Many Polish Tourists Return Home with Rescued Croatian Street Cats
September the 16th, 2022 - Many Polish visitors to this country's coastline are heading home not with just a magnet, keyring or 'I Love Croatia' shirt, but with Croatian street cats they have adopted and decided to give forever homes to.
As Morski writes, it seems that while some find it impossible to resist purchasing a 'Hrvatska' mug that will struggle to survive the dishwasher, others can't get enough of the cats. Many people can't ignore a hungry street cat's sad eyes, so they return home with transporters containing cats from Dalmatia and Istria. This is especially the case with Polish tourists.
Polish national Katarzyna is one such cat foster parent. She contacted the Facebook group Chorwacja (Croatia) and asked for advice from other Poles who had come to Croatia during summer. Although many in that group exchange advice and experiences about different cities, towns and localities that should be visited, this girl asked a question about transporting rescued Croatian street cats. During the two weeks she spent here, one fluffy, four-legged and wide-eyed cat kept her company, and Katazyna decided she couldn't leave her, and that they'd return home to Poland together.
On Facebook, she received about 200 comments with instructions from other Polish nationals, who have experience with transporting their own or "new" animals they have acquired. In the European Union, you can travel with your pets without any particular difficulties. It's usually enough that the animal has a passport, which means that a veterinarian has microchipped the animal. Others shared their experiences.
''I was driving home with three little kittens. The vet gave us passports, he couldn't microchip them because they were too small, and it was too early for any vaccines. I just treated them against fleas and other parasites and that was it. Nobody checked them at the border anyway,'' wrote Kamila.
However, there are also some people who faced stricter controls when arriving at the border.
''They checked the dog's passport when we entered Croatia and again when we left it. On the way back, our dog barked at the policeman and he found it funny,'' Anna wrote.
In addition to a series of advice and support, Katazyna also heard a series of conflicting opinions. While some think that Croatian street cats are happy and at home where they are, which veterinarians and animal lovers claim is absolutely not the case, others agree that they need our help and to be given proper treatment, food and homes.
Polish society is slowly but surely changing. More and more people support shelters for abandoned animals and get their pets from there. They often organise various actions and pay large sums of money to help shelters and animals, and many are pet owners and animal lovers. Moreover, the OLX website, which is a bit like the Polish version of Croatia's much loved Njuskalo, organises a campaign to feed animals living in shelters. They place pictures of the dogs and cats instead of some items for sale, and every day one click enables the delivery of food for certain animals, writes Jutarnji list.
For more, make sure to check out our dedicated lifestyle section.
20% More Polish Tourists in Croatia in Summer 2021 Than Summer 2019
August the 4th, 2021 - When it comes to Polish tourists in Croatia, it's almost as if the ongoing global coronavirus pandemic doesn't exist, with the number of Polish tourists in Croatia as surprising and encouraging as it was even last year.
As Poslovni Dnevnik/Marija Crnjak writes, the growth of the Polish emitting market when it comes to tourism, which has been recorded in Croatia for several years now, hasn't been halted by the ongoing pandemic. In July this year alone there were as many as 20 percent more Polish tourists in Croatia than there were recorded back during the record 2019 summer before the pandemic.
Polish tourists in Croatia surprised us all with their sheer numbers last year as well, when the tourist season was significantly weaker than this. The Polish market was practically the only emitting market that, despite the epidemiological situation back in August 2020, recorded an increase in arrivals of 4 percent when compared to August 2019. The share of turnover from the Polish emitting market in July and August reached as much as 95 percent of the pre-pandemic year of 2019's impressive figures.
After the figures on the 33 percent increase in overnight stays realised in the current part of the peak season at the level of the entire Republic of Croatia were published, the Dubrovnik-Neretva County tourist board reported an increase in tourist arrivals of as much as 90 percent on Monday. The extreme south of the country, which had the biggest drop last year due to issues with air traffic, recorded 65 percent more overnight stays in July than last year.
Instead of the Brits and Americans, who have been the most numerous guests in Dubrovnik for years now, the most overnight stays so far this summer season were realised by guests from Poland, Slovenia, the rest of Croatia, Germany, neighbouring Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Czech Republic.
Almost 207 thousand overnight stays realised by Polish tourists in Croatia, more specifically in that southern Dalmatian county, is an increase of almost 40 percent when compared to the record year of 2019. It also represents 30 percent more overnight stays realised when compared to the pre-pandemic year of 2019.
As the British market was officially closed in regard to tourism until the middle of the month, Dubrovnik-Neretva County had only 12 percent of overnight stays from that traditionally very secure Northern European market during the month of July, but direct flights with the United States introduced this summer helped bring US traffic to almost 70 percent of 2019's number of overnight stays.
This year, as many as nine times more American guests arrived in Dubrovnik-Neretva County than last year, and there also twice as many Poles, who thus became the most numerous guests in Dubrovnik.
At the level of the whole of Croatia, according to currently unofficial figures, e-Visitor counted 347,346 arrivals of Polish tourists who realised a total of 2.42 million overnight stays, which is not only 50 percent more overnight stays than last year, but a growth of 20 percent compared to to the last normal season of 2019.
For more, make sure to check out our dedicated travel section.
New Edition of Polish National Geographic Traveler Dedicated to Croatia
May 25, 2021 - The new issue of the Polish National Geographic Traveler magazine is entirely dedicated to Croatia as a tourist destination.
HRTurizam reports, the new issue, "Croatia - 23 journeys of life," brings texts, photos, and useful information of Polish journalists and travel writers who wrote about the beauties and peculiarities of Croatian destinations on 116 pages.
"A special issue of the magazine is already on sale, so many Poles will have an additional opportunity to get to know Croatia even better, which is positioned in this market as one of the favorite foreign tourist destinations. Excellent pictures and tempting texts will be an additional inspiration for Poles to visit Croatian destinations this year," said Agnieszka Puszczewicz, Director of the CNTB Representation in Poland.
A special edition of the National Geographic Traveler represents all Croatian regions and thematically includes numerous attractions that Croatia offers in its tourist offer.
Ideas for an ideal vacation can be found by lovers of adrenaline and active holidays and lovers of enjoying the sun and the sea and the untouched nature of Croatian national parks. You can find ideas for city break holidays like Zagreb, Split, or Dubrovnik in the magazine.
The journalistic-editorial team that prepared the special issue about Croatia included the editor-in-chief of National Geographic Poland and National Geographic Traveler Poland Agnieszka Załęska-Franus. "A lot of Poles adore Croatia, as is evident by the fact that Croatia has been one of their favorite summer destinations for years. This is how the idea was created to dedicate a special issue of the magazine completely to Croatia and its beauties, small and large cities, delicious cuisine, excellent wines, and beautiful nature," Załęska-Franus pointed out, thanking for the professional cooperation, engagement, and help in creating a magazine's special issue.
Poland is one of the most important markets for Croatian tourism, which last year took a high third place in terms of tourist traffic. Last year, Polish tourists accounted for about 4.6 million overnight stays, and a strong contribution from this market is expected this year.
For more on travel in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.
To read more about Croatia in your own language, CLICK HERE.
Polish Journalists Learn to Make Zagorje Štrukli And Samobor Kremšnite!
April 1, 2021 - In cooperation with the Polish gastronomic magazine KukBuk, the Croatian National Tourist Board prepared a virtual gastronomic workshop called "Croatia, full of flavor" in Poland where journalists prepared Zagorje štrukli and Samobor kremšnite!
As the Croatian National Tourist Board reports, a virtual gastronomic workshop included 25 prominent Polish journalists. Among the distinguished guests were representatives of the largest Polish state television TVP, the largest private television TVN, editor in chief National Geographic and National Geographic Traveler, leading editors of travel magazines such as the most read WaszaTurystyk and the portals Onet.pl, Wp.pl and Fly4Free.pl, bloggers CroLove and famous Polish gastro bloggers Krytyka Kulinarna and MintaEats.
Credits: Croatian National Tourist Board
‘"Thanks to new technologies, we were able to connect with different parts of Poland at the same time and in an innovative and interesting way to promote Croatia as a destination with a rich and diverse gastronomic offer. Our guests were very happy with the idea of cooking together, and the workshop resulted in an even better knowledge of Croatia, always full of extraordinary flavors. Everyone is eagerly awaiting the summer and we hope that with the calming of the epidemiological situation, a large number of Poles will spend their summer vacation in Croatia," said the director of the CNTB Representation in Poland, Agnieszka Puszczewicz.
Due to the current pandemic situation, prominent Polish journalists prepared traditional Croatian specialties in their private kitchens, and the day before they received all the necessary ingredients to mix Zagorje štrukli and Samobor kremšnite with their own hands. Journalists reported their work on social networks with the hashtag in Polish #ChorwacjaPełnaSmaku, which means #CroatiaFullOFlavor. TCN reported about the Samobor kremšnite being awarded the status of Intangible Cultural Good in the following article.
"This is another great promotional move for our dear Poles. All journalists who virtually participated in the workshop and cooked in their home environment under the direction of the great chef Cristina Catese prepared excellent Zagorje štruklji and Samobor kremnšite. I am sure that the Poles will and this year to come to Croatia in large numbers, and we will be ready with all the necessary health measures to ensure a safe and comfortable stay as last year," said Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia to Poland Tomislav Vidosevic, who together with Agnieszka Puszczewicz participated in a gastronomic workshop and prepared Croatian specialties at the Bii Farm.
In a relaxed atmosphere, they also discussed Croatia's plans for this year's season and the current Safe Stay in Croatia project, which promotes Croatia on the Polish market as a safe and desirable destination.
To read more about travel, follow TCN's dedicated page.
Time To Reflect, As Loyalty Not Luxury Saves 2020 Croatia Tourist Season
September 28, 2020 – The tail end of 2020's unparalleled summer offers opportunity for pause, contemplation and appreciation, as it's loyal and not luxury guests that have saved this year's Croatia tourist season.
In this day and age, things always have to get better. There's no room to sit still. Life without improvement is deemed a failure. Nowhere is this more true than the Croatia tourist season.
The numbers of overnight stays in the Croatia tourist season sometimes seem to be the only measure by which its success is judged. Year after year, the numbers must rise. Any decrease is unthinkable. At the same time, hungry eyes still want more. Some want to reposition themselves. A new class of guest is wanted, from faraway nations. They must be of a better quality. They must stay longer, in more expensive dwellings. They must spend more.
Incredible initiatives are undertaken to turn this want into a reality. But, at the end of the 2020 Croatia tourist season, perhaps it's time to pause and reflect. For this year, it is undoubtedly loyalty and not luxury that's saved the Croatia tourist season.
In the year the coronavirus pandemic hit, arrivals by charter plane and cruise ship were seriously curtailed. So much for the flying visits of premium guests from far-flung lands. Instead, the tourists who came were from much closer to Croatia.
The English language that most on the coast are so familiar with was this year useless. On the beaches of Istria and northern Dalmatia, it was Slovenian, Polish, Czech, German, Slovakian and Italian that was heard. The packed bars of Makarska echoed with the familiar call of 'Đe si, bolan?' (where are you, bro? - in Bosnian dialect). Many of those who came drove to Croatia. And many do so every year.
© Jeremy Segrott
Sighs and light-hearted jokes about some of these guests persist in some places. “That family come every year, but they only ever order one pizza to share between the four of them.” The choice of footwear of some German-speaking and Czech visitors frequently draws chuckles, in particular, the classic sock and sandal combo. But, just where would the 2020 Croatia tourist season have been without the 60,000 Czech and Slovak visitors who this year arrived by train?
Just two days ago, Jutarnji reported on phenomenal numbers of Polish visitors this year. Would anyone else really have taken the place of the returning family of four sharing a pizza? Just what would the season in Makarska have looked like without bolan?
Croatians are famously very appreciative hosts. On the ground, there's no doubt that such loyal guests are warmly welcomed and thanked each year by accommodation renters, restaurateurs and others. They greet returning visitors with smiles of familiarity and reserve for them their favourite place. In September 2020, gratitude to such guests was echoed by The Croatian National Tourist Board as they launched a new campaign 'Thank you', directed at the tourists who this year chose Croatia.
Perhaps it is time to ensure that this gratitude extends into any grand new initiatives for growth in the Croatia tourist season? Such loyal guests should not be taken for granted, nor forgotten.
Initiative within the Croatia tourist sector is vital. The unlocking of continental Croatia's potential is simply a must. That too of the Dalmatian hinterland and inland Istria. The exploitation of world-class Croatian assets such as nature, agriculture and health and wellness services are also perfectly on-point. The desire to attract a better class of bigger-spending visitor to luxury holidays on the Croatian coast should surely be a lower priority. After all, eyes that covet can all too frequently fail to appreciate that for which they should already be thankful.
© Oddman47
Lead image adapted from an original photograph by © Marco Verch
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
Polish Ambassador Thanks Croatia For Efforts To Find Missing Hiker
August 22, 2020 – Polish Ambassador Andrzej Edward Jasionowski writes in heartfelt gratitude on behalf of the Polish Republic and its people. Addressed to Interior Minister Davor Božinović, the letter sincerely thanks Croatia, HGSS, the police, army and volunteers for their tireless search.
The Polish Ambassador, Andrzej Edward Jasionowski, has sent an official letter of gratitude to Croatia for the sustained efforts in trying to find a missing hiker. The document was sent to Croatian Interior Minister Davor Božinović but clearly it is addressed to members of HGSS, the Croatian police, army, air force and the country's volunteers who manned the search.
Letter sent by the Polish Ambassador
In the letter, Polish Ambassador Mr Jasionowski details his inability to address individually every member of the vast search party, who scored the mountain range around Biokovo for his missing countryman. In sending the letter to the head of the Ministry for the Interior, he clearly wishes the sincere thanks to be passed on to all those involved in the action.
Polish Ambassador Mr Jasionowski also acknowledges, on behalf of the Polish nation, his awareness of the cost of such an extensive search. 600 people including members from 15 stations of HGSS (the Croatian Mountain Rescue Service) from across Croatia, mountain rescuers from Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Croatian army, the Croatian police, members of mountaineering associations and many volunteers were involved in the search. Croatia allocated €160,000 for helicopter flights and the aerial search alone. Volunteers were assisted on the search by tracking dogs and drones, which took thousands of photos.
39-year-old Polish national Lukasz Dariusz went missing while hiking on Biokovo on Friday 31 July 2020. Unfortunately, he still remains missing.
Polish Ambassador to Croatia Mr. Andrzej Edward Jasionowski, pictured with Mrs. Katarina Grabar-Kitarović in 2018 © Polish Embassy Zagreb
More Polish Tourists Holidaying in Croatia This Year Than 2019
In the first five days of August, more than 3.9 million overnight stays were realised by Polish tourists in Croatia, which is almost 70 percent of last year's result achieved in the very same period.
As Poslovni Dnevnik/Marija Crnjak writes on the 6th of August, 2020, about 65,000 arrivals and almost 380,000 overnight stays from the Polish market have been made so far in August, which is a 4 percent increase in traffic in arrivals and 10 percent in overnight stays realised by Polish tourists when compared to the same period last year. Even for such a small sample of a mere 5 summer days, the data is almost unbelievable for this year, in which all markets around the world are declining as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
"After an excellent July, we expect even better tourist results in August. Namely, in addition to the Polish market, where the turnover has also increased, we've excellent results in August from the markets of Germany and Slovenia, where we recorded about 96 percent of last year's turnover in the same period. These results confirm that our country is perceived as a safe and quality tourist destination, and it's up to all of us to respond by behaving and adhering to all of the prescribed epidemiological measures and maintain that status,'' said the director of the Croatian Tourist Board, Kristjan Stanicic, adding that from the Czech market, Croatia achieved almost 80 percent of last year's result in the first five days of this month, and from the Austrian market - more than 60 percent.
The Croatian National Tourist Board (HTZ) pointed out that recently the national Polish television TVP dedicated its edition of the most watched morning show in Poland entirely to Croatia as a tourist destination. It is a show called "Pytanie na śniadanie" which, according to the Nielsen Audience Measurement, is watched by about 485 thousand Polish viewers every day for three hours. The show about Croatia presented natural beauty, cultural heritage and eno-gastronomic offer of the country, and the guest on the show was Agnieszka Puszczewicz, the director of the CNTB Representation in Poland.
"Visiting the show was a great opportunity to present different motives for the arrival of Polish tourists to Croatia in front of a large number of viewers. We mustn't forget that Croatia is one of the favourite summer destinations of Poles to which they're always happy to return. I believe that the Polish market will have a strong share in the overall results of Croatian tourism during this very challenging year as well,'' concluded Puszczewicz.
For more, follow our travel page.
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
