May 2, 2020 - How are Croatian hotels preparing for the 'new normal'? A look at what we can expect this year. 

HRTurizamHRTurizam reports that the COVID-19 pandemic has hit the tourism sector hardest. Recovery can only be counted when a vaccine/cure is found, and it will probably take 2-3 years, if not longer, to return to the current global tourism trends. One thing is for sure - tourism will be different and will go through three phases.

The first phase is until a vaccine or cure is found, the second phase will be recovery, and after a couple of years, the stabilization or return of tourism to the 'old ways' will begin. However, we can only hope it'll be tourism with new sustainable and healthy foundations - smarter, more sustainable, healthier and more human.

In the first phase, at least until the vaccine is found, there will be tourism that is contradictory to itself - full of various restrictions, avoiding crowds, and without contact and interaction with the hosts.

The new categorization of hotels, as well as all other standards, follows. While we can make some predictions, at the moment, no one knows for sure exactly how hotels will work in the future.

As we know, the Croatian Government has decided that in the third phase of loosening of measures (May 11), catering facilities in accommodation capacities will be allowed, but only for users of accommodation. Interestingly, hotels do not have a ban on work, but of course, in a situation where tourism has stopped and everyone is in self-isolation, it is logical that hotels are closed because they have no guests.

When it comes to reception, there should be no major changes other than keeping a distance, but the whole process can be digitized through a stand-alone check-in - that the guest does not need to check-in at the reception and can unlock the room themselves with a cell phone or via a hotel application.

Some of the main challenges will certainly be how restaurants function. Buffets are no longer an option, and significant changes are expected in this area. The question arises as to what measures and how the use of hotel pools will work, which is one of the critical places, i.e., where all the guests gather in one place. Deck chairs and beaches will definitely need to be disinfected. Fitness halls, elevators, congress halls, stair handrails are also some of the critical places. But what measures will be taken by epidemiologists is yet to be seen.

Bernard Zenzerović, UPUHH: Everyone in the sector is aware that this season will be marked by a fight for every tourist 

While waiting for the decisions and recommendations of the National Headquarters for the tourism sector, Goran Rihelj of HRTurizam spoke with Bernard Zenzerović of the Croatian Employers' Association (UPUHH) on how hoteliers see functioning in this challenging time and what their suggestions are to the Headquarters.

“Guest access will certainly change this season and adapt to new circumstances. In all business segments, maximum sanitary standards and the necessary social distance will have to be ensured. We, in coordination with our members, other national hotel organizations from Europe and our colleagues from professional associations in Croatia, have developed proposals for adapting operational procedures to the new situation," said Zenzerović.

The Croatian Tourism Association (HUT), which brings together leading hoteliers, including UPUHH, has already submitted its proposals to the Ministry of Tourism, which will be forwarded to the Croatian Health Institute and the National Civil Protection Headquarters for consideration.

"I hope that in this way, we will help the competent Croatian services, which must formally adopt a framework in which hotel operations will be organized, and thus we invite them to do this as soon as possible so that everyone can be together as soon as possible to receive guests."

What is most important at the moment is that the Headquarters make recommendations and measures as soon as possible so that tourist entrepreneurs, both hoteliers and all other accommodation providers and catering establishments, can be better prepared for the coming period.

We are pleased with the positive signals about the possibility of opening the borders of our main markets, as well as the image of Croatia as a "corona-free" destination, recognized by the media and our partners in the EU markets, said Zenzerović, adding that everyone in the sector is aware that they will fight for every tourist, every day.

”Everyone in the sector is aware that this season will be marked by a fight for every tourist, every day. Our common goal should be to ensure maximum security for guests and employees in these specific conditions, but at the same time to provide guests with a positive experience and a comfortable vacation, since this is the basis of tourism. ”

On the other hand, we can look at what measures the world players have introduced - Marriott and Hilton.

Marriott has established a global cleanliness council to combat the. COVID-19 pandemic at the hotel-level and further enhance the company's efforts in the area.

Marriott's Global Cleanliness Council is focused on developing the next level of global hospitality standards for cleanliness, standards and behavior that are designed to minimize risk and increase safety for both consumers and Marriott associates, points out Arne Sorenson, President and CEO of Marriott International, and adds:

"We are grateful for the confidence our guests have shown us over the years. We want our guests to understand what we are doing today and plan for the near future in the areas of cleanliness, hygiene and social distance, so that when they walk through the door of one of our hotels, they know our commitment because health and safety is our priority. It is equally important to us that our associates know the changes we are making to maintain their health while serving our guests."

Marriott is introducing electrostatic spray disinfectants throughout the hotel. Otherwise, electrostatic spray technology uses the highest classification of disinfectants recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) for the treatment of known pathogens. In addition, the company is testing ultraviolet light technology to disinfect guest keys and devices shared by associates.

Marriott's food safety program includes enhanced sanitation guidelines and training videos for all operating associates that include hygiene and disinfection procedures. In addition, the company is changing its operating practices for dining in rooms and devising new approaches to buffets.

Hilton, on the other hand, will remove pen and paper from the rooms, and supplement it with digital devices that will be available on request, will place wipes at the elevators so that guests can clean the call button each time, as well as unlocking the rooms via mobile smart locks.

Also, Marriott and Hilton have agreed to cooperate with the Mayo Clinic on all hotel facilities in America. 

Singapore was the first to introduce concrete measures for hotels, using the SG Clean certification

Thus, the hotel must implement the "SG clean" program, which states, among other things, that the process of measuring body temperature and monitoring COVID-19 symptoms in an employee must be provided, have a procedure ready for resolving COVID-19 cases should an infection occur, and managing seating arrangements to ensure a safe distance between at least one meter of tables and between the seats.

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

As Poslovni Dnevnik writes on the 1st of May, 2020, the worldwide search for a vaccine against the new coronavirus has paralysed public health and the global economy and completely changed the way in which we live our lives, even down to the way we conduct our social relations.

Of the nearly 400 medicines and vaccines currently being tested, 5 or 6 have shown good results and have entered the clinical trials phase in humans. One, perhaps the most promising research, comes from England's prestigious Oxford University. That's where Croatian molecular biologist Kristijan Ramadan works.

The whole world is wondering if this is finally going to be a coronavirus vaccine that will be both reliable and safe.

''Nobody can answer that, the vaccines are stil being developed,'' Ramadan told Zajedno za zdravlje/Together for health (on HRT4).

''We have about 70 different groups and vaccines that are close to reaching clinical research worldwide. We're proud of our university for coming to the conclusion that our vaccine has shown excellent results in testing on monkeys. Six monkeys were infected with a large amount of human coronavirus and after receiving the vaccine ,they were completely healthy within 2 or 3 weeks, ie, they didn't show any symptoms of disease development and the new coronavirus couldn't reproduce in them. And in the control group, symptoms of coronavirus developed. This shows that a vaccine intended for human use also works in monkeys,'' Ramadan explained.

The sequence between the monkey and human genome is strikingly similar.

''This should mean that this vaccine will have an even better effect in humans. The question now is how harmful the vaccine will be or how much of a benefit it will be. With each vaccine, the postulate is to do less damage and provide more benefit. This vaccine is significant because the group that developed it has already had success with the previous development of the MERS vaccine,'' he said.

The development of technology has contributed to all of this.

''Until about ten years ago, and until molecular biology evolved with the help of technology, most vaccines were made by using a virus, a living virus that would have its pathogenicity reduced. Today, with new technologies, we no longer have to use the virus itself, we just use one piece of genetic material from it and insert it into another virus or another vector, the carrier of that virus,'' he explained.

''This vaccine was patented at Oxford by director Adrian Hill, who has worked on it for twenty years. His idea was to develop a good malaria vaccine. He never succeeded in that, but success came from that failure when he developed a specific technology used today to develop this coronavirus vaccine,'' he said.

"The knowledge that he has been accumulating over the course of 20-30 years has proven to be essential for the development of this vaccine at this time," he concluded.

The human testing phase has begun, and every vaccine must undergo extremely stringent rigorous testing. We'll just need to wait with our fingers crossed to find out if and when it will be ready for mass use.

Make sure to follow our dedicated coronavirus section for more.

Croatia's first virtual tourism conference, SMART TOURISM, will discuss ideas for Croatian tourism's future.

Coronavirus has seen almost everything grind to a halt, and for Croatia, with tourism making up around 20 percent of GDP and being by far the most important economic branch, the pandemic could have potentially devastating effects. Thankfully, the country has handled it remarkably well, and now it's time to look at what the future holds for the country's hugely interrupted tourism sector in the post-pandemic world.

As Poslovni Dnevnik/Marija Crnjak writes on the 30th of April, 2020, participation in Croatia's very first virtual tourism conference was confirmed by experts from Croatia and from Croatia's important broadcasting markets.

The first professional virtual conference on tourism in Croatia, called Meet up: SMART TOURISM 5.0, will be held on Tuesday, May the 5th, 2020 and will bring together experts from here in Croatia and from abroad to share information and experiences about doing business during and after the coronavirus pandemic. They will also look at new market opportunities for the Republic of Croatia and its tourism in a future smart society.

Conference organiser Can Croatian Tourism 365? in cooperation with the organisers of tourism events - HTI Health Tourism Conference, International Tourism Fair PLACE2GO and Taste the Mediterranean festival, will talk with experts in the tourism and hospitality sector, as well as travel writers and influencers, who will convey the current trends and combine local and international experiences, give ideas and projections for the future way of doing business, and discuss how to prepare for tomorrow's tourism, following the coronavirus crisis caused by months of isolation and the interruption of all international and indeed domestic travel.

Participation in the SMART TOURISM conference was confirmed by experts from here in Croatia and its important broadcasting markets, and it will be interesting to see the coming together of ideas and plans for what awaits Croatian tourism in the post-coronavirus age, as the world becomes more digital, more distanced, and more cautious.

For more, follow our travel page.

As Poslovni Dnevnik writes on the 30th of April, 2020, the Croatian Institute of Public Health has prepared ten pages of draft guidelines on its official website for the prevention and suppression of the coronavirus epidemic for early years education and pre-school institutions, as well as primary schools providing care for the children in attendance.

Children with chronic diseases or those who are in contact with chronic patients:

The Croatian Institute of Public Health recommends that children and staff with chronic illnesses (respiratory, cardiovascular, diabetes, malignancies, immunodeficiency, children with major physical/motor impairments) remain at home, as well as children whose parents/guardians or household members have one of the aforementioned issues.

If a staff member has one of the aforementioned illnesses or are over 65 years of age, they shall, during their stay at home, observe the measures of physical distance in their households.

Stay home when possible:

It has been stated that the Croatian Institute of Public Health recommends children who can be cared for at home remain at home, since the number of children in kindergartens and schools may be such that the physical distance measures required fail to be properly adhered to and respected. As distance learning will continue to be maintained, the Croatian Institue of Public Health has stated that it encourages the continued education of children from home in all situations where it remains possible.

Physical distance of two metres:

It is necessary to organise the work of the institutions at hand in such a way that social distancing measures continue to be respected (physical distance) as well as the measures regarding enhanced personal hygiene. The physical distance of at least two metres indoors needs to be maintained by employees, and it is recommended that physical distance be maintained whenever possible between employees and children unless a child requires special care.

When using a common area, staff need to maintain a physical distance of two metres between each other, and staff meetings and the like should take place via e-communication or by telephone, and the entry of parents should be avoided whenever possible.

Only children and a teacher from the same educational group may stay in the same room together at the same time. Physical distance as well as the enhanced personal hygiene of children should be encouraged, but it should be expected that during the implementation, certain deviations will inevitably occur due to the developmental characteristics of certain age groups, characterised by:

- The exploration of spaces and objects that surround the child (at certain ages, kids will continually put their hands and foreign objects inside their mouths),

- Curiosity towards other persons / other children,

- The misunderstanding of instructions,

- The disregard for the instructions,

- Restlessness and the need to move around freely,

The organisation of work with children:

It is necessary to organise the stay of children in Croatian kindergartens and schools as follows:

- Groups of children in fewer numbers, the same children (preferably up to 9 children in a group and one teacher / teacher giving a total of 10 people as a total) - after forming a group of children, 14 days from the beginning of application of these instructions including non-working days, no new children are admitted to the group),

- One group of children should be taken care of by one teacher, or two in the case of an extended stay at school or during the afternoon shift in kindergarten, without any "overlap",

- Physical contact (close contact) between children from one educational group with other children, parents/guardians of other children and staff members must be avoided,

- Each group of children needs to remain in one suitable room,

- The teacher should spend as much time outdoors as possible with the children,

- Children's dining tables and school desks need to be spaced apart so that the children sit at a distance of two metres and each child should always be sitting in the same place,

The proper organisation of space - The recommended features of a room in which a group of children are staying (a classroom or other appropriate space, such as a gym):

- The room should be as large as possible and be airy and sunny (with an adequate natural daylight source),

- The room needs to be separated from any other room occupied by other groups of children by a door,

- The room needs to be well ventilated with fresh (not recycled) air from outdoors

- In the immediate vicinity of the room, there needs to be a toilet which is used exclusively by that group of children,

- It is necessary to arrange for the children to eat in that same room (meals can be delivered to the room and then consumed in that room), in such a way that the person bringing the food leaves food on a tray in front of the entrance to the classroom and the teacher brings the food into the room in for the children, the food must be pre-divided into portions,

- The room must have direct access to a larger terrace, balcony or, if possible, an outdoor yard,

- Any other person's entry (such as cleaning staff, janitors or those bringing food) into the room must be avoided as long as the children are in the room,

- Passage through common areas should be avoided and minimised, and if necessary, passage through common areas shall be organised in such a way that children and the teacher from the same group pass at the same time, while other persons don't pass at the same time, all while encouraging children not to touch any surfaces or objects in such passageways,

These instructions, among other things, relate to entering, exiting and carrying out classes in school facilities, as well as handing over children and dealing with school equipment, all of which can be found on the Croatian Institute of Public Health's official website.

Make sure to follow our dedicated section for more on coronavirus in Croatia and the Croatian Institute of Public Health.

May 1, 2020 - Ivan Rakitic smiles on the cover of Spain's most popular sports daily Marca. The Croatia representative and Barcelona champion was given the space he deserves for his status over the past years at Camp Nou, though he spoke about football the least. In Spain, the main topic today is the coronavirus pandemic.

Tl.portal reports that football players in Spain are preparing to return to training, but the situation with the coronavirus pandemic is still far from over - more than 212,000 people have been infected, with some 25,000 dead from the effects of this vicious infection.

Screenshot

So, what is Ivan Rakitic missing most during home isolation?

"Like everyone, I miss the little joys and rituals that make up life; driving my daughter to school, breakfast in the city, physical activity, peace. In this situation, I learned a lot, but the most important thing is that I now appreciate the seemingly small things far more and moments that we normally took for granted. And, of course, family and closest friends. In this regard, isolation was particularly difficult for me, because my family and close friends were scattered throughout Switzerland, Croatia, and Spain. I thank God everyone is fine," Rakitic said, admitting he could not imagine living in something like this:

"No one could have imagined something like this. I know that we at the club took the whole situation very seriously. We went to play the first game of the Champions League round of 16 with Napoli, already aware that anything could happen. We must now be positive and also aware that everything we do to prevent the spread of the infection is truly good for us. I learned that you have to appreciate those little details you go through every day. The simplest moments are also the most beautiful. With family, friends, people you love. This has taught us a lot."

The situation is not at all pleasant, and it has been scary for many.

"I would not say fear is the right word, I was more caught up in some uncertainty. I'm a person who lives organized, I don't like surprises of this type. I like to have things under control, and this has thrown my family, from Seville, Switzerland and Croatia, into uncertainty. It is good that there are modern technologies so that we could motivate each other a lot. I admit, there were moments of anxiety, but thank God my family is fine," admits Rakitic, who has a message of encouragement for all:

"Many around the world have suffered and they are all our heroes. I would like to express eternal gratitude to them. It is clear that humanity will never forget this, but we must not allow ourselves to be left with only ugly and negative memories. We should always be in solidarity with one another, as in the time of the corona. Let's get the power to move forward."

What is the future of football? In some countries, the season will not reconvene.

"Everyone has the right to make their own decision. We see that the French league, one of the most important in Europe, will not play and that must be respected. Each national federation will decide what is best for it and how to bridge this gap of non-playing. I also think that one cannot make the same decisions, that everything cannot continue at the same time," said Rakitic, who still thinks that football holds an essential place in everyday life: 

"Football is very important to many people, and the proof of that is the money that revolves around it. I have heard a lot lately about the problems that await football if it is not played. Of course, they are economical - money, European competitions, promotions and relegation, TV rights, calendars ... But, it's not about the fans, those who have their football taken away overnight and all those who live for football, "says Rakitic, and adds:

"I think it's time for all the football staff to stand up and unanimously say that they are not playing football for economic reasons. We need to get young people interested in doing what they love, regardless of the millions who invest in football. For starters, one should move away from thoughts of the virus and infection, have fun with friends, find a reason to be happy. Now is the time for all athletes to unite and support those who need the most support."

What is his attitude toward playing?

"It's football time. Now footballers have to give back to society what society has already given them through this fight against the coronavirus. I know I want to play. Now it's time to get back to football. It is obvious that we will have to return with the best sanitary conditions, but neither do they guarantee 100% certainty for all actors. Risks will be experienced by all workers and employees with the same problems, from supermarket workers onwards. They run the risk every day, I'm ready to do the same," said Rakitic, who openly admits that he wants to take the risk of contracting the coronavirus if it means playing football again:

"Without any doubt, yes. I say this, aware that the risk of infection is very low, but also in solidarity with those who have been 'playing from the first minute' for us since the corona began and have not stopped. Supermarket workers also change in the locker rooms and are at greater risk than us for becoming infected. I, too, want to take that risk. I'm sure all the fans would like football to come back. We need to let people enjoy football, and football itself should be the first way of thanking all the fighters of the coronavirus," claims Rakitic, noting that without the fans it won't be the same:

"It will be difficult and strange to play in empty stands, and rarely does this happen. But we will be equally motivated because we will know that we are being escorted from our homes by an entire army of fans. Every time I see a kid in my jersey I think about how much effort their parents made to buy that for them. We will not disappoint them. We will know how to feel their support. I hope we get another dose of humanity after all this and know how to appreciate what's important to us."

To conclude, perhaps the most difficult topic, at least when it comes to Ivan Rakitic - his status in Barcelona and his apparent departure from the club at the end of this season.

"My situation in Barcelona has not changed. I am at the peak of my career and in my best years (32), fully motivated and convinced that I can have and will have anything. The market situation has changed a lot, but I do not regret the decisions made so far because I have reached the level of maturity to anticipate various situations. If by the end of the season they would still take the championship and the Champions League, wish us luck... I will try to do my best, both for the team and for myself. I want to enjoy football and start playing as soon as possible. When the season is over, I will analyze what to do next," concluded Ivan Rakitic in an extensive interview with Marca.

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

May 1, 2020 - So what is the latest Croatia corona travel advice? When will borders open, flights take off, and tourism finally begin? An overview of what we know at the moment.

Can you travel to Croatia? Around Croatia? Is Croatia safer than other destinations? When will tourism start? Who can cross the border?

With so many questions, so much uncertainty, and SO many people wanting to go on holiday and get tourism started, here is what we know today.

Croatia corona travel - how safe is Croatia and how well has it handled the corona crisis?

Croatia has handled the health threat from coronavirus extremely well, both in terms of measures taken and communication. The authorities reacted quicker than most as they watched the horror unfold across the Adriatic in Italy, and an extremely effective National Civil Protection Headquarters has kept infections and deaths well below the European average. And this despite the additional challenges brought on by the Zagreb earthquakes. 

Croatia currently has 2,076 cases of infection, which has resulted in 69 deaths. The majority of cases - 1,348 - have recovered. 

The authorities also moved quickly not only to close borders, but also to localise infection by severely restricting all unnecessary travel between municipalities. Its famous tourist islands have remained almost totally corona-free. Only those with an island ID were permitted to use the ferries, and only then with a special purpose. 

So in terms of its approach to the virus, and the results, there is perhaps nowhere better than Croatia. 

And then question on everyone's lips is - when can we travel to Croatia, and is Croatia corona travel safe?

Nothing is totally safe in these very uncertain times, but I would say that COMPARITAVELY speaking, Croatia is as safe as anywhere in Europe to come for a holiday IF conditions allow. More on that below. 

What is the current situation with Croatia's borders? Who can enter the country?

What is the latest news about the borders opening for tourism?

Everyone WANTS tourism to begin, but just how safe is it, when might it happen, and will it be for everyone?

Some clues from some recent TCN articles:

Gari Cappelli and Slovenia Optimistic about Opening Borders between Two Countries (April 30)

EU Ministers Meet: COVID-19 Passport, Cro Card and More (April 28)

Istria County Tourism Committee Hosts First Session about Opening Borders (April 28)

COVID-19 in Croatia: Gari Cappelli Discusses Summer Travel with EU Tourism Ministers (April 28)

Austrian Media: Croatia is Our Best Chance for Summer Holiday (April 27)

German Bild on Croatia: Corona-Free Destination for Summer Travel (April 25)

What about flights to Croatia? An overview of all the major airlines to Croatia and their current positions

If there is one tiny cloud with silver lining for Croatian tourism, it is that the vast majority of its visitors arrive by car. The proximity of countries such as Slovenia, Austria, Germany, Poland, Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary and Serbia mean that the season will not be a total disaster if it is allowed to start. Holiday options for these countries will be more limited due to the drastic reduction in flights which will be a post-corona reality. So destinations such as Greece, Turkey and Egypt will be much harder to reach than hopping in a car from Central or Eastern Europe. 

The big intercontinental carriers have mostly writtten off 2020 totally, with Qatar Airways and American Airlines, delaying Dubrovnik until 2021. And with the CEO of easyJet saying the airline will feel like a new startup post-corona, Ryanair's homepage focusing on September breaks since March, and Norwegian Air on the brink, the reality is that flights to Croatia will be much reduced. The official Koronavirus website has produced this very helpful overview of where individual airlines are with their plans. You can follow the updated page here.   

CROATIA

From May 11, Croatia Airlines will operate flights on the following routes within Croatia:

Zagreb - Split

OU652 (08:00 - 09:00)
OU656 (20:20 - 21:10)

Split - Zagreb

OU653 (09:45 - 10:35)
OU657 (21:50 - 22:40)

Zagreb - Dubrovnik

OU662 (08:00 - 09:05)
OU664 (20:20 - 21:25)

Dubrovnik - Zagreb

OU663 (09:50 - 10:55)
OU665 (22:10 - 23:15)

Information on other domestic flights will be published later.

Dubrovnik Airport is closed to civilian traffic until 02/05/2020. due to preventive measures to prevent the spread of coronaviruses. More details.

Osijek Airport - from 27.4. the Pothodnik branch reopens. While prevention measures are in place, the opening hours will be 9 am-5pm on weekdays (Monday through Friday). More information can be obtained by e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and phone +38531284611. It is recommended that all inquiries be sent in writing to the specified e-mail. More information.

The Croatia Airlines contact center is available on the following numbers: 0800 77 77 (toll free calls from Croatia), 072 500 505 or +385 1 66 76 555. More info.

AirBaltic - All AirBaltic connections are suspended from March 17 to May 12, 2020, including airBaltic operations from Estonia and Lithuania. Click for the latest info.

Air France - Due to coronavirus, they have reduced 90% of flight capacity and this supply reduction is in effect until the end of May. Due to the closure of Paris-Orly Airport, all flights from and to Paris go via Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport. Latest info.

Air Canada has suspended all flights between Toronto and Zagreb for the summer of 2020. 

Austrian Airlines, a branch of Lufthansa, has decided to suspend all its scheduled flights until 3 May 2020. More details.

British Airways - the latest updates.

Brussels Airlines has decided to suspend flights until May 15, 2020. More details.

Czech Airlines has suspended flights to / from Prague from 16 March, as a result of the Czech government's declaration of a state of emergency and a related ban on foreigners entering the Czech Republic. More details.

easyJet - They made the decision to ground the aircraft until further notice. More details.

Emirates - Emirates has established limited passenger flights to transport passengers departing from the UAE. More details.

Germanwings - Germanwings flights no longer exist.
 
KLM - Latest info.

Lufthansa - More details.

Ryanair - As most EU countries have imposed flight bans or other restrictions, more than 90% of Ryanair's aircraft are grounded, and the limited flight schedule has been extended until 14 May. More details.

Turkish Airlines - All international flights are canceled until May 28, 2020. More details.

Qatar Airways - all direct flights between Zagreb and Doha are suspended until May 31, 2020. Flexible when changing travel plans until September 30, 2020. For more information, contact the Qatar Airways office in Zagreb at +385 (0) 1 4961110 / 111, email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or check the details here.

Wizz Air - In early May, it will fly from Budapest to Athens, Barcelona, ​​Berlin, Birmingham, Basel, Dortmund, Eindhoven, Gothenburg, London, Liverpool, Madrid, Podgorica, Sarajevo, Stockholm and Targa Mures. See more here.

What about freedom of movement within Croatia at the moment?

After weeks of being confined to the individual municipality, restrictions were recently lifted on travel within Croatia's 20 regions (but not in all cases). It is expected that this will be loosened further if the current situation remains stable - from May 11. Please note that countywide travel is not the case everywhere - for the latest, check the official government Koronavirus website.  

The authorities announced yesterday that those with real estate elsewhere in Croatia can now get a permit to visit it - good news for the many people with holiday homes on the coast. 

New measures are due to come into effect on May 4 - what are they?

On April 23, 2020, Prime Minister Plenkovic announced his 3-phase plan to loosen restrictions. 

Part one has already come into force:

PHASE 1 - April 27, 2020

- Ability to work for all business entities engaged in trade, except those operating within shopping centers

- Continuation of work to all business entities engaged in service activities, except those in which close contact with customers is observed, respecting physical distance measures (for example, carpenter, tailor, locksmith, travel agencies, photo studio)

- Introduction of public city and suburban transport lines and express lines for islands not connected by ferry

- Libraries, museums, galleries, antiques and bookstores to open

- Facilitating training of athletes I and II. categories in individual sports and senior sports teams competing in the highest level of competition

- Facilitating the state professional exam for priority groups of students

And the second phase is due to come into effect on Monday:

PHASE 2 - May 4, 2020

- Enabling the full operation of the public health system, with the exception of exceptions in line with the Ministry of Health measures

- Enabling the full operation of the private health system, with due regard for specific epidemiological measures

- Ability to work for all business entities engaged in service activities in which close contact with clients is observed, with respect to specific epidemiological measures (for example, hairdressers, beauticians, barbers, pedicurists)

Additional measures are due to come into effect on May 11 - what are they?

PHASE 3 - May 11, 2020

- Gatherings of up to 10 people in one place allowed, while respecting physical distance measures

- Facilitating the operation of shopping malls while respecting specific epidemiological measures

- Facilitating the work of preschools and elementary classes from grades 1-4 and special classes and working with children with disabilities who have a teaching assistant

- Laboratory, artistic and clinical exercises and practical work allowed in small groups in higher education

- Introduction of inter-county and domestic air services

- Allowing catering facilities to work exclusively in outdoor areas and terraces

- Allowing catering facilities to work in accommodation facilities only for users of accommodation services

- Operation of national and nature parks allowed

- Expanding opportunities for issuing e-passes

What is the situation with ferries in Croatia?

Currently, only people with a special permit are allowed to travel on the ferries in Croatia. 

A reduced service is running - here is the timetable in full in English, valid until May 28.

Starting on Sunday, 26 April, the Zadar-Ancona international ferry resumed for freight vehicles only.

TCN reports from the ferry terminal in Stari Grad on Hvar to give an indication what current ferry traffic is like. 

You can check the latest news in English on the Jadrolinija website.

Are buses running between cities in Croatia?

Currently no. 

What about local transport?

Some local transport has now restarted.  

An overview of the situation in Zagreb.

Are there any trains currently running in Croatia?

Currently no. 

What is the situation on Croatia's roads and motorways?

There is obviously a lot less traffic on the roads currently. For the latest information on roadworks and other problems, check this HAK page (in English)

Are taxis and private transfers available in Croatia?

Yes. I checked with one of the most reliable providers, Octopus Transfers, and they are able to cover transfers all over the country.  

What are the self-isolation rules for people entering Croatia currently?

People entering Croatia are required to self-isolate for 14 days. 

Will Ultra Europe 2020 take place in Split, and what about other festivals?

We are getting a LOT of emails asking whether or not Ultra Europe will take place in July. Tickets are being sold on the Internet, which gives festival-goers hope. This is the latest we have.

The situation is constantly evolving, and for the latest on travel updates and all other coronavirus developments, we recommend you follow the dedicated TCN COVID-19 section.  

If there are errors or omissions in the above, please contact me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Subject Travel Update, so that I can get this resource updated. Thanks in advance and stay safe. 

April the 30th, 2020 - Coronavirus. Isolation. Social distancing. Missed hugs. Missing people, at least one coffee with friends. From the bed to the kitchen and back is the typical distance made these days. The world is going virtual. All other things we are living through in these so deeply and radically different times.

The e-mail was quite short and adamant. It began with: ‘I told you that you would sing in public again”. (What?). It included, all quite dryly, the links to the score with and without the lyrics, a very brief explanation of the idea and the requirement to submit the part within 24 hours. That was all.

The message was from Djelo Jusic Jr., whose late father was one of the most popular authors of light music Croatia has ever had. Djelo Jr. is an accomplished musician and accompanist himself, born and raised in Dubrovnik. 

Coronavirus-induced confinement enhances emotions, nostalgia included.

''I felt so distant from Dubrovnik and my friends, wondering how they are, what they're doing, missing their company, missing the spontaneous singing under the arches of the Rector’s Palace. The impact of the restriction of movement made it even worse. Everything felt so distant. So, this song came to my mind, many times over the days and all these years, actually, as it is precisely about nostalgia and to me is one of the four or five most beautiful songs dedicated to Dubrovnik ever written.''

Mario Nardelli, wrote the song ''Last night when I closed my eyes'' exactly 43 years ago. Loosely, he wonders how are his friends doing, where they are at all, and is he going to see them ever again to share music and the dawns on the beach together. If he is never to come back home, his friends are asked to sing this very song occasionally as it is the only thing that can bring back happiness into their friend away in some distant and unknown land.

Djelo’s list of us to take part started easily: ''Last night…'' was first performed in Dubrovnik by two of us on Djelo's list: Sergio Gjivoje and Mario Romanovic, both living in the USA, 43 years ago!

''My wife Paula and I had done something similar for the disastrous floods in Gunja and other places some years ago, and this idea with ''Last night…'' clicked in an instant. The experience taught me to allocate a part of the song to each participant and set a deadline for the submission of the material and nothing else. If you give them time, they would each have their remarks, questions, suggestions. This way, there is time for nothing but for pure emotion.''

When it came up on YouTube two days later, this proved so true. Not only inside me, but inside so many people who either commented or called in gratitude for the tears this little big undertake provoked. So here is the never rehearsed, just purely emotional memory of a number of us people from Dubrovnik scattered around the world to our friends and to our own memories of those unforgettable dawns on the beach.

We secretly hope this music inspires you to send your own most beautiful nostalgic thoughts to your friends back home and to share a song with them, even if only virtually, inside your heart.

Watch the video below:

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

As Poslovni Dnevnik writes on the 30th of April, 2020, perhaps the Croatian healthcare system and the long waiting lists will be helped in some way by the coronavirus pandemic, because it seems that this virus has forced reforms we have been waiting for for a very long time. For years, changes have been promised by politicians from across the spectrum, but they were actually brought in by something invisible.

Suddenly, one can work from home, all of a sudden, everyone thinks we have too many counties and that this is pointless, suddenly the self-sufficiency of agriculture is a daily issue for everyone. Suddenly, everything can be done online in Croatia, RTL writes.

The state has been promising reforms for a very long time, and there has always been a lack of a piece of paper here and there, as well as a few stamps, which are longstanding symbols of Croatian bureaucracy. And then came the coronavirus pandemic, infecting the old and the young, and bringing about the reforms we dreamed of with it.

"We have five money-related foreclosure services where a user can open a secured account, submit a payment request, or cancel a payment request. They can submit a query or a complaint, anything for which they'd usually come to the counter,'' said Andrea Kajtaz, of commercial digital solutions at FINA.

There is almost no need for us to hold a ballpoint pen (which is probably also rapidly running out of ink and no longer has a lid) in our hands anymore either, as coronavirus has made digital signatures a reality. Has the pandemic really, finally given us a digital Croatia?

As of 2017, the Ministry of Health has has a system in place that few have actually used, it was so important to former Health Minister Milan Kujunzdic that, well... it is only just being presented this week. As has unofficially been found out, through that system, a patient will receive a username from a doctor and on the zdravlje.net (health.net) site through which they will be able to renew prescriptions for approved medicines themselves! And that's not all, according to the findings, patients will not be required to go to the hospital or to a doctor for a discharge letter, but instead they will be available online. This revolutionary for Croatia in 2020.

Admit it, you're missing those delightful trips to the tax office with your hands full of meaningless papers! Although they have been digitised through the ePorezna system for some time, for many things you have still needed to physically go to the tax office to explain your problem to a completely disinterested employee who is irritated at you for interrupting her Solitaire playing session. That used to be the Croatian reality, at least until the coronavirus epidemic broke out. As many as 20,000 new users have signed up for ePorezna during the quarantine period. Tax deferral requests can also now be submitted online.

''Over 100,000 of these requests have been resolved at this moment in time, with 100,000 applications received. Just over 7,000 of them were rejected, unfortunately, there were double submissions amounting to about 12,000. Based on these requests, the payment of the amount of 1.7 billion kuna has already been delayed,'' said Tax Administration Director Bozidar Kutlesa.

E-Passes linked health, police and the economy together, but also let the spirit out of the bottle. It's crystal clear now - we need fewer counties and municipalities. Croatia has 428 of them and much larger and much richer Germany only has 295. Experts suggest five regional units and the total abolition of some municipalities.

Thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, suddenly we're all able to work from home. 69 percent of employees are now working from the safety of their homes now. Before coronavirus came knocking at Croatia's door, those who suggested working from home were called lazy, and today this is more than acceptable to most Croatian bosses. Admittedly, the Croatian Labour Law doesn't actually yet recognise this, so employers propose that working from home is also properly and officially made legal in the eyes of the law.

With the first wave of layoffs, there were also big queues in front of the Employment Bureau. And since this is a risky epidemiological situation, the Bureau asked all those wishing to register to submit their request by mail.

What we eat matters. The coronavirus pandemic has once again confirmed that we need to be far more self-sufficient than we are. Croatia produces enough cereals, beef, tangerines and other products to meet its own needs. We have the resources, we just need a plan and the political will.

Students will complete their school year at home, at least most of them. Classes are held online or via television. Who would have ever thought something like that would be possible in 21st-century-hating Croatia? With its masochistic adoration of paper, stamps, signatures, photocopies and the need for the presentation of an ID card before you can even get a conversation, coronavirus has shown that when it comes to digitalisation, Croatia is a country that can, and should.

Make sure to follow our coronavirus section for all you need to know about the pandemic in relation to Croatia.

April 30, 2020 -  Hvar Tourist Board director Petar Razovic talks about what can be expected in the season ahead. 

"In the best forecasts for this tourist season, we are dreaming of 30 percent of last year's traffic," said Petar Razovic, director of the Hvar Tourist Board, when asked about the expectations for this tourist season.

HRTurizam reports that Razovic said forecasts reveal that they will have between 50 and 60 thousand arrivals and a maximum of 150,000 overnights. 

"I can safely say that in the 150 years of Hvar tourism, the town of Hvar has not been disadvantaged in terms of the tourist season," Razovic said.

Although it is difficult to predict anything as nobody knows what the situation will bring in a month, the reality is that we can hardly expect significant tourist figures this year, assuming that the situation changes significantly for the better and borders are opened.

However, although we need to be realistic, that does not mean that we don't have to be optimistic, do everything we can to try to activate the tourist market, and be ready to welcome whatever type of tourist season awaits.

Thus, Hvar is preparing for the season as if everything is in order, so that everyone, from restaurants to private renters and hotels, will be able to satisfy the measures prescribed by the National Civil Protection Headquarters.

The leaders of Hvar tourism have so far been tourists from the US and the UK (65% of all overnight stays), or regions most affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Now, however, the focus is changing to the markets of Germany, Slovenia, Austria, but also Croatia.

“Last year, we had 30,000 arrivals and about 100,000 overnights from Germany, Slovenia, and Austria, while from Croatia, we had 10,000 arrivals and 50,000 overnights. These figures are small for Hvar, but if we had that this year, we would be satisfied. Of course, it will be impossible to close the gap with the lack of tourists from those major markets, the US and the UK," says Razvoic.

"Prices will go down 10 to 15 percent on average. There are also plenty of canceled reservations in private accommodation, and guests who have already booked reservations before August and who have not canceled so far are sending apartment owners inquiries about changing their booking as soon as possible. There will be no reduction for hotel accommodation, but there will be an increase in services," Razovic says.

When asked what that means, Razovic points out that guests will get a deluxe room for the price of an ordinary room.

In the end, Razovic emphasizes that they are preparing as if everything is going according to plan.

"We all live in the hope that the coronavirus will go away, that it will simply disappear and that we will have a normal tourist season," Razovic concludes.

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

As Poslovni Dnevnik writes on the 29th of April, 2020, Ledo has provided a donation of more than five tonnes of goods worth more than 100,000 kuna to four hospitals in Zagreb and the Good Home (Dobri dom) Institution, which takes care of those who are most in need.

These are packages that contain a number of Ledo's ready-made and frozen products, such as frozen vegetables and fish, meat, and sweet and savory dough.

Ledo made part of this generous donation, amounting to 60,000 in total, to the Zagreb Clinical Hospital Centre, the Zagreb Children's Hospital, the "Sveti Duh" Clinic and the "Dr. Fran Mihaljevic'' Clinic for Infecious Diseases. While through the ''Good Home'' Institution, Ledo donated a further 40,000 kuna worth of Ledo products.

Thus, the largest Croatian producer of ice cream and frozen food has once again shown that small steps build solidarity in emergency situations. This large Ledo donation, along with several smaller ones the company has already provided to the community since the coronavirus crisis began, is part of the Fortenova Group's overall contribution to the communities in which it operates. The total amount of Fortenova Group donations across Croatia and the immediate region has reached four million kuna during so far.

“Ledo is a socially responsible company with a long tradition. With these donations, we want to help to facilitate the work of hospitals, but also to thank all those who are tirelessly fighting the epidemic and helping those who need it the most in this situation. A big thank you goes out to all our employees who, in this emergency, are making an extra effort and showing their dedication to keep the production process running smoothly and to ensure the regular supply of markets in Croatia and across the region,'' said Marin Poljak, CEO of Ledo.

Thanking Ledo for the generous donation, Alen Zupan, the director of the Good Home Institution, emphasised that health and safety in these extraordinary circumstances are our common priority.

"It's therefore important to ensure that the system in which we operate is geared towards the most vulnerable citizens, so that it can cope with the potential spread of the disease, but also to remedy the effects of the severe earthquake which hit the City of Zagreb. Therefore, we'd like to heartily thank Ledo for a truly valuable donation to our Institution, which is intended for all of our fellow citizens in need of social protection who are beneficiaries of our social services,'' said Zupan.

Similarly, Ledo was thanked for the donation by Goran Roic, the director of the Zagreb Children's Hospital in Klaiceva, on behalf of the facility, the staff, and of course its young patients and their parents.

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