Zadar County has decided to provide very welcome grants to micro-entrepreneurs and artisans from certain areas, including mountainous areas and the county's islands for the year 2019.

As Morski writes on the 25th of September, 2019, at the public invitation which was previously issued, 23 applications were received, of which 21 were accepted, and for which a total of 175,339.24 kuna was approved.

Mountainous areas of Zadar County include towns like Benkovac and Obrovac and the municipalities of Galovac, Gračac, Lišane Ostrovičke, Polača, Stankovci, Jasenice and Starigrad. In the category of islands, Zadar County includes all island municipalities in the area of ​​Zadar County, but also those islands within the mainland municipalities and within the City of Zadar.

''As of this year, Zadar County has been implementing a grant program for micro-entrepreneurs and craftsmen from certain areas, such mountainous areas and islands in the Zadar County area. The grants are distributed to traditional and artistic crafts (obrts), they go towards the entrepreneurship of young people and women, for startups and to co-finance the costs of entrepreneurs for the vocational training of employees for 2019.

All those who met the requirements were provided with grants, and I believe that in the coming years the number of applications will increase further,'' said Lovro Jurišić, Head of the Administrative Department for Economy, Tourism, Infrastructure and EU Funds of Zadar County.

The economy and craftsmanship of Zadar County shows positive developments when it comes to certain business indicators, such as continued export growth and a surplus in foreign trade, ad well as in the share of revenues generated on foreign markets.

''As is evident from our numerous activities, as well as from the above mentioned public invitation, in our county, we're striving to create a positive entrepreneurial climate in order to attract new investments in industry and services. Zadar County is continuing to record positive economic indicators this year, as evidenced by a significant increase in employment. During July and August, we had 62,000 employees in our county, a record figure, and what is particularly important to point out is that in just five years, the number of employees increased by almost nine thousand. This is data that encourages us and shows a positive trend in our economy,'' said Mayor Božidar Longin.

A total of 200,000 kuna was provided from the Zadar County budget for 2019 to support small businesses, and the maximum individual amount of support could amount to 10,000 kuna. That maximum amount of 10,000 kuna was received by eleven registered trades in the aforementioned areas within Zadar County.

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As Morski writes on the 13th of July, 2019, the County Port Authority of Zadar is implementing its largest projects - the construction of a ferry port in Tkon, the total value of which is over 40 million kuna, and the construction of a fishing port in Kali.

Just the third phase of ongoing construction alone is worth 30 million kuna, which is the first port infrastructure project in the Republic of Croatia that is funded from European funds through the Operational Program of Competitiveness and Cohesion.

Works at the ferry port of Tkon were visited by County Prefect Božidar Longin, accompanied by his associates and the mayors of Tkon and the island of Pašman, Goran Mušćet and Krešimir Ćosić.

Works began back in March this year, and the current belief is that it will take 29 months to complete everything. Tkon's new ferry port should, after its completion, mark a significant step forward in the quality of transport for all residents and guests of the island of Pašman, according to Božidar Longin.

With the already secured funds, an embarkation and disembarkation area will be constructed, as will a boarding area, as will a dock to enable people to get on and off the vessels, and much more content can be expected.

''This is one of the key development projects for the entire island of Pašman. With this new ferry port, we'll be able to considerably increase the standard of services which will surely be an additional contribution to the development of tourism. With good cooperation with Zadar County and the ministries of the Government of the Republic of Croatia, we'll continue this development cycle and create new preconditions for the betterment of our municipality,'' said Tkon's mayor, Goran Mušćet.

County Prefect Longin was accompanied by Marko Kolega and Krešimir Laštro, who also came to look at the works on the construction of a fishing port at Vela Lamjana bay in Kali.

''Zadar County is proudly bearing the name of the most profitable Croatian county because we're definitely the leaders of the Adriatic in both catching and raising fish. But, we always have to look towards the future, and with the aim of further improving the conditions for our fishermen, we started building this fishing infrastructure,'' said Longin.

With the help of the Ministry of Agriculture's fisheries administration, fishing ports in Vela Lamjana and Gaženica will be constructed and modernised. Works at the fishing port in Kali have already begun, and works in Gaženica should start soon. Both projects are implemented by the Port Authority of Zadar.

''Both ports will, after the construction work, provide much better service to fishermen than they do in the current situation. In this way, we're supporting the further development of fisheries, which have a long tradition in Zadar County, and are especially important to the islanders,'' emphasised Robert Škifić.

The total contract value of construction works at Lamjana port stands at 29.6 million kuna with VAT, and the works there are expected to last for eighteen months. Works at the fishing port of Gaženica should start at the end of summer and last for about a year in total. The estimated value of those works, with VAT, is 24 million kuna. 100% of the non-refundable grants have now been received, of which 75% are EU funds, and the remaining 25% has been secured from national funds.

''In parallel with these two capital projects, a new fishing and ferry port in Biograd na Moru is also being planned. In this way, over the next couple of years, we should have a complete infrastructure solution for our fisheries sector,'' concluded Longin.

To briefly recall, the works on the ferry port in Tkon and the fishing port in Kali officially began in March this year, when the ribbon was ceremonially was cut by Prime Minister Andrej Plenković.

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As Morski writes on the 29th of May, 2019, the construction of a coastal belt and the new breakwater is a new project of the Zadar County Port Administration in the ports of the Zadar region's islands which are now waiting for  the necessary construction permits, as well as to be registered as candidates for funding from the Croatian Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Transport and Infrastructure within the scope of the "Competitiveness and Cohesion 2014-2020" program.

The above project is worth a massive thirty million kuna, with the investor, the Zadar County Port Authority, accounting for 75 percent of the investment within this program. Currently, the largest port facility operation in Zadar County, the construction of a ferry port in Tkon on the island of Pašman, is funded mostly by money from the aforementioned fund, Zadarski.hr writes.

With this investment, the northern shore of the harbour or the bay in Sali will be extended and properly arranged in the length of an additional 150 metres, while the new breakwater which is also set to be constructed in Sali will be 114.5 metres in length.

The new pier will fully protect the Sali's harbour, and thus far more securely, from potentially damaging and strong southeastern winds, and the new shoreline and breakwater will provide new berths for the transit needs of Sali's local harbour within a concession held by the Sali-based communal company "Mulić".

Davor Škibola, the director of ŽLU Zadar, said that all preparations for the realisation of this project could be completed by the end of this year, and that things could be wrapped up at the time, or at the latest at the beginning of next year, when the construction of a new part of Sali's riva (waterfront) and the breakwater would finally begin.

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Click here for the original article by Zadarski.hr

A bit of ''cosmetic surgery'' for Pag's main waterfront (riva) as the reconstruction and upgrading of this heavily frequented area gives the town and the island a breath of new life.

As Novac/Jutarnji writes on the 19th of May, 2019, in approximately twenty days, the reconstruction and upgrading of the popular island's main waterfront with a small harbour in the town of Pag, ''Katina'', will finally be completed, and then that part of the coastline in Pag will be ''released'' for general use in its brand new, done up and completely revised edition.

In the reconstruction of Katina harbour, the Zadar Port Authority, with partial support from the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Transport and Infrastructure headed by Oleg Butković, and Zadar County, invested a massive 5.8 million kuna, and the necessary works were executed by the Zagreb-based company PGP.

The aforementioned works saw the deepening of the bay area in front of Katina, an important coastal wall was properly repaired and two 50 and 80 metre-long pontoons were erected, which resulted in one hundred new berths for boats, according to a report from Zadarski.hr.

At the celebration of the Day of the City of Pag which took place on Friday, the project was presented to the participants of Pag's annual celebration, including to the minister of the competent Ministry, Oleg Butković. Pag riva's new look was presented by Davor Škibola, the director of the Zadar County Port Authority which, as mentioned, was among the investors.

On this occasion, Minister Butković referred to this particular port authority as "the best in Croatia" primarily because of the number of projects it has accomplished or performed in the port areas it manages.

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Click HERE for images of Pag's brand new waterfront by night.

Although aviation in Zadar has far older roots that date back to the beginning of the 20th century, on April 19, 1969, exactly 50 years ago, the newly built Zadar Airport officially opened, reports AvioRadar on April 19, 2019. 

The opening was attended by several thousand Zadar citizens and inhabitants of Zadar County, as well as many prominent guests from the political and public life of Zadar and the state. 

“After the Adriatic Highway, the ferry connection with Italy, and the railway, we have an airport as the crown of everything. And this is a world-class airport, one of the most functional airports in the country with two tracks for takeoffs and landings regardless of the direction and strength of the wind,” the media wrote then.

Otherwise, the company “Zadar Airport” was established exactly two years earlier, on April 19, 1967, by the Resolution on Foundation adopted by the then Municipal Assembly of Zadar. The first director was Drago Strenja. 

During its first season, there were 15,508 passengers. One year later, there was a growth of 206%, and after 1972, passenger traffic was over 100,000, which was maintained until 1990. The airport’s record was 146,129 passengers in 1976, which was broken in 2008 thanks to the arrival of low-cost carrier Ryanair. 

In the 1990s, heavy days hit Croatia and also Zadar Airport, which was destroyed, robbed, and devastated. Operation Maslenica in 1993 freed the airport and restorations began slowly after by the then employees. 

Thanks to the arrival of low-cost carriers, primarily Ryanair, Zadar Airport has increased traffic tenfold. In 2018, 604,000 passengers traveled through the airport, which is four times more than the best period before the war, and 40 times more than the first season in 1969. With 700,000 passengers and a record number of airline operators and flights, 2019 will be the busiest in history. 

As one of the most important infrastructural facilities, Zadar Airport is an essential factor in connecting Northern Dalmatia and Lika with other parts of Croatia and the world. For half a century, it has contributed to the development of tourism and the general economy of the Zadar County, and continuously, year after year, achieves better results. With its location, above-average daily flights, traffic connections to the A1 and Port Gaženica, and proximity to the city centre (10 km), Zadar Airport has become an inevitable departure and arrival point of numerous guests from all over Europe and the world who have recognized Zadar and Zadar County as an attractive tourist destination. 

“Being part of the first 50 years is an extraordinary honor. The achievements of Zadar Airport are enchanting, the accomplishments of the people of Zadar Airport during the first 50 years are precious to every admiration, especially considering that today's Zadar Airport was literally raised from the ashes after the Homeland War.

On April 19, 1969, it was opened as the then Aerodrome Zadar. And in the first year, in 1969, a modest 15,508 passengers passed through the airport - and we finished last year with 604,039 passengers. Expectations for this year are over 750,000 passengers. That is the best way to continue the effort of all employees, both former and present, and participate in the creation of a better and richer Zadar and Croatia. We will continue to do so. Investments in the operational area of the airport and the plans to expand the passenger terminal building will provide an opportunity for the long-term growth of traffic that will stimulate further economic growth of Zadar. I believe in the future, I believe in success,” concluded Josip Klišmanić, Zadar Airport director. 

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As Poslovni Dnevnik writes on the 8th of April, 2019, the Cerovac caves are some of the most interesting geomorphological attractions nature has to offer in Croatia, and the caves were originally set up for visitors back in 1951.

The ''Cerovac caves'' centre of excellence deals with the sustainable management of natural heritage and karst underground, and this new tourist project should be able to get completely off the ground in two to three years, writes Večernji list.

The Cerovac cave project is being carried by the the Velebit Nature Park public institution (JUPP Velebit) and the project's partners, which include the Zagreb Speleological Association, Zadar County and the public institution for the protection of nature of Zadar County, Natura Jadera.

''The total value of the project stands at 68.5 million kuna, out of which approximately 53 million kuna of non-refundable money is being granted by EU funds, and the rest of the money, along with that of the project's partners, will be provided by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Energy and the Environmental Protection Fund,'' stated the president of the Zagreb Speleological Association and historian Stipe Tutiš, who was immediately followed by architect Roman Šilje, who went on to explain the meaning behind and the ultimate goal of the whole project.

''In southeastern Velebit, in Crnopac just above Gračac, the largest natural speleological sight in the Dinaric karst, the Cerovac caves, can be found. So far, only the ipper and lower Cerovac caves were visible and accessible, but owing to the passage of time and to the Homeland War, they remained neglected. Therefore, Croatian speleologists, as the initiators of this project, have begun with all of their other partners to return to this unique karst phenomenon and give it the importance it deserves, so, back in 2010, we started with the development of this project. Five years later, the project documentation got started, which was funded by the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund.

In October 2016, the project was submitted to the Operational Program for Competitiveness and Cohesion 2014-2020. The evaluation lasted from October 2016 to April last year, and on April the 4th, 2018, around one year ago, an agreement was signed with the Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds,'' concluded Šilje.

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As eZadar writes on the 11th of March, 2019, quite a significant number of American citizens live in Zadar and the islands belonging to Zadar County, many of these people are Americans who hold dual Croatian and US citizenship, and one of the aspects of the US Embassy's activity is to provide consular services to its citizens.

The US Embassy has recently launched an initiative called MeetUS, which aims to create a group of experts for each county that will work on extending and strengthening the activities of the US Embassy in the Republic of Croatia. Every year, a team of American and local members of staff of the US embassy will focus on one county to strengthen co-operation with local representatives of all sectors of society.

The aim of the initiative is to strengthen and maintain good relations with key stakeholders in public administration, the economy, the education sector and civil society as a whole throughout Croatia. The purpose of this particular initiative is to present the county with the US embassy staff, get better acquainted with local needs and find ways to cooperate further.

On Tuesday, March the 12th, 2019 Meeting with the Director of the Zadar Tourist Board, Mr. Mari Palek and the staff will be held in the premises of the Zadar Tourist Board at 10:30.

The US embassy staff who will come to Zadar County for an informal, working visit are:

Anja Picelj-Kosak - Media Specialist
Mirjana Pribanić - Budget Analyst
Darby Carter - GSO EPAP Officer
Željko Medić - Visa Assistant

In the light of the upcoming tourist season, and especially given the increased Croatian marketing activity on the American broadcasting market and the knowledge of booking by hoteliers and travel agencies, one of the topics to be tackled is the increasing number of American tourists arriving in Zadar and the wider Zadar County.

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The sun and the sea are no longer the main motives for tourists to coming to Zadar and Zadar County, according to a survey conducted in 2018 by tourists using low-cost airlines to the area, reports HRTurizam on February 18, 2018. 

The most significant results of the research were presented in Zadar County's Grand Hall to representatives of tourist communities, local self-government units, HGK - Zadar County Chamber, National Park Krka and tourism sector employees.

The research was conducted by the Department of Tourism and Communication Sciences of the University of Zadar at Zadar Airport's outbound terminal from June to November 2018. The sample was taken of 866 respondents aged 18 and over who stayed at least two overnights in Zadar County.

"The research results show that tourists of low-cost air carriers behave according to tourist trends, since they do not only stay in Zadar and Zadar County, but are extremely mobile, and therefore visit all of Croatia, especially Dalmatia and protected areas such as national and nature parks,” said Tomislav Klarin of the Department of Tourism and Communication Sciences of the University of Zadar.

Also, their arrival is inspired by various motives, among which the sun and the sea are no longer dominant, but tourists want new experiences and experiences through gastronomy, culture and entertainment, sports, recreational and health facilities, and staying in preserved nature. This is also reflected in the content they used, or through increasingly complex requirements for specific content in the destination.

When booking accommodation and researching information about the destination, the tourists surveyed said that they significantly use Internet services, including online booking services, travel websites and social networks. They collect a lot of information from their relatives and friends, and they would recommend Zadar and Zadar County as a destination to their relatives and friends.

“Their satisfaction arises from the results of the survey, as it can be concluded that the respondents are mostly satisfied with what Zadar and Zadar County provide them. It should be emphasized that there are still elements of the offer that should be continuously upgraded. We are happy that the consumption per person, per day, amounted to 97 euro, which is above-average for consumption in Croatia,” said the County's deputy for the economy, tourism, infrastructure, and EU funds Lovro Jurišić.

The research results outline the profile, behavior, and satisfaction of tourists using low-cost airlines to Zadar and Zadar County.

Tourists surveyed come mainly from Great Britain, Germany, and France, as well as other European countries, which are conditioned by the established low-cost airlines, while respondents are mostly younger, which is in line with the typical travelers using this type of transport.

You can see the survey here.

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