September the 11th, 2022 - Forbes has thrown to spotlight onto no less than the gorgeous Istrian Peninsula, part of Croatia which is absolutely bursting with things to see and do and as such is more than worth visiting during the cooler autumn months.

As Morski writes, another extremely valuable bit of promotion for the Istrian peninsula has come in the form of the famous American publication, Forbes, dedicating a large write up to it.

Unless one has been living under a rock, it's very well known that Forbes is one of the most influential media outlets in the entire world, and it has recently published a large report about the Istrian peninsula in its online edition under the title Gorgeous And Gourmet: Now Is The Time To Visit Istria.

Renowned journalist Ann Abel, the author of the Forbes reportage, invites travellers and adventurers to visit and experience everything that the truly stunning Istrian peninsula has to offer. Describing her experiences, she highlights the wide range of gastronomic and cultural offers that tourists can immerse themselves in, including historical facts and many traces of the past. She also highlights the picturesque hotels and traditional gastronomic destinations that travellers should visit when there.

''Over the past ten years, Forbes has quoted and written about the Istrian peninsula several times, but the most important step forward took place back in 2018, when Forbes declared Istria one of the eight most interesting destinations to visit. Since then, we've had regular publications like that, and this year alone, we had four publications with the most important investments and news for 2022, with the fact that this last one is definitely the crown of all of this year's publications. Such a large and extensive reportage from such an influential media makes a significant difference. In addition, it was written by the extremely well-respected journalist Ann Abel, which further raises the reputation of Istria,'' said the director of the Istria County Tourist Board, Denis Ivosevic.

The PR activities of the Istria County Tourist Board definitely prove to be perhaps the most important tool for communication and promotion of the Istrian peninsula and all its destinations.

Abel, who spent time in Istria at the end of June of this year, highlighted the experience related to truffle hunting as well as the delicacy itself as something special, concluding "it's always truffle o'clock somewhere". The author also provides a special review of Istrian cheese, Istrian extra virgin olive oil, specific local wines and the peninsula's extremely valuable and varied gastronomic offer.

Leading the reader through Istria, Abel additionally highlights the beautiful Brijuni National Park, and the cities of Pula, Novigrad and Rovinj.

The Forbes portal otherwise enjoys an incredible 56.5 million unique views on a monthly basis, so the published report means exceptional advertising for the Istrian peninsula, all its destinations and for Croatia as a whole.

For more, make sure to check out our dedicated travel section.

April 25, 2021 - From incredible flight news to The Total Croatia Travel INFO (TCTI) Viber community winning an award, the past week has been exciting. Here are TCN's five highlights of the week in Croatia from April 19 to 25, 2021.

The week started with the exciting introduction of a new direct route between New York and Dubrovnik. While things may have taken a slight turn in the middle of the week, the latest news regarding The Total Croatia Travel INFO Viber community ended the week on a high. From Monday to Sunday, we list five events featured on Croatia's news portals on the front pages.

Highlights of the week: TCTI Viber Community, Manjgura, Mediacor Wins 2021 Crisis Management PR Grand Prix 

The Total Croatia Travel INFO (TCTI) Viber community, in partnership with Manjgura and Mediacor, has won the 2021 HUOJ International Grand Prix Award for Crisis Communication. It was a project with a total investment of just 2,000 kunas (US $320) that generated more than 10 million euros of tourism spend for the Croatian economy in 2020. 

Although the award is associated with TCN, it actually goes to the partners, Croatia's oldest PR agency, Manjgura, and Mediacor. You can check out Manjgura services here and Mediacor here. The project was conceived by Manjgura founder Kreso Macan, who had the vision to see the need and the determination and drive to pull off the project. It was a masterclass of how to achieve the goal. 

Highlights of the week: Forbes Included Istria in 50 Spectacular Places to Visit Post-Pandemic 

Another recognition of Croatia's beauty and tourist offer as the American magazine Forbes included Istria among 50 spectacular destinations for post-pandemic travels. The article states that Istria is an ideal destination for all gastronomy lovers who wish to taste quality olive oil, truffles, prosciutto, wine, and seafood in Istria. It also emphasizes the beauty of Istrian towns and their excellent geographical position.

Srecko Niketic

"Foodies should consider Croatia's Istrian Peninsula for their next taste-testing vacation. As the crow flies, you're practically in Italy; in fact, there's a ferry that runs between Venice and Pula, Croatia. You'll find truffles, olive oil, prosciutto, wine, and all types of seafood, plus delicacies that are 100% Croatian.

This region is popular with European travelers, but Americans are only just beginning to visit. If you go, be sure to split your time between a coastal city (such as Rovinj or Pula) and inland villages (hill-top Motovun is a favorite)," writes Forbes.

Highlights of the week: United Airlines Flights to Croatia Announced with New York-Dubrovnik Line this Summer! 

United Airlines, one of the largest American airlines, is launching a direct route between the United States and Croatia! After American Airlines permanently canceled the Philadelphia-Dubrovnik route due to the global pandemic, Croatia will directly connect with the United States. 

Pixabay

Croatia has met all the conditions for abolishing tourist visas to enter the United States, and American guests can plan a vacation in Croatia this summer, so United decided to be the first to react and introduce a direct line to Dubrovnik from New York this summer! United will operate to Dubrovnik as early as July 8 this year with three flights per week. Departures from New York are planned on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, with the return from Dubrovnik a day later.

Highlights of the week: Croatian Tennis Federation Rejects Established Croatia Player for Brother's Social Media Posts? 

A member of the Croatian tennis community and organizer of the Croatia Bol Open, Feliks Lukas, announced on his Facebook page that the Croatian Tennis Federation (HTS) rejected the request of his sister, Tena Lukas, to play at the ITF Zagreb Ladies Open. 

"The Croatian Tennis Federation rejected the request to invite the seven-time senior national team member and #268 WTA tennis player of the world to the ITF Zagreb Ladies Open, explaining it to Tena as follows:

'Because of your brother's Facebook posts, you are not a candidate for an invitation to the tournament!'

Davor Javorovic

Namely, in its defense, HTS stated that the mentioned tennis player Tena Lukas did not get a wild card because she has practically not been able to beat anyone lately. "As a member of the Croatia national team, Tena Lukas was certainly among the candidates for an invitation to the Zagreb Ladies Open because she deserved this opportunity with her performances in the former Fed Cup (now the Billie Jean King Cup) and on an individual level. However, her latest results were crucial not to be shortlisted this time: she played seven tournaments this year, and she was eliminated in all seven in the first round, either in the main event or in the qualifiers."

Highlights of the week: Croatia Rally Day One: Belgian Driver Thierry Neuville in the Lead 

The 2021 Croatia Rally, part of one of the world's most attractive auto racing competitions (World Rally Championship - WRC), is being held from April 22 to 25 this year. The race is held on across three counties, on the local roads of Zagreb, Karlovac, and Krapina-Zagorje counties.

Luka Stanzl

The two-day race began on Friday with Belgian driver Thierry Neuville (Hyundai i20) leads with three-morning victories on the WRC Croatia Rally day one. Even with small delays in the four-afternoon specials, he kept the top spot, while the current and seven-time world champion Frenchman Sebastien Ogier broke into second place (Toyota Yaris).

To follow all news from Croatia, subscribe to our newsletter.

February the 13th, 2021 - Two Croatian destinations have made it onto the latest of Forbes' prestigious lists as Valentine's Day quickly approaches. The pandemic might be raging on and travel may be difficult, but we're sure many people outside of Croatia will be daydreaming about the romantic Croatian coast.

As Novac/Jozo Vrdoljak writes, as Valentine's Day 2021 approaches, the highly influential American magazine Forbes published a list of sixteen of the most romantic destinations in Europe, including two Croatian destinations, Opatija and the islet of Galesnjak, said Ina Rodin, the director of the the Croatian National Tourist Board (HTZ) across the Atlantic in the United States of America.

Of these two Croatian destinations, beautiful Opatija, known as the old lady of Croatian tourism, is presented as a fashionable coastal resort and a jewel of the Kvarner area in the Northern Adriatic, whose tourist traditions date back to the 19th century.

The unique Opatija villas and hotels are surrounded by exotic gardens, parks and the stunning Croatian Adriatic sea, as well as the city's famous chocolate production. Then you have a tour of the islet of Galesnjak at hand, the possibility of discovering this beautiful little heart-shaped island by boat or plane with a panoramic view of the ancient Dalmatian city of Zadar and the Kornati archipelago.

Just the descriptions of these two Croatian destinations alone will surely be enough to set of a sense of longing in the hearts of anyone wishing for a romantic getaway in these difficult and unprecedented times in which just hopping on a plane with ease seems truly alien.

Croatia aside, this Forbes selection is, as stated, a compilation of some of the most romantic destinations for Valentine's Day in Europe, compiled by the European Best Destination Organisation.

Along with Opatija and Galesnjak, the list includes the Portuguese island of Porto Santo, Spicnik in Slovenia, Italian Burano, Dinard in Brittany, Oia in Santorini, Greece, Mijas in Andalusia, stunning Polperro in Cornwall, England, Lake Como in Italy, the Algarve in Portugal, Sveti Stefan in neighbouring Montenegro, Gdansk and Sopot in Poland, Rossa in Switzerland, Rothenburg Ob der Tauber in Germany, and Preveli on the Greek island of Crete.

For the latest travel info, bookmark our main travel info article, which is updated daily. 

Read the Croatian Travel Update in your language - now available in 24 languages.

Join the Total Croatia Travel INFO Viber community.

February 8, 2021 – Another recognition to the Croatian islands as Forbes ranked Mljet among the top five Mediterranean undiscovered islands.

As reported by Ina Rodin, director of the Croatian National Tourist Board in the USA, the renowned American magazine Forbes ranked the Croatian island of Mljet among the top five undiscovered Mediterranean islands for travelers who like to explore destinations "off the beaten track."

The article states that many beautiful destinations on the Mediterranean coast are still unexplored. The author of the article brings a list of five idyllic islands, perfect for those looking to escape from the crowds and mass tourism.

The island of Mljet is presented as a perfect place for all visitors looking for an active vacation, whether it is exploring the Mljet National Park, swimming, kayaking, or numerous hiking and biking trails on the island. On the other hand, all history and culture lovers can explore Polače, one of the oldest settlements on the island, known for its Roman palace dating back to the Roman Empire.

Along with Mljet, the list includes the Greek Syros, the Spanish island of Tabarca, the Kerkennah Islands off the coast of Tunisia, and the island of Kekova in Turkey.

"Announcements about Croatia and Croatian destinations in the most popular American media such as Forbes, The New York Times, The Washington Post confirmed the popularity and position of our country as a desirable tourist destination on the American market. Although the greater realization of tourist traffic from distant markets is currently difficult, our presence and visibility in the American media are important for future trends and travel," said the Croatian National Tourist Board director Kristjan Staničić.

Let's add that the world's leading brand of tourist guides Lonely Planet in its article provides an overview of four beautiful car routes in the southeastern part of Europe, and among the selected routes was a ride from Dubrovnik to Montenegro, which according to the author simply "takes your breath away."

For the latest travel info, bookmark our main travel info article, which is updated daily. 

Read the Croatian Travel Update in your language - now available in 24 languages.

Join the Total Croatia Travel INFO Viber community.

Croatia is a favourite holiday destination for many, and numerous tourists discover the beauty of Croatia again and again. While foreign media often writes about Croatia as a dream destination, praises for environmental protection are somewhat less common. However, the renowned Forbes magazine has published a story about the Adriatic Hotel in Rovinj, part of the Maistra Collection brand, which recently decided to replace all disposable plastic items with available alternatives, which means it will become the first hotel in Croatia that is actively committed to a cleaner environment and the no-plastic-waste vacation principle. The campaign was launched on April 22, the Earth Day.

“Every human should take responsibility to protect the environment where we live, work and travel. Here in Rovinj, we have hotels right above a beautiful bay, next to a protected forest of centenary trees and on the main town square,” says Lovorka Struna, Maistra’s hotel director, as quoted by Forbes. “With this long-term initiative, we want to preserve this uniqueness and beauty, since it is ultimately about our shared future.”

As the first hotel in Croatia without disposable plastic, the Adriatic Hotel strives to be a leader in innovation and sustainability. Last year, it started using substitute paper straw instead of plastic ones, and by June the hotel will cease using 80 per cent of disposable plastic products. By the end of the year, it will have completely eliminated them from all accommodation units, bars and restaurants.

“We want to create a mindset where people will naturally refuse disposable plastics that are used for a few minutes but can last in the environment for centuries,” explains marine biologist Chiara Fumagalli, a project partner involved in the Adriatic for Adriatic campaign, as quoted by Forbes. “The idea is to inspire businesses, individuals and governments to follow suit, start a dialogue and raise awareness about the plastic pollution problem.”

The similar drive has been launched on the small island of Zlarin, which aims to become the first island in Croatia that will not use single-use plastics.

In March, the small Dalmatian island signed a charter that regulates that entrepreneurs on the island will not use disposable plastic such as bags, plates, cutlery, straws and cups. Plastic is an increasing threat to Zlarin, as a small number of inhabitants of the island face a large-scale increase in the number of tourists and guests during the summer months. About 15,000 plastic bags end up in the garbage, and plastic also pollutes the sea.

“As proof of its dedication to the cause, Croatia is hosting the very first edition of the Plastic Ocean Summit in March 2020 on the island of Mali Lošinj. It’s organised by the Ocean Alliance Conservation Member (OACM) group, a conglomerate of countries that have united to protect, preserve and clean the oceans, lakes and rivers. These are impressive major steps for a small country taking a stance against one of the world’s biggest problems,” writes Forbes.

More environmental news can be found in the Lifestyle section.

The list of the world’s most powerful women was published by Forbes magazine.

Forbes contributor Ann Abel, who many of you may remember from her “8 Reasons to be Smitten with Split” love letter last month, has once again praised her love for Croatia. This time, Abel brings us “Why Dubrovnik Should be High on Your Travel Wish List”, published on September 12, 2016.