible part of the 2019 concession fee is cancelled, and payment for 2020 deferred; the relevant changes in the laws (NN 36/2020) can be seen on the following link (in Croatian): https://narodne-novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/full/2020_03_36_764.html

People offering tourist rentals in private accommodation and on family farms are excused half of the annual tourist fee for 2020 which would normally be due for the main bed and parking spot in a camp and holiday camp, or according to the capacity of 'Robinson' accommodation run in accordance with the special regulations governing tourist rental activities. Furthermore, tourist fee in 2020 for camp beds ('pomoćni kreveti') will not be charged.

These measures only apply to people offering accommodation in private properties and on privately owned farmland.

The aim is to soften the financial impact of the economic burden created by the Coronavirus epidemic. Because the tourist fee is administered per bed, rather than per night's stay, it is clearly unfair and untenable in the current situation.

The responsible authorities for these measures are the Ministry of Tourism and the Croatian Tourist Board. Information about the measures will be available through the eVisitor internet system. Further information can be obtained if needed from the Ministry of Tourism by email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Payment of any outstanding amount due for the 2019 concession fee in respect of the use of tourist land in camps is waived, and the payment due for 2020 is deferred. The applicable law (NN 31/2020) can be seen (in Croatian) on the link: https://narodne-novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/full/2020_03_31_674.html

In view of the exceptional situation caused by the Coronavirus, outstanding payments due for the 2019 concession fees for camps will be charged at 1 kn, and not at the standard rate, and payments due for the fixed concession fee for 2020 will be delayed from August 31st to November 30th 2020. The measure applies to commercial agencies offering tourist services on the basis of seeking concessions for camps on communal land in the Republic of Croatia according to the law (NN 92/10). Details of the charges will be made available by the Ministry of Tourism, and further information, if needed, can be obtained by email from the Ministry: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The same measures apply to those holding concessions on land owned by local authorities, and the applicable law (NN 41/2020) can be read (in Croatian) on the following link: https://narodne-novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/2020_04_41_853.html.

The Croatian Law on Providing Tourist Services (NN 42/2020 -887) has been amended and can be read (in Croatian) on the following link: https://narodne-novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/2020_04_42_887.html. The changes include the following:

- in order to prevent the operation of unregistered rental accommodation, internet sites must quote the tax identity number (OIB) of any advertiser offering tourist services in the Republic of Croatia;

- during this exceptional situation, tourist agencies will be allowed to employ people without the normal required certificates in order to keep operating, so that knowledge of foreign languages or Croatian do not have to be demonstrated, nor is it necessary for such employees to have a minimum of one year's experience in the tourist industry. These employees can remain in employment for a maximum of six months after the end of the special measures.

- contracts for package tours which were booked to take place after March 1st but cancelled are to be varied as following: the traveller has the right to cancel the package tour 180 days after the end of the exceptional situation caused by Coronavirus, and the tour operator must issue a voucher or moratorium on the cancellation of the contract for the same period; if the client decides on a refund, the tour operator must return the amount paid within 14 days after the period of 180 days following the end of the exceptional situation has elapsed.

- people providing tour guide services will no longer be entered into the Central register. This aims to allow more people to earn money from tourist services, such as students, pensioners or the unemployed.

The Law on Providing Accommodation Services has also been amended (NN 42/2020-888), and can be found (in Croatian) on the following link: https://narodne-novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/2020_04_42_888.html
The changes are as follows:

- temporary permits for rental premises will be extended to the end of 2021. This applies to properties which have not yet been legalized although the application for legalization was submitted at the right time.

- the Minister is empowered to vary the conditions regarding the requirements for people in the hospitality and rental businesses.

- the deadline for re-categorizing hotels and camps is extended. Applications will start from 1 year after the end of the Covid-19 special measures situation, instead of after 4 years from the original permit.

- hotel and camp operators who have been granted a temporary operations permit for the type of operation, but not yet for the category of the premises, are granted an extension of one year following the end of the Covid-19 special measures in the Republic of Croatia.

- for renters whose categorization permits were issued before September 1st 2007, and for those who wish to retain their existing level of category (star rating), applications for new documents must be made before the following deadlines:
8.4.2022 – for permits issued before 31.12.2000.
8.4.2023 – for permits issued between 1.1.2001 and 31.12.2004.
8.4.2024 – for permits issued after 31.12.2004.

The Law Governing Tourist Boards and the Promotion of Croatian Tourism has been amended to alleviate financial constraints caused by the Covid-19 epidemic. You can read the amendments (NN 42/2020-885) on the following link (in Croatian): https://narodne-novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/2020_04_42_885.html

The Law on the Tourist Fee has been amended, (NN 42/2020-886) and can be read (in Croatian) on the following link: https://narodne-novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/2020_04_42_886. The amendments are as follows:

- during the Covid-19 special situation, the Croatian Government is empowered to vary the system for determining the level of the tourist fee and the deadlines for its payment.

- the Croatian Government is also empowered to repurpose resources from the Fund for Insufficiently Developed Inland Areas and the Fund for Associated Tourist Boards.

- while the special conditions caused by the Covid-19 epidemic last, inspectors will not issue fines or penalty notices, or institute legal action in the case of contraventions.

If you need further information, contact the Ministry of Tourism by email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

For the latest on the coronavirus in Croatia, follow the dedicated TCN section. 

If you need further information, contact the Ministry of Tourism by email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

May 14, 2020 - Croatian Tourism Minister Gari Cappelli has revealed a new slogan about where tourists can stop to refuel or buy food on the way to their Croatian destination.

Index.hr reported that the European Commission has recommended the gradual and coordinated lifting of travel restrictions between the Member States or regions within them that have a similar epidemiological situation to save what can be saved from this year's tourist season.

Minister of Tourism Gari Cappelli said in the show U Mreži Prvi on HRT that Croatia has very well and precisely prepared measures, in agreement with epidemiologists and associations of tourism workers, and that they have been incorporated into the guidelines of the European Commission.

"We were the first to mention bilateral. Opening borders depends on each individual member state, which will primarily negotiate with its neighbors, so we are talking to several countries, primarily Slovenia," Cappelli said and added that corridors have already been created that are recommended to tourists who come to Croatia, and these recommendations relate to where they can stop, refuel or buy food on the way to their destination.

"We have called this slogan 'From home to the destination'. From the moment they book a stay, they will receive this information," the minister said.

The Head of the Border Administration, Zoran Ničeno, emphasized that a difficult period is behind us in which, according to EU recommendations, we blocked traffic across the state border, which was great for a tourist country like Croatia.

"We have established coordination of police directors of countries in the wider region, namely Croatia, Italy, Austria, Slovenia, BiH and Serbia. We have video conferences every week in which we agree on exactly how the police will react in the new measures, and that refers to border crossings and returns back to the country," Ničeno said, adding that this is very important because each country has its own specifics.

He pointed out that not all measures had been lifted. Every person who enters the country is recorded and their personal data is taken, and they are acquainted with all the epidemiological instructions they receive at the border crossing.

"The borders are not open as before, but entering the country is under great epidemiological control," he stressed, adding that these measures will lead to significant congestion at the borders.

Cappelli also spoke for N1.

"Given the conditions, Croatia could have allowed flows at the border. With some limits. They can enter for a reason, provided we know where they are, what their address is. We have been waiting for EU instructions; our proposals have been implemented. We have hundreds a day, thousands of inquiries to enter Croatia," Cappelli told N1.

Upon returning to the country, Slovenes have to isolate themselves for seven days. The minister says negotiations are underway with Slovenia.

"I think that this will be resolved in the coming days by ministerial meetings, so that we will have a clear situation next week. Our epidemiologists have found each other, both have proposals. It will take 15-20 days to go through all this. It is realistic to expect that at the end of the month, we will have the right tourist flow, and without delay," said Cappelli, who spoke about this with the Slovenian minister.

"He begged me to find solutions. They have 110,000 homeowners and boats in Croatia. I don't see the difference when someone leaves Pozega and Zagreb or Novo mesto in Slovenia; the situation is unique," Cappelli said.

"We started because we have had very precise recommendations for all types of tourism for a month now. I warned that we would have quality, but not rigid measures. We made it known. We proved that we are very ready, maybe more than a lot of countries in the EU," Cappelli said.

He said we could generate up to 30 percent of last year’s revenue this year. Next year, he says, they could be at the level of 2018, and in 2022 the same tourist success could be achieved as in 2019.

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

May 14, 2020 - The third session of the Istria County Tourism Committee was held through a conference call on Tuesday. In addition to the permanent members, it was attended by the Chief of the Istria County Civil Protection Headquarters Dino Kozlevac and the Director of the Istria Institute of Public Health Dr. Aleksandar Stojanovic.

HRTurizam reports that the director of the Istrian Institute of Public Health, Dr. Stojanović, provided information on the epidemiological situation in Istria County, stating that there is no circulation of the virus, and that there had been no positive findings of COVID-19 in Istria for 23 days. However, according to new information over the last two days, two cases of coronavirus infection appeared in Istria. Both cases are related to the flight from Frankfurt to Zagreb, and 19 samples of swabs are currently being examined in the County because of the suspicion of the coronavirus.

Stojanović also referred to two documents that arrived at the Institute for review last week, and these are proposals for epidemiological actions in the ports of nautical tourism - marinas, or travel agencies. Both documents have been agreed with epidemiologists and are ready for submission to the competent ministries and the Central Committee of the Republic of Croatia. During this week, a leaflet will be reviewed, adapting tourist animation to the rules of the Headquarters, as well as a proposal for a protocol of opening water parks.

The issue of readiness of hospital facilities in case of possible infection in guests was also raised, to which Dr. Stojanović said that OB Pula is ready, and currently, there is not a single patient with the coronavirus at the Department of Infectious Diseases. Chief of the Headquarters Kozlevac, on the other hand, commented on the entry of foreign citizens into the Republic of Croatia. According to him, citizens from the EU and third countries such as BiH and Serbia are currently allowed to enter, on 5 grounds:

1.) if you own real estate in Croatia, 2.) if you have a registered company or economic activity whose foreign citizen is the owner or member of the management, 3.) at the invitation of a business entity from the Republic of Croatia for a business interview, 4.) if you are attending a funeral or 5). if you are visiting a sick person.

Also, Kozlevac emphasized that when entering the Republic of Croatia, there are no longer any health measures, such as self-isolation, and that tourist arrivals are currently not possible. MEP Valter Flego added that the European Commission would come up with a more concrete proposal to open the borders (which you can find here). Former MEP Ivan Jakovčić commented on a large survey conducted among Germans and Austrians, which showed that 75% of them want to go on holiday, and of which as many as 65% want to come to Croatia.

The session also discussed the possibilities for the arrival of guests by air, especially in the case of flights of low-cost airlines, which the Croatian National Tourist Board deals with, while the Istria County Tourist Board is in charge of communication with easyJet, said Denis Ivosevic. Furthermore, there was talk about measures to act on the beaches, and it was said that controls would be performed primarily by the State Inspectorate, and then the municipal security guards and the beach concessionaires themselves, with patrols by the police and the Civil Protection Headquarters.

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

As Novac/Matea Grbac writes on the 13th of May, 2020, the coronavirus pandemic has dealt a heavy blow to the Croatian craft beer industry, who claim that they cannot survive with so much less traffic and online sales.

''We're doing business, but it isn't enough. It's better than nothing, but it's still far from the real numbers,'' Davor Simisis, the owner of the the Varionica pivovara (brewery), explained the current state of the Croatian craft beer industry in a brief statement, which, like most other industries, has been hit by the crisis.

According to estimates, the Croatian craft beer industry, more specifically their breweries, make up just over two percent of the beer industry in Croatia. Despite that, this industry annually pumps just over 4.2 billion kuna in gross added value directly and indirectly into the state treasury. Due to their narrow niche, smaller facilities and strong connection to the HoReCa system, Croatian craft breweries have run into major problems due to the closure of hotels and restaurants. As Miroslav Suvak from Nova Runda points out, catering/hospitality facilities and hotels accounted for about 90 percent of their business.

A moratorium on credit

''We may be in a slightly different position from other craft breweries because draught beer is our main source of income. Of course, the cans we launched last year have improved the company's financial stability, so they are now giving us a 'cold drive'. If we look at the numbers, we recorded a 30 percent drop in March given that the bars were still open for part the month. April, on the other hand, shows a completely different picture and a drop of 80 percent is visible. In addition, we recently had an investment of approximately 5.4 million kuna, for which we have so far received a moratorium on credit, but the question is what will happen when the measure ends,'' he said.

Other brewers have faced similar problems. So that they wouldn't have to put their keys in their respective locks because of the pandemic that affected the whole world, they decided to turn to the internet instead of the previous way of making sales in bars.

''After the closure of cafes and restaurants, we introduced online sales through our distributors and partners. That channel partially compensated us for what we lost, so we're currently at 50 percent of traffic when compared to before all this,'' added Bruno Blazicko, co-owner of the PriMarius brewery.

Suvak also found one positive side to this bizarre situation, and that is turning consumers towards online shopping.

''Like other colleagues, we launched online sales through our partners, which is why the sale of our cans jumped more than expected. The great thing is that people are now aware of the fact that buying online doesn’t necessarily have to be bad. I can order anything without any problems from the comfort of my home, and without having to stand around waiting in lines. But despite the positive results, this type of sale cannot replace cafes,'' he explained.

Despite all, the entrepreneurs working in the Croatian craft beer industry decided to keep hold of all of their employees despite the abrupt closing of one entire sales channel.

Webshops provided some form of security, albeit it much less than cafes could...

''We've withdrawn the support measures adopted by the government and they've greatly eased this situation for us. In addition to measures to preserve jobs, we requested a moratorium on the main loan by which we launched a new plant. Apart from that, we had other investments, such as leasing for our own vehicles, which we're still paying for. How long we can cover this and what kind of future awaits us, we cannot know at the moment because in a situation like this, it's impossible to create a plan. Still, we're not living from today to tomorrow and we always have financial reserves, but we can’t live off a mere 30 percent of the business. This is how we're working and it's good that we are still working, but that's not the point of doing this sort of business,'' explained Andrej Capka, the owner of Zmajska pivovara.

''Unlike our colleagues, one of the largest and first craft breweries in Croatia, the Zagreb brewery Medvedgrad, found itself in a slightly different position, Igor Mijic explained. Namely, this brewery, in addition to the plant, owns restaurants where it sells more than a thousand litres of its draught beer per day. Since March the 19th, 2020, when the decision to close down such facilities came into force, the revenues of that brewery have fallen by 50 percent, and the reason for a slightly smaller decline than that experienced by others lies in online sales, the brewery pointed out.

''In just seven days, we managed to enable our webshop and turn to online sales, which now make up 80 percent of our business, and we deliver throughout Croatia. In addition, we've established cooperation with Wolt and Glovo, who deliver the beer with our food,'' said Mijic, adding that they hope for some kind of recovery after the re-opening of cafes, bars and restaurants.

''We will definitely open our restaurants. Luckily, we have large terraces so we can adapt to the new situation, but we cannot know for sure what awaits us. Currently, it's difficult for me to predict anything,'' he pointed out.

Other breweries are also hoping for a recovery in the form of the re-opening of restaurants and bars, but with great caution. Capka is optimistic about it all, but he believes that this move also raises the question of how long those in the hospitality and catering business will be able to operate properly with such rigorous measures still in place.

New channels

''The situation will certainly be better than it is now, but the Croatian craft beer industry and their breweries depend on the hospitality and catering industry. Neither we nor they can know how long doing business in such a way will be sustainable, ie, whether cafes and restaurants will work for only a few weeks in this way or will continue to work normally over time,'' he said, adding that this situation also causes consumption problems.

''Craft beer belongs to the segment of premium products. This fact entails two thing. One is that buyers of such products have the opportunity to continue to purchase premium products, and the other is that they can cut them out if they need to first,'' he explained.

Although he supports the opening of cafes, bars and other facilities, the owner of Nova Runda sees another problem in the new situation.

''Due to the strict measures, the question of the survival of people in the catering and hospitality sector is being raised. Many of them only have small terraces, what will happen to them? Will they open their facilities or will they simply close their doors forever?'' he asked.

Due to the still undefined rules and a very uncertain future, those in the Croatian craft beer industry and other brewers believe that they will have to start looking for new business channels. One of them, as Blazicko explained, is entering into negotiations with retail chains and exporting beer to foreign markets.

''We have started intense negotiations with retail chains and we're planning to go even deeper into that network, we have to compensate for our losses in some sense,'' said Blazicko.

And while a large number of them are not hoping for such a quick return to the old way of doing business, they pointed out that they hope the picture will be a bit better next year.

''Yes, we can practically write off this year because everything is shrouded in secrecy. We can't develop concrete plans because we still have only questions, questions and more questions,'' concluded Capka.

For more on Croatian craft beer and much more, follow Made in Croatia.