ZAGREB, 21 Aug, 2021 - Tourism Minister Nikolina Brnjac said in Poreč on Saturday the sector was faced with a labour shortage, notably workers with the required qualifications, as well as with declining interest among young people for tourism jobs.

She was visiting scholarship students whose scholarships are co-financed by the ministry as part of a programme encouraging the education of hospitality and tourism personnel. As part of the programme, almost 2,000 contracts have been signed to date and over HRK 14 million paid.

Brnjac said she wanted to hear the expectations and the problems faced by the generations who, she added, were the future of Croatia's tourism.

She said she wanted to hear their ideas in order to improve the scholarship programme as well as the whole system of education in tourism.

Brnjac said the ministry would organise an event as part of the Conference on the Future of Europe to discuss this topic in more detail and that "young people are our the most important interlocutors."

She said that in order to respond to some of the challenges of the tourism labout market, additional funds had been earmarked as part of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan to strengthen human resources for a resilient and sustainable tourism.

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ZAGREB, 8 Aug, 2021 - There are 1,055,000 tourists vacationing in Croatia - 886,000 foreigners and 169,000 Croatians, the Tourism Ministry said on Sunday. 

Among the foreign tourists, the most numerous are Germans (257,000), followed by Slovenians (125,000), Poles (81,000) and Austrians (68,000).

The largest number of tourists are staying in Istra County (271,000), followed by Primorje-Gorski Kotar County (180,000) and Split-Dalmatia County (170,000).

Croatia has registered 7.4 million arrivals and 44.5 million overnights this year to date, respectively 58% and 68% of the results logged during the same time in 2019.

In the first seven days of August, there were 981,000 arrivals and 7.4 million overnights, respectively 78% and 91% of the figures recorded in the first week of August 2019.

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February 1, 2021 – The Ministry of Tourism and Sport will launch a campaign for the "Safe Stay in Croatia" label in mid-February, which will show tourists that Croatia applies health and safety protocols during the coronavirus pandemic.

After announcing that the Ministry was preparing a "Safe travel" label for the upcoming tourist season, Minister of Tourism and Sports Nikolina Brnjac confirmed today that they would start the campaign in mid-February.

Tourism must show adaptability and responsibility

As Hina reports, apart from tourist entities for which this label is intended, airlines, gas stations, various tourist facilities, cultural and natural attractions will also use it. The protocols will be harmonized with the recommendations of the Croatian Institute of Public Health (HZJZ). It will also include a sticker with a QR code that can be displayed in a visible place. As part of the promotion, a special website will also be launched.

The Ministry will assign and keep the labels free of charge and monitor their application with associations.

"In addition to the application of these protocols, important preconditions for achieving tourist results are a favorable epidemiological situation, a sufficient level of vaccination, and the perception of destination security. Croatia was recognized for that last year. We will continue to work on it in 2021. Due to the pandemic, the tourism sector will again have to show creativity, adaptability, responsibility, and cooperation," said the Minister.

Adherence to global standardized health protocols

Noting that the introduction of these labels is an important wheel in branding Croatia as a safe destination, the Minister expects that by Easter, it will contribute to the promotion, recalling that it is essential to continue to adhere to epidemiological recommendations and measures.

Source: Pixabay

The labels are a national upgrade of last year's "Safe Travel" labels of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) to make it easier to identify destinations and companies that adhere to global standardized health and hygiene protocols. The Croatian Ministry of Tourism and Sport immediately got involved. Harmonization of safety protocols for restaurants, hotels, family farms, holiday homes, beaches, marinas, boats, travel agencies, rent-a-car, tourist guides was one of the first tasks of the Council for the Repair and Development of Tourism.

Slow vaccine distribution not in favor of tourism trends

Minister Brnjac said that the vaccine is excellent news for tourism. Vaccination of tourism workers, for which about 70 percent of them are interested in Croatia, will play an important role in tourism promotion and results.

She says the slow distribution of vaccines and vaccinations, the new strain of the virus, and the growing number of infections in Europe and the world, are not in favor of tourism trends. It is necessary to open borders and overcome the psychological barrier of fear to travel again. It is encouraging that the EU insists on an agreement on the quantity and dynamics of vaccine delivery.

"We hope that in Croatia, as in other EU member states, a good initial vaccination rate will continue. Given the current situation with the vaccine at the EU level, Croatia's position is to insist on talks with pharmaceutical companies on the agreed quantity and dynamics of vaccine delivery," adds Brnjac.

Among other things, Croatia is in contact with representatives of other EU member states. At the moment, all EU member states want to speed up vaccination.

Source: Pixabay

Regarding the introduction of measures for tourist arrivals and border crossings, the Minister recalls that EU leaders agreed to work on a standardized form of evidence of vaccination in compliance with EU data protection regulations. This certificate would, for the time being, be used exclusively for medical purposes.

"For crossing Croatia's border, a negative PCR test result not older than 48 hours should be presented, or PCR testing should be performed immediately upon arrival (at one's own expense), with the obligation of self-isolation until a negative result. If it is impossible to test, a self-isolation measure will last for ten days. Further measures will be subject to the course of the epidemiological situation in Croatia, but also specific markets," said the Minister.

Croatia recommended destination for 2021

In the current situation, the Minister considers it's good that the people from foreign markets are eager to travel. It's even better that Croatia is mentioned as a desirable destination, thanks to the proximity to many markets and good transport links, especially road.

"This year, we expect a distinct 'last-minute' demand and demand for safe, fast, and easily accessible destinations, as well as accommodation that provides additional security such as holiday homes, on boats, in camps, and staying outdoors in nature. There are expectations from domestic tourists, who can be a driver of tourism, as well as from the cooperation with the European Association of Travel Agencies and Tour Operators (ECTAA), according to which Croatia in 2021 has the status of a selected and recommended destination," says the Minister.

She believes that a favorable epidemiological situation will be maintained in Croatia with the adherence to the measures. The tourism sector is ready to prove its responsibility and provide a safe stay this year as well. Through cooperation, knowledge, and experience, Croatia will continue to position itself as a desirable destination for foreign and domestic tourists.

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Friday 11 September 2020 - As part of the national campaign Tjedan Odmora Vrijedan (Holiday-worthy week) there will be Luxury Hotel Rooms in Dubrovnik for 50 Euros in October. We're signed up! But will others follow?

Luxury Hotel Rooms in Dubrovnik for 50 Euros in October? Idemo (let's go)! In an interview given to dnevnik.hr, assistant mayor of Dubrovnik Jelka Tepšić has confirmed that many businesses in and around Dubrovnik are prepared to sign up to the national Tjedan Odmora Vrijedan (Holiday-worthy week) initiative.

The campaign, conceived by the Croatian Ministry of Tourism, has set aside a week – well, actually just over – in which they are encouraging all within the tourism sector to offer a 50% discount. Covering two weekends, from Friday 16 October to Sunday 25th October, the offer should see some luxury hotel rooms, fabulous meals, and transport carriers offering premium products at half the price. If they sign up.

Luxury hotel rooms in Dubrovnik for 50 Euros in October sounds like a good deal. And it is. During a typical October, visitors are still enjoying the sunny streets of the Old City in Dubrovnik. A luxury hotel at that time would usually cost €200 per night. Because of this year's extraordinary circumstances, those rates are currently €113 per night. Dnevnik.hr, therefore, estimates luxury hotel rooms in Dubrovnik for 50 Euros in October.


View of the islet Lokrum from Dubrovnik © visitdubrovnik.hr

Dubrovnik is a special case within Croatian tourism. In recent years it has benefitted from its ability to extend its season beyond that which other Croatian destinations can. This is due to its world-famous attributes and excellent marketing. However, being a city linked mostly by charter flights and large cruise ships, it has suffered greater this year than destinations traditionally visited by road users. It's understandable that they would want to optimistically join the initiative.

Some in the tourism sector seem less keen on the initiative. They regard October as too late in the season for such a scheme. Their pessimism may be justified. It has been a much more difficult month to promote for places other than the special case of Dubrovnik – the sea is beginning to see a drop in temperature and in continental regions, the early mornings and evenings in October may necessitate a hoodie and long pants.

But, that's not to say that such destinations couldn't benefit from attracting, in particular, domestic visitors during the initiative week. That is if such homegrown tourists have any holidays remaining. Only time will tell just how widespread the industry will embrace the initiative, and just how beneficial it will be.

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February 8, 2020 - The first session of the Commission for the Association of Tourist Boards was held at the Ministry of Tourism to discuss the ten groups of tourist boards that applied and sought consent for the association. Porec Riviera is one of them. 

Glas Istre reports that the Commission considered the submitted request for the Porec Riviera, which includes the Tourist Board of the City of Porec, and the Tourist Board of the municipalities of Tar-Vabriga, Kastelir-Labinci, Vizinada, and Visnjan.

Namely, based on the Law on Tourist Communities and Promotion of Croatian Tourism, which was adopted in May 2019, the system of tourist boards is being restructured to encourage the association of tourist boards and their establishment in the area of more units of local or regional self-government. To this end, the Fund for Associated Tourist Boards was established, which receives funds from the paid tourist tax and membership fees.

“I am very pleased that the potentials and benefits of the association have been recognized by numerous tourist boards, which together will be able to work even better on the development of tourism products and promotional activities. Destinations in Croatia can no longer be considered as one place, tourism goes beyond administrative boundaries, so we have made legislative changes to allow the joint presentation and development of destinations that, although special in their own way, make up one whole, that is, a rounded tourist story,” said the Minister of Tourism, Gary Cappelli, at the committee meeting.

HRTurizam reported that the Committee also considered proposals for the association of the Gorski Kotar Tourist Board, which includes the towns and municipalities of Brod Moravice, Cabar, Delnice, Fuzine, Lokve, Mrkopalj, Ravnu Goru, Skrad and Vrbovsko, the Virovitica ring that encompasses the municipalities of Lukac, Spisic Bukovica and Gradina. There was also a request from the Tourist Board of the Municipality of Pitomaca and Suhopolje and the City of Virovitica, and Slavonia near the Sava, which includes tourist boards of the cities of Slavonski Brod, Nova Gradiska, Zupanja, tourist boards of the municipalities of Babina greda and Oriovac, as well as the municipalities of Bosnjaci, Cerna, Davor, Drenovci, Gornja Vrba, Gradiste, Gunja, Klakar, Oprisavci, Sikirevci, Slavonski Samac, Stara Gradiska, Stitar and Vrbje.

Furthermore, the Committee considered the submitted requests for the Tourist Board of Cres and Mali Losinj, which includes the tourist boards of the cities of Cres and Mali Losinj, the Tourist Board of the Crikvenica-Vinodol Riviera, which includes the tourist boards of the cities of Crikvenica and Novi Vinodolski, and the Tourist Board of the Vinodol municipality, and Rijeka which includes the tourist boards of the cities of Rijeka, Bakra, Kastav, Kraljevica and the tourist boards of the municipalities of Cavle, Jelenje, Kostrena and Viskovo. It also included one for the island of Pag that includes tourist boards of the cities of Novalja and Pag, and Stara Novalja, a tourist board of the municipalities of Kolan and Povljana, a tourist board of the island of Murter that includes the municipalities of Murter-Kornati and Tisno and tourist boards members of Betina and Jezera, and the Hvar Island Tourist Board, which includes the cities of Hvar and Stari Grad, and the municipalities of Jelsa, Sucuraj and the Vrboska Tourist Board.

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As Marija Crnjak/Poslovni Dnevnik writes on the 6th of September, 2019, unofficial confirmation from the Ministry of Tourism that Tourism Minister Gari Cappelli has now appointed Ivan Herak as a special advisor for the strategic tourism development plan and EU projects was recently received.

As was publised by Glas Istre, an Istrian portal on Thursday, Herak will hold office without a fee, and his appointment was preceded by the explicit consent of Prime Minister Andrej Plenković.

The engagement of Ivan Herak, who is actually the former Minister of Tourism during the mandate of the Croatian Government led by Zlatko Mateša from 1999 to 2000, is not a surprise or a shock when it comes to Gari Cappelli's team. Gari Cappelli's advisory post was initially offered to Herak way back in the spring of 2017, and only now has it apparently been properly formalised.

This marks just one of a number of Herak's engagements, the rest of which don't all have something to do with the tourism industry.

Herak appears to be a jack of all trades. He is currently a member of the board of directors of the Institute of Tourism, a professor at the Swiss School of Business in Geneva, he teaches postgraduate doctoral studies at the Faculty of Economics in Osijek and he is an advisor to the Chinese Association for SE Europe.

He has also recently been hired by the Chinese for the construction of a brand new football stadium, a camp, an academy and other business facilities that are being planned on the site adjacent to the existing Gorica Football Club stadium.

On top of all that, Herak is also the director of the Eurogate Sport Industries company which based in Zagreb. When it comes to tourism, in his public speeches, he advocated for the lowering of VAT in the tourism sector and addressing the issue of tourist land. He has also frequently warned against the extremely detrimental nature of the over-development of cruise ship tourism in Croatia.

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The City of Zadar has always been a popular destination in Dalmatia, boasting the stunning sea organ, and, as Alfred Hitchcock himself once said, the most beautiful sunsets in the entire world. Now Gari Cappelli, the Minister of Tourism, has congratulated this ancient city on its success, stating that the very people of Zadar are the ones who give it its life.

As tourists flock to Zadar from all corners of the world, with numerous airline companies having taken it upon themselves to either increase their flights to this Dalmatian gem or to introduce new lines connecting major European cities to its thriving airport, the city goes from strength to strength across the spectrum, from its entrepreneur success stories to its tourism figures. It seems that Zadar's success hasn't gone unnoticed, at least not by Gari Cappelli, who expressed his warm feelings for both the city and for the ''happy people'' who live there and make it what it is.

As eZadar/Radio Zadar writes on the 23rd of November, 2018, upon welcoming the participants of the session of the Zadar City Council on the occasion of Zadar's city day, Gari Cappelli, the long standing Croatian Minister of Tourism, stated at the beginning of his address, among other things, that Zadar is a city full of of happy people who give it life.

Gari Cappelli recalled the very welcome fact that the highly respected Lonely Planet, one of the most popular and trusted travel guides in the entire world, included Zadar in its announcement of the prestigious ''Best in Travel 2019'' guide, in its recommendations on destinations which should be visited by tourists next year.

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Click here for the original article by eZadar/Radio Zadar

Are you ready for this year's Nights of Diocletian?