The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has done very little to instil a sense of optimism in anyone, particularly in the enfeebled Croatian tourism sector which has been among the hardest hit economic activities in the country. One Croatian startup, however, wants to save the summer season and return a sense of optimism to those working in the Croatian tourism industry. Meet Divan.hr.

As Novac writes on the 3rd of July, 2020, Maroje Sabljić and Matina Tenžera, the duo behind Croatian startup's Divan.hr service, has been highlighting the best the City of Zagreb has to offer on its website and on its application (app) for the third year in a row now. This summer, given the dire circumstances caused by the global pandemic of the new coronavirus, they prepared the first complete digital guide to summer in Croatia's capital city - Zagreb.

"The user is offered a choice of more than 200 events across the city that can be reached in a few minutes of searching," says Tenžera, who is also the project manager for this Croatian startup. Their summer guide to Zagreb was designed so that users can also participate in the creation of content, and include all summer outdoor events, restaurants, concerts, stuff for children, etc.

However, in addition, in cooperation with interested managers and owners of hospitality facilities, they launched the #divanfiling initiative. In particular, from week to week they give away tickets for events, they treat users to booze and food in Zagreb's very best bistros and restaurants, and ensure safe entertainment for all of the app's users. The purpose of these donations is to help those in the hospitality industry, cultural facilities, performers and organisers of events bring back their much-needed guests, audiences and visitors and increase turnover and earnings.

''We want to restore optimism to people and send a clear message that summer in Zagreb has never failed,'' the creators of this Croatian startup explain.

Marin Levaj, the manager of Mojo bar, was among the first to join this campaign.

''I'm glad that we joined this initiative because we believe that guests will recognise the effort behind our modest restaurant, and also allow them to relax a bit after the past shocks caused by the pandemic and the earthquake,'' said Levaj.

Divan.hr is curently visited by 50,000 users a month.

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