August 14, 2020 - In August, Split boasts an increasing number of tourists, and since the beginning of the month, almost 160,000 overnight stays have been recorded, which is 51% of the overnight stays achieved in the same period last year.

Dalmacija Danas reports that hotel accommodation recorded 60% of last year's overnight stays, private accommodation 51% of last year's overnight stays, and the most numerous are tourists from Germany, Poland, the United Kingdom, France, and domestic tourists.

“The successful and timely response of all important actors in tourism has led to results that are favorable in the context of a global pandemic. According to the announcements of arrivals in August and the airlines' plans for flights to Split by the end of September, it is to be expected that tourist traffic will continue to grow. The continuation of the season will largely depend on the epidemiological situation for this reason through social networks, and through offline communication, we tell tourists to adhere to the prescribed measures and recommendations. In our info centers, we give them free masks. In this way, we send the message that as a destination, we care about preserving their health, but also that cooperation is extremely important to achieve a common goal. We also take care of safety when organizing events, so all events are held outdoors in compliance with epidemiological measures," said Alijana Vuksic, director of the Split Tourist Board.

August in Split continues with numerous events. Up next is the finale of Split Summer, which, in addition to the traditional Judita Award, will be enriched by the concert of Massimo and Mostar Sevdah Reunion at Sustipan. Urban Culture Revival festival - Evo Ruke! this year entertains many domestic and foreign visitors at the unique location of Split's Djardin, the theater under the stars will bring culture, laughter and fun to the Gripe Fortress, and classical music lovers can enjoy the Summer Charms of Classical Music and the seventh edition of the Piano Loop festival. The Split House of Language and Culture, the Kula Gallery, the Art Gallery, the Galic Salon and the Split Photo Club have prepared interesting exhibitions, and the Bacvice Open Air Cinema offers a diverse and exciting program for all film lovers.

This Friday, August 14, at 8 pm, the favorite event 'Roman Life' returns to tourists in an edition adapted to epidemiological measures. Domestic and foreign tourists have the opportunity to experience the ancient history of Split through Diocletian's footsteps. Every Friday, Emperor Diocletian, with a Praetorian Guard, goes out to the front of the Peristyle and takes a walk of our city.

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July 8, 2020 - The Split Tourist Board continues its #TogetherInSplit campaign with a new video.

Since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, the Split Tourist Board has sent an encouraging message to domestic and foreign tourists, but also to all those who participate in creating the Split tourist product, one of the most successful in Croatia. The new normal brings with it new rules of conduct, but also the contents that tourists seek after isolation.

"Following the trends in world tourism, it is clear that today's guests are looking for the opportunity to enjoy a vacation while respecting physical distance, and adherence to all hygienic and other epidemiological measures. Facilities that exclude large gatherings and enable experiences in nature are in demand," says Alijana Vuksic, adding that Split and its surroundings offer experiences adapted to this type of demand.

The concept of the new video, designed and realized in the small, creative team of the Split Tourist Board and the video production company FILMOFIL, led by Ante Gugic and Luka Rukavina, is also going in that direction. "This video is the result of the unity of the public and private sector, and we take this opportunity to thank all those who volunteered and showed unity in times of crisis, especially the Mestrovic Gallery, KUD Jedinstvo, Nextbike public bicycle system, travel agencies Given2Fly Adventures and Adriatic Melody, restaurant ZOI, klapa Susur, Marjan Pak and everyone who contributed to the successful realization of the video.

HNK Split actor Niksa Arcanin and young actress Dora Bogdanovic, who play a modern Emperor Diocletian and Empress Prisca, lead us through the video, and separate and explore the city from different perspectives due to different interests, discovering what the city created at the imperial palace has to offer. From the unique heritage of the old town, through walking or cycling through its streets, enjoying the beaches where there is enough space for the prescribed physical distance, Marjan views and outdoor activities just a step away from the city center. Sailing, kayaking, swimming, hiking, climbing, various sports, excursions and walks on Mosor, Kozjak, along the Zrnovnica river, and visits to museums and gastronomy ... all this is the wealth that Split can offer guests, as a complement to the heritage of which Split is most often recognized in the world, all just a step away from each other.

With an optimistic message about the reunion in Split, we present Split as a city that connects people, but especially as a city where centuries of heritage and modernity are connected, which reflects all civilizations that built it through 1700 years. Also, Split is a city where urbanity and nature are inseparable, which is connected to the whole world by the sea, and the views from Marjan and the surrounding hills are wider than all borders. With the video and the entire campaign, we say that the combination of all these dimensions makes Split truly unique, but also accessible for safe enjoyment of its beauties," concludes the Split Tourist Board.

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June 11, 2020 - On Wednesday, 560 guests were registered in Split. Alijana Vukšić, the director of the Split Tourist Board, confirmed the good news.

"These are individual arrivals, guests who are inclined to visit us. We expect a larger number next week when the opening of borders begins, i.e., air transport," said Vukšić for Dalmatinski Portal.

She stressed that private renters are the foundation of tourism, so they organized training for them to get first-hand information.

One of them was organized in cooperation with the Tourist Board of Split-Dalmatia County on the topic 'Useful information, instructions, recommendations and rules of conduct for private renters with tourists in the post-COVID-19 era'.

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All renter questions were answered by Tonči Glavina, State Secretary at the Ministry of Tourism, Luka Brčić, Deputy Mayor and Head of the Civil Protection Staff, Srđan Kušćević, Head of the Split Regional Civil Protection Office, Slobodan Marendić, Head of the Border Sector of the Split-Dalmatia Police Administration and his colleagues Paško Ugrina, Head of the Department of Prevention, Dr. Diana Nonković, Head of the Department of Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases of the Institute of Public Health and prof. Ivo Ivić, head of the Clinic for Infectious Diseases of the Clinical Hospital Center in Split.

All exhibitors agree that hygiene, disinfection and a sense of security for guests is paramount.

Brčić pointed out that there is no panic, but there is responsibility.

"Life goes on, we want tourism to develop, but we must know how to behave in the post-corona period. That is why we organized this training so that the landlords know how to act in case of guest infection, who to contact and how to proceed," stated Brčić.

Stella announced that everything from the training, to all questions about the conditions, preparation and potential situations, will be recorded and put on their pages so that all renters can be made aware.

"All in order to be the safest," underlined Joško Stella, director of the Split-Dalmatia County Tourist Board.

As for the conditions and measures, they are clear, Glavina said.

One of the main questions is whether there should be a break between receiving guests.

"There is no need to take a break and we can do it within Croatia. We have shown that we know how to fight and control," said Glavina.

The border police are also ready for the tourist season.

"A dozen countries already have an almost liberal approach, almost like before the coronavirus, and we can respond to all challenges. The border police had already shown that they know at the beginning when the borders needed to be closed so that epidemiologists could work on preventing the spread of the virus. Now we will because we are well organized," Marendić concluded, calmy.

May 5, 2020 - As part of the #TogetherInSplit campaign, the Split Tourist Board and Fabrique Pub are bringing a touch of the Sv. Duje tradition to your homes on May 7.

Namley, a mobile stage will be touring the Split neighborhoods where Marko Pecotic Peco and his band will sing Dalmatian hits. The Split Tourist Board wants all citizens at their windows and on their balconies to send a video message of community on Split's City Day. 

"The traditional Sv. Duje feast has, for many years, awakened Split citizens in a spirit of community and belonging. Even though we are physically separated, this will be a unique postcard from Split on the day of the Sudamja celebration during the pandemic, so let's all go out to our windows, balconies and show that we are a small city with a big heart. After our collective postcard, enjoy the unique concert of Peter Graso in an empty Peristyle," said the director of the Split Tourist Board, Alijana Vukšić.

"Guided by the message of the #TogetherInSplit campaign, we wanted to thank our guests and fellow citizens for their many years of support and all the moments of fun and friendship we spent at the Fabrique pub. We have gathered our co-workers and friends, and we thank them for their engagement and for showing us that we are truly together during these difficult times. Special thanks to Marko Pecotic Peco and his band, the Apodos company for providing the panoramic bus, photographer and cameraman Ranko Pupic from Studio Smile and his valuable crew who will record reactions from your balconies, and the Split Tourist Board," said Fabrique pub.

The mobile stage will depart at 6 pm from the taxi stand near the Tourist Palace on the Riva. You can find the locations on the route below:

Bačvice- Firule taxi stand- Križine bus station - Mertojak (Elekrodalmacija)- Kila- Pujanke- Kampus- Vukovarska- Kacunar- Kman- Brda- Dubrovačka- Kazalište – Skalice- Stari plac- Krom- Lazarica- Poljud- Sv. Frane.

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May 2, 2020 - Split Tourist Board director Alijana Vuksic talks about the kind of tourist activities we can expect during the corona crisis.

The coronavirus pandemic has posed a significant challenge to the whole world, and at a time when the #stayhome message is still in place, the tourism sector is particularly at stake.

On the topic of what kind of tourist activities can be expected during this crisis, Slobodna Dalmacija spoke with the director of the Split Tourist Board, Alijana Vuksic.

"In a crisis, it is first and foremost important to think strategically and positively. The situation is changing day by day, each market has a specific situation, so we follow the recommendations of competent national authorities and those globally such as UNWTO, especially monitoring the situation in our leading markets, in the UK, USA, Germany and France. Still, we also plan to focus on those markets that are the most stable in this situation," says Split Tourist Board Director Alijana Vuksic, and points out that in such crises, we must first think about changing the target markets.

"All important facts must be considered; for example, more trips will be made from destinations accessible by road, so we will directly communicate in that way. It is very important to emphasize those tourism products that are in high demand in a given situation, that is, to identify which products are. We have the advantage that Split and its surroundings is a destination that offers a full range of tourist products throughout the year.

Thus, through communication, we will emphasize those products that allow people to maintain social distance, such as sports, recreational and nautical tourism, but also health tourism, because if measured and mitigated, it is estimated that social distance could last until 2022," says Vuksic, adding that since the first day of the crisis, they have continued to communicate with their partners and tourists, via social networks and internal channels, while listening to experts' estimates of possible scenarios and tourist movements.

"I take the opportunity to announce the 'Together in Split' campaign, which, like many destinations, will inspire people with creative content to fantasize about the moment when they will be able to enjoy the beauties of our city and region again. This will send a message to tourists that we are together even though we are separated. With this campaign, in addition to the message of community with tourists, we want to primarily send a message of community to all tourism professionals in Split. We will invite employees of all our agencies, hotels, museums, travel guides to join this campaign. We aim to increase the visibility of Split through our joint efforts, primarily on social networks and communication with other digital channels, as this form of communication is now crucial. In this first phase of the campaign on our Facebook and Instagram profile VisitSplit, we have many interesting things to come, such as the 'Conference Call' section, through which our guides will tell interesting stories about Split, the 'Heritage quiz', which is a cultural knowledge quiz about Split, and interesting stories from our Welcome magazine. There are also recipes from our restaurants and hotels through the 'Cook o'clock' section and many other exciting things," the director announces.

"The fact is that the expectations from this season are very low compared to the previous year's record, only 10 to 15 percent, and according to the estimates of the Institute of Tourism, significant market stabilization will happen at the end of next year, so we will direct certain activities accordingly. Of course, I note that the situation could change day by day, so we regularly monitor changes in all markets. We will all bear the brunt of this crisis, and thus the system of tourist boards remains without revenue, but I am sure that together we will overcome this situation with the help of all measures and the Government of the Republic of Croatia, as well as the local government, or the City of Split. We are ready to do our best to bring benefits to our local community with minimal investment," says director Alijana Vuksic, and when asked if there is a chance for tourism to come to life, she says:

"Tourism is the most affected sector in the corona crisis and it will take time for the system to stabilize. This is an opportunity to build responsible and sustainable tourism based on quality offers and to channel communication messages properly. The situation we are in further emphasizes the importance of developing other branches of the economy. The chances of tourism coming to life depend solely on the epidemiological situation and adherence to the prescribed measures and instructions. As a tourist country, we are currently in a very good situation because we have strengthened the image as a health-safe destination, but it is still very uncertain as the situation can change, and it largely depends on the epidemiological picture in the main markets."

If tourists come to Split, how might it look?

"Tourism is partly possible if we all adapt properly to the situation and directions. Split also offers a range of outdoor activities that help maintain social distance, and it is precisely these contents that we will strive to present to the maximum to our local guests in the second part of the campaign. When it comes to foreign markets, we are monitoring the further development of the epidemiological situation and measures introduced at higher levels such as the "corona-passport" and accordingly, we will emphasize the specific offer through communication.

In the end, I will quote the message of our campaign that we want to emphasize encouragement, because in this situation, my team and I see an opportunity for new beginnings, new ideas and, above all, an opportunity for the community that we all often miss.

The world stopped because it was the only way to go again. The people parted, because that was the only way they could help each other.

But soon, travel will bring strength and love back into our lives, it is in human nature to move and to travel. And then, Split is here to offer you its beauty, heritage, lifestyle. We are waiting for you, we will be together again in Split," concludes the Split Tourist Board director.

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April 26, 2020 - Together in Split is a new campaign by the Split Tourist Board that will inspire tourists with quizzes, cuisine, videos, and more.

As we announced earlier this week, the Split Tourist Board launched the #TOGETHERINSPLIT campaign to communicate with a narrative and message according to the current situation - stay home, travel later.

To announce the campaign, the Tourist Board released the first video in the campaign, created by a small team of members of the Split Tourist Board, led by director Alijana Vukšić, who was asked about the campaign and its expectations for the season.

"'Together in Split' is the name of a campaign that will, through creative content, inspire people to fantasize about the moment when they will be able to enjoy the beauties of our city and region again. It sends a message to tourists that we are together even though we are separated, which is just the meaning of the name of our city.

My team and I have been planning this campaign and the right time to launch it since day one of the crisis. With this campaign, apart from the message of community to the tourists, we want to send the message of community to all tourist workers in Split. We invited all our agencies, hotels, museums, travel guides to join the campaign. We aim to increase the visibility of Split through our joint efforts, primarily on social networks and communicate with other digital channels, as this form of communication is currently crucial,” said Split Tourist Board director Alijana Vuksic. 

So, how will the new campaign evolve?

HRTurizam writes that the first phase of the campaign will run until the end of June, while in the second phase, depending on the situation, the emphasis will be on local guests.

“This is a very difficult time for all of us, but together we can turn something negative into a positive. We decided to replace our fears for our own health and the health of our loved ones, insecurity, existence and other fears with community, positive attitudes, expertise, creativity and friendship. The result is the #TogetherInSplit campaign. We invite everyone to join us in this campaign by sharing videos and creating and sharing content that we will publish on our profiles,” said Alijana Vukšić.

Thus, according to the campaign plan, every day, different content will be published on the Tourist Board's Facebook.

Namely, Mondays are reserved for a 'Heritage Quiz', through which the cultural heritage and exciting contents of the Split museums are presented. Tuesdays are for ‘Virtual Split’, showcasing videos from travel agencies to videos about Split and content that shows how to social distance while traveling (through active tourism, nautical tourism, family facilities.)

On Wednesdays, gastronomic tours and gastronomic offers of local restaurants and hotels are promoted through recipes, photos and videos in the ‘Cook O’Clock segment, while on Thursdays, the Tourist Board showcases all services keeping the city safe - like doctors, police officers, traders, and volunteers, through stories about individuals or by posting their pictures and videos (i.e.,  Red Cross workers dancing) for ‘Thank You Thursday’.

On Fridays, ‘Friday Story’ will share interesting stories about Split and its inhabitants.

On Saturdays, the ‘Conference Call’ segment will feature travel guides sharing unique stories about Split.

On Sundays, ‘Take me back to Split’ will ask followers to send their pictures from trips in Split and encourage their daydreams about coming back to Split.

Thus, the Split Tourist Board is the first of all Croatian tourist boards to launch a concrete campaign and communication during the coronavirus crisis. 

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April 21, 2020 -  The Split Tourist Board has launched a video campaign to inspire future tourists. Introducing 'Together in Split'!

We were delighted to announce a new video campaign by the Split Tourist Board, which was published on the VisitSplit Facebook page today. This video is an introduction to the #TogetherInSplit campaign created by a small team of members of the Split Tourist Board, led by director Alijan Vukšić, who was asked about the campaign and its expectations for the season.

 A press release from the Split Tourist Board director:

"'Together in Split' is the name of a campaign that will, through creative content, inspire people to fantasize about the moment when they will be able to enjoy the beauties of our city and region again. It sends a message to tourists that we are together even though we are separated, which is just the meaning of the name of our city.

My team and I have been planning this campaign and the right time to launch it since day one of the crisis. With this campaign, apart from the message of community to the tourists, we want to send the message of community to all tourist workers in Split. We invited all our agencies, hotels, museums, travel guides to join the campaign. We aim to increase the visibility of Split through our joint efforts, primarily on social networks and communicate with other digital channels, as this form of communication is currently crucial.

It is a fact that the expectations from this season are only 10% to 15% lower than the record last year, but according to the estimates of the Institute of Tourism, significant market stabilization will be at the end of next year, so we will direct certain activities accordingly. Of course, I note that day-to-day changes are possible, so we regularly monitor changes in all markets. We will all bear the brunt of this crisis and the system of tourist boards remains without income, but I am sure that together we will overcome this situation with the help of all measures and the government, as well as the local authorities, or the City of Split. We are ready to do our best to bring benefits to our local community with minimal investment.

Finally, I quote the message of our campaign that we want to send a message of encouragement because my team and I, above all, see in this situation an opportunity for new beginnings, new ideas and, above all, an opportunity for the community that we all often miss.

The world stopped because it was the only way to move forward. People parted ways because only in that way could they help one another. But soon, travel will bring strength and love back into our lives; it is in human nature to move and to travel. And then, Split is here to offer you its beauty, heritage, lifestyle. We are waiting for you, and we will be together again in Split."

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

March 2, 2020 - The Split Gast Fair was held from February 26 to 29, 2020, with a record number of visitors registered for the Jubilee 25th edition. 

Dalmatinski Portal reports that the Jubilee, 25th Split GAST Fair, which brought together almost 800 brands, exhibitors and co-exhibitors from eight countries, surpassed last year by all economic and statistical indicators, and once again, by the quality of its exhibits and rich professional program, confirmed the status of the leading regional fair that brings together all the best of gastronomy, winemaking and tourism, as well as catering and tourism companies.

GAST 2020 was held at Split's Spaladium arena from February 26 to 29, 2020 and a record 25,000 visitors locally and abroad were recorded during all four fair days to experience the professional and entertaining program dedicated to the 25th birthday. At the same time, the fair offered innumerable business opportunities, a large number of jobs completed, 12 professional programs and workshops, as well as numerous tastings and presentations. All this, as well as the interest in the professional fair program and the many accompanying events within the GAST 2020 show, in support of another successful upcoming tourist season.

The offer of white and red wines, as well as spirits, was extremely rich and high quality, and within the educational program, five different wine workshops were held to popularize autochthonous, Croatian wine varieties.

GAST was sponsored by the Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds, Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Economy, Entrepreneurship and Crafts, Croatian Chamber of Commerce, Split-Dalmatia County, City of Split, Split-Dalmatia County Tourist Board and Split Tourist Board.

The general sponsors of GAST 2020 were Rotodinamic, Premis, Samsara and Petason. Virovitica-Podravina County was a partner county, and Čistoća Split an ecological partner.

You can see the photo gallery of the event here.

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February 26, 2020 - The Split Tourist Board comments on coronavirus and its effect on tourism.  

The extent to which coronavirus will affect tourism in Split is still unknown, but as the Split Tourist Board director Alijana Vukšić revealed, the bookings are going according to plan for now. Still, they will know more after the Berlin fair, reports Dalmatinski Portal.

“The World Tourism Organization recommends that travel is not canceled and that tourist traffic is running normally,” said Vukšić.

She also said that they are being cautious and monitoring the situation day by day, but the best indicator will be the recent Berlin Fair. Everyone is waiting for the situation to develop by then.

“Given that tourism is a susceptible industry, the appearance of coronaviruses will surely be affected; we just hope it will be short-lived and that the situation will normalize quickly. A large part of our fellow citizens live solely on tourism and, therefore, we do not need to raise tensions and be too worried, but we have to be careful,” the director concluded.

A second case of coronavirus infection was confirmed in Croatia overnight. The person was in close contact with the person identified as the first case, and a third person who was in contact has initially tested negative, the head of the Fran Mihaljević hospital for infectious diseases, Alemka Markotić, said on Wednesday.

The persons infected are exhibiting mild symptoms, they receive the necessary medication and no complications are expected, Markotić told a press conference at the national civil protection headquarters.

"We have started to administer an antiviral drug that is otherwise used in HIV cases because it might be effective," she added.

Media say that the second person to contract the coronavirus in Croatia is the brother of the young man who tested positive on Tuesday. The young man works with the Ericsson Nikola Tesla company in Zagreb. Last week he had been to Milan, Italy with his girlfriend to watch a Champions League match; she tested negative.

A total of 72 people in Croatia have been tested for coronavirus so far.

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

January 4, 2020 - The Split Tourist Board announces yet another record year. 

Not surprising, Split has ended 2019 with new records. Namely, Splitski Dnevnik reports that in December, Split hosted a record-breaking 17,000 guests, up 19 percent on arrivals and with 37,800 overnights, an incredible 17 percent increase over the previous year. As many as 10,426 foreign tourists (20 percent more than last year) visited Split in the final month of 2019, confirming its attractiveness in all seasons. Among the international visitors to Split in December, most guests came from Asia and Bosnia & Herzegovina, but also Slovenia, Austria, Germany and the United States.

“Advent events, numerous exhibitions, manifestations, entertainment and cultural events and the spectacular New Year's Eve celebration, which has been the most popular in Croatia for a decade, are the reasons for visitors to Split in December, which brought excellent tourist results. We are particularly pleased with the significant increase in the number of foreign guests in Split this year, which was two thousand more than last year. Also, 6,500 Croatians chose to visit Split in the last month of the year, which is a thousand more than last year, and confirms the popularity of Split and its offer among citizens from all parts of Croatia,” said the Split Tourist Board. 

Tourist figures for the whole of 2019 in the city of Split have never been better as tourist traffic reached nearly one million arrivals (943,907) and 2.75 million overnights. With that, Split has registered a 9 percent increase in guest arrivals and overnight stays throughout 2019, which is one of the largest in Croatia at the year-round level.

The largest number of foreign guests in Split in 2019 were US citizens (105,000), followed by Britons (94,000), then the Germans, French, Australians and Italians. In 2019, 75,000 Croatian citizens chose Split as their holiday destination.

“We are particularly pleased by the fact that guests stayed in Split for an average of three days, making Split one of the most successful city-break destinations, since according to UNWTO, cities in Europe have an average stay of 2.4 days, which Split's offer exceeded,” concluded the Split Tourist Board.

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