ZAGREB, April 24, 2019 - A new passenger terminal at Zadar's Gaženica Port was opened on Wednesday on Zadar County Day.

After President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović officially opened the new terminal, Zadar County Prefect Božidar Longin said that the port project was something that generations of Zadar citizens had dreamt of.

Longin recalled that tourism was the strongest economic branch in the county and that several other local sectors would profit from the port, such as agriculture, crafts, enterprise and retail outlets.

"That will be particularly visible after Zadar becomes a home port for cruise ships that will sail around the world. Considering that the situation in the county regarding road and maritime infrastructure is excellent, we now need to encourage investments to modernise the railway and expand Zadar Airport, which is a project that we are working on seriously and thoroughly. We are currently implementing infrastructure and economic projects in the county valued at almost 1.5 billion kuna," he underscored, adding that last year the number of employed people grew by close to 5% to reach 60,000, for the first time since the county was established.

He said that quality fishing infrastructure was being built on the island of Ugljan and that work on a fishing port in Gaženica was expected to start soon. The total value of those two projects amounts to HRK 60 million.

Stephen Xuereb, Executive Director of Global Ports Holding, the concessionaire of the Gaženica Port, said that Zadar was an important addition to the company's network of cruise ports in the Mediterranean, following Venice and Montenegro, and that it would complete its services on the cruise port market.

The new Gaženica passenger terminal is one of the most modern cruise port terminals in the Mediterranean. It is a two-storey building that spreads across 20,000 square metres and provides all the relevant services for domestic and international transport. The construction of the terminal, which began in 2016, cost 27 million euro.

Global Ports Holding Plc signed a 20-year concession agreement between its wholly owned operating subsidiary Zadar International Port Operations d.o.o. and the Port Authority of Zadar for the operating rights of the Gaženica cruise port.

The concession includes cruise ship passenger port and terminal services, an international ferry terminal, Ro-Ro services, and vehicles and passenger services, Global Ports Holding says on its website.

More Zadar news can be found in the Lifestyle section.

April 24, 2019 - The latest news from around Croatia’s airports for new flights to Croatia with updates from Zadar and Zagreb airports. 

Just how close are we to a real digital Croatia? The answer is unclear and as varied as ever, but some Croatian cities have shown promise with some rather impressive and encouraging results.

As Novac/Gradonacelnik.hr writes on the 23rd of April, 2019, although more and more cities are gradually digitising their business and investing in smart city solutions, and some of the most advanced have almost completely switched to doing solely digital business, generally speaking, Croatian cities are only in the very early stages of the much needed digital transition, just as Croatia is, as a country, at the very bottom in Europe in terms of the digital readiness of general society and the economy.

As the methodology for ranking cities in terms of digital readiness is only at its very beginning even at the European level, stories and analysis of the "smart city" concept development here in Croatia are still very much based on individual experiences, examples and projects.

That is why, in order to gain a real elementary insight into the digitalisation of Croatia's services and the communication of the country's many city administrations with citizens, experts from Apsolon, a consulting company specialising in digital business development, has undertaken the very first major study of the ''digital readiness'' of twenty of the largest cities across Croatia. This study, according to project manager and smart management director at Apsolon, Ivana Novoselec, is the basis for the further development of research tools and methodology that will track the development and progress of Croatia's cities on an annual basis.

In its study, Apsolon divided the cities into three categories - large (Zagreb, Split, Rijeka, Osijek), middle (Zadar, Velika Gorica, Slavonski Brod, Pula and Karlovac) and smaller cities (Sisak, Varaždin, Šibenik, Dubrovnik, Bjelovar, Kaštela, Samobor, Vinkovci, Koprivnica, Đakovo, Vukovar.)

The digital readiness index at Apsolon was set based on several criteria - the availability of e-services (the number of administrative services and their digitalisation rate in Croatia), the availability of site service information and the development of unified services for making payments in the city, then came the availability of city data, the level of citizen participation in decision making and communication channels between the city administration and citizens, ie, the availability of data and time in which citizens receive answers to their various questions. At this stage, Apsolon hasn't entered into the internal processes in Croatia's city administrations, but rather focused on what services are offered to the city's citizens and how long such things typically take.

After this type of indexing and ranking, the title of the ''digitisation champion'' among the Croatian cities was awarded to the City of Rijeka, thus confirming its status as the best city in the Smart City category which it won last year. Apsolon pointed out that the City of Rijeka has achieved the greatest advances in the systematic raising of the quality of its services, but also the opening of data and communication channels to citizens.

"Rijeka as the most advanced city in Croatia in terms of digitisation and is characterised in particular by the emphasis on openness and communication with its citizens. Its administration is oriented towards clear communication (a very clear centralised e-services approach with well-organised access to all automated services and available forms), openness and participatory management," said project manager Ivana Novoselac.

In many categories, especially those relating to the functional aspects of digitisation (advanced digital services, e-citizen connectivity, etc.), Rijeka is followed closely by the City of Zagreb.

The city of Pula is the most advanced middle-size city in Croatia, which also presents its services and available information to its citizens in a systematic and very detailed way, raising standards in terms of transparency and interaction with citizens, and is certainly a champion among cities with between 50.000 and 100.000 inhabitants.

In relation to the criteria relating to specific functional and technological solutions, Karlovac, Velika Gorica and Zadar follow. For the City of Karlovac the large number of available administrative procedures on its website and responses to citizens' inquiries are generally quick made it stand out from the crowd.

Among the small cities in Croatia, there is no distinctly dominant digital champion, but according to research findings in different aspects of digitisation, Dubrovnik, Samobor, Sisak, Koprivnica and Varaždin appear to be the most successful ones, according to this research. Among the prominent representatives of this category, Dubrovnik is strategically trying to profile as Smart City and has a high quality City Card, e-Visitor platform, is very active on social networks and it continuing to develop innovative application solutions. When it comes to the number of digitally available services, Koprivnica ranks above all.

Samobor, which is particularly active on social networks and is the category winner for social networking, has a very comprehensive and interactive website which separates the site accordingly and has adjusted all of the information for citizens and for visitors, as well as separating foreign visitors from domestic ones.

It should also be noted that Bjelovar is extremely proactive in the field of the digitalisation of its administration, it is working on applicative transparency solutions as well as on internal digitalisation processes. What is particularly commendable is Bjelovar's focus on the digitalisation of its internal processes.

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Click here for the original article by Novac/Jutarnji/Gradonacelnik.hr

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. 

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

April 22, 2019 - Putting Croatian adventure tourism on the map, with the biggest welcome in the world. Day 29 of this incredible 2011 adrenaline trip covering 2,500 km along the Croatian coast. 

The World's Biggest Welcome, an ambitious adventure tourism project in 2011 in Croatia enters Day 29 of this 2019 appreciation of one of the finest tourism promotion projects ever in Croatia.  

The plan? To showcase the diversity and fabulous offer of adventure tourism in Croatia by following a GPS route the length of the Croatian coast in the shape of the word 'Welcome' - thereby creating the biggest welcome in the world from a hospitable tourism country. 

Day 29 moved from Zadar to Sali by kayak and on foot. 

27 kilometres for the day: 6 km from Zadar to Kali by kayak, followed by 3 km on foot from Kali to Ugljan Plaža, before another 18 km kayak ride from Ugljan Plaža to Sali to continue forming the ‘C’ in ‘Welcome’.

Day 29 started on the Zadar Riva. 

Where Lacko also got to spend time with his nephew, Petar. 

The media even came out to see Lacko off to his next destination. 

Lacko making his way to Preko. 

And then towards the island of Veli Iz from a bay next to a hospital on the island of Ugljan.

At Ugljan before departure towards Veli Iz.

Aldo from Veli Iz picked up the crew on his fishing boat.

Lacko speeding away. 

Lacko arriving at Veli Iz. 

Where they were greeted with palamida fish on the grill. 

With full bellies, they set off towards Sali.

Lacko was greeted in Sali with a beer. 

A colorful town.

With a famous library. 

A key part of the project was promoting tourism, and the official website has details of the key places visited during the day. 

Zadar.

Kali.

Sali.

You can see the entire project on the Welcome website, as well as much more of Luka Tambaca's stunning photography on the Welcome Facebook page. 

Tune in tomorrow for Day 30, as Lacko moves from Sali to Kurba Vela on foot and kayak. 

To follow the whole project from the start, follow the dedicated TCN page. 

April 21, 2019 - Putting Croatian adventure tourism on the map, with the biggest welcome in the world. Day 28 of this incredible 2011 adrenaline trip covering 2,500 km along the Croatian coast. 

The World's Biggest Welcome, an ambitious adventure tourism project in 2011 in Croatia enters Day 28 of this 2019 appreciation of one of the finest tourism promotion projects ever in Croatia.  

The plan? To showcase the diversity and fabulous offer of adventure tourism in Croatia by following a GPS route the length of the Croatian coast in the shape of the word 'Welcome' - thereby creating the biggest welcome in the world from a hospitable tourism country. 

Day 28 moved from NP Paklenica to Zadar by kayak and bike.

35 kilometres for the day: 10 km from Starigrad Paklenica to Ražanac by kayak, followed by a 25 km bike ride from Ražanac to Zadar to continue forming the ‘C’ in ‘Welcome’.

Day 28 began with  Lacko setting off towards Razanac.

With stunning views of the Maslenica bridge and new bridge. 

Arrival in Razanac.

Lacko rowing from Starigrad with Sveto brdo and Anica kuk in the background.

Lacko in Razanc.

And taking a break until his bike is ready. 

Lacko pedaling towards Nin.

"The border between Arizona and New Mexico," Lacko wrote. 

A channel near Nin.

Church of the Holy Cross in Nin.

And another church - Church of St. Nicholas in Prahulje near Nin.

Arrival in Zadar and tourists in front of the Church of St. Donatus.

Greetings to the Sun. 

And to end, Lacko riding on the Riva. 

A key part of the project was promoting tourism, and the official website has details of the key places visited during the day. 

Zadar.

Razanac.

You can see the entire project on the Welcome website, as well as much more of Luka Tambaca's stunning photography on the Welcome Facebook page. 

Tune in tomorrow for Day 29 as Lacko moves from Zadar to Sali on foot and kayak. 

To follow the whole project from the start, follow the dedicated TCN page. 

A seagull tried to make an octopus his dinner, but the octopus wasn't in the mood. This unusual footage from NP Kornati showcases the struggle between bird and would-be prey.

Along Croatia's coast or on its many islands, you're likely to witness battles and very loud ''arguments'' by street cats wanting to get hold of the last fish, or maybe even witness seagulls falling out with each other, what you don't often see however is a showdown between a seagull and his ''almost dinner'', an octopus who simply had no plans to be a meal that day.

As Morski writes on the 18th of April, 2019, after some rather surprising footage from far away in Australia, where a seagull's attempt to make a grumpy octopus a meal turned very sour for the opportunistic sea bird indeed, another almost identical scene has been caught on camera, but this time much closer to home, right here in Croatia, from the beautiful NP Kornati in the Zadar region.

The video was initially taken back in October 2018, and author of the video and witness to this rather bizarre fight, Jure Jerat, says the rather unlucky seagull managed to come out of the fight a little bit better off than the Australian seagull did when he attempted the same ''assault'' on an octopus that just wasn't having it.

While we by no means endorse any type of blood sport here at TCN, this does make for interesting viewing, it certainly isn't something you see on a daily basis and it's difficult to say who we'd put our money on! Have a look for yourself and see who comes out on top in this extremely unusual argument between two very different species at Croatia's beautiful NP Kornati.

Make sure to follow our dedicated lifestyle page for much more.

ZAGREB, April 17, 2019 - About one hundred new government-funded (POS) flats will be built in the Zadar suburb of Crvene Kuće over the next two years and an agreement to that effect was signed on Wednesday.

The agreement and preliminary agreement on mutual rights and obligations were signed in Zadar by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Construction and Physical Planning Predrag Štromar, State Assets Minister Goran Marić, State Real Estate Agency (APN) Director Slavko Čukelj and Zadar Mayor Branko Dukić.

Štromar said that to date 492 POS flats have been built in Zadar county, 436 of which are located in the town proper and that in addition 121 families have solved their housing problem through subsidised housing loans.

"Young families need lower prices per square metre, primarily in tourist destinations where housing prices have increased drastically and where it is more difficult to meet housing needs. This programme in fact will make that possible at significantly more favourable conditions than on the market," Štromar said.

He added that interest rates for POS flats would be reduced from 3% to 2% per annum.

Štromar said that so far 8,276 POS flats have been built in Croatia with 4 billion kuna invested in them and that the plan is to build one thousand new POS flats by 2020.

More Zadar news can be found in the Lifestyle section.

In the upcoming summer flight schedule, which is from March 31 to October 27, 81 new routes will operate to Croatian airports, including regular, low-cost and charter lines, from 24 world markets, reports Dalmatinski Portal on April 15, 2019. 

Additionally, the first week of the summer flight began with a record 252 flights, which displayed a 30 percent increase compared to the first week of the summer flight schedule last year. Most of the flights in the first week were recorded at the airports in Zagreb, Split, and Dubrovnik.

“New airlines and increasing the number of rotations are, among other things, the result of the activities of the Croatian Tourist Board. We collaborate with airline companies through strategic promotional campaigns in important markets, aiming to position Croatia as an attractive and well-connected year-round destination. We are particularly pleased with the new intercontinental line between Philadelphia and Dubrovnik, which joins Croatia and the United States market for the first time in 30 years,” said Croatian Tourist Board director Kristjan Staničić, adding that this year he has strategic marketing partnerships with tour operators and over 40 million kuna was provided to airlines.

Looking at the markets, most of the new lines, or 14 of them, are from German cities, followed by 12 new lines from the UK market, 8 lines from France, 5 lines from Italy, and 4 lines from the Netherlands. Analyzing the summer flight schedule by the number of rotations, most rotations are planned between Croatia and Germany, the UK, France, Austria, and Switzerland. Most new lines will fly to airports in Zadar, Split, Dubrovnik, Pula, and Rijeka. Most Croatian airports this year also recorded an increase in the number of rotations when looking at the previous season, and according to the absolute number of new rotations, the Zadar airport has a 25 percent increase, while Pula follows with a 7 percent increase and Dubrovnik with 4 percent.

When looking at airlines, most new routes were launched by Ryanair, namely 15 of them, followed by eight new lines from Volotea, six new lines from TUI and five new easyJet lines.

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

Something new is set to take to the placid waves of the Adriatic sea this summer as the Dalmatian city of Zadar and the city that flows - Rijeka in Kvarner, are set to be connected by catamaran.

As Morski writes on the 2nd of April, 2019, as of the 15th of June this year, the G&V Line Iadera will begin running a brand new daily line that will connect Rijeka and Zadar, joining Krk (Krk), Rab (Lopar) and Pag (Novalja) seasonally.

This is a new and unique line from G&V Line Iadera, which will connect Dalmatia and Kvarner by sea, enabling a person to arrive to Zadar from Rijeka (or vice versa) in only four hours, according to a report from eZadar.

190 kuna is the one-way maximum price, and the fastest ship, Melita, with its capacity of 180 passengers and an indoor air-conditioned salon will depart from Rijeka on 08:15 and from Zadar at 16:15.

The total journey time between the two coastal Croatian cities is four hours, and passengers can enjoy travelling in air-conditioned indoor areas with comfortable seating.

The line will run from June the 15th to September the 15th, and ticket sales online will soon begin.

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Click here for the original article by eZadar