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INVESTMENTS

Rovinj: Monte Mulini – a luxury hotel at one with nature

In March, the renowned Istrian tourist destination Rovinj, considered to be one of the most romantic Croatian towns, will expand its offer with its first five-star exclusive boutique hotel – Monte Mulini. The 109-room and 10-suite hotel is in line with the highest standards in luxury hospitality, be it on account of its design, top quality staff or its exceptionally varied culinary and wine selection. The hotel was designed by the world-famous architecture studio WATG, which put special focus on integrating it into its unique surroundings – the protected Zlatni Rt forest park. Making the most of the natural lighting, the sea-view hotel allows guests to revel in Rovinj’s unique atmosphere. Every detail was considered when designing the hotel, including the movement of shades and shadows throughout the seasons. The colour-palette of the interior, with golden, white, purple and violet shades predominating, creates a classical atmosphere of timeless values. Particularly special attention was given to the culinary selection. The hotel owner, the Rovinj-based hotel management company Maistra, does not shy away from its ambition to turn the hotel, open year-round, into a centre of Croatian gastronomy. It should also be mentioned that the wine list boasts 560 different wines on it.

The Istrian County Tourist Board
www.istra.hr
The Town of Rovinj Tourist Board
www.tzgrovinj.hr

Dubrovnik: the soon-to-be-opened Valamar Lacroma Resort

In May of this year, the four-star Valamar Lacroma Resort will be opened. This is the biggest conference and spa hotel in Dubrovnik and is already a member of the international “Special Hotels of the World” association, which gathers around one hundred of the world’s best four-star hotels. The owner – the hotel management company Valamar, and owner of tourism facilities in Poreč, Rabac, Dubrovnik, Pula and on the Island of Krk – has invested around HRK 250 million in the Valamar Lacroma Resort. The hotel is made up of 400 comfortable and luxurious rooms and suites. Its facilities are especially tailored to the demands of conference tourism, featuring a multifunctional 900-square-metre conference hall that can accommodate up to a thousand people. The hall can be split into three separate areas and is accompanied by seven smaller halls, a spacious lobby and an exhibition area. The Valamar Lacroma Resort, open year-round, will also feature a luxurious wellness area, spread over a thousand square meters, and other hospitality facilities to suit the needs of businessmen and those other guests who choose to enjoy their holidays in the delightful surroundings and exceptionally beautiful atmosphere of the world-famous City of Dubrovnik.

The Dubrovnik-Neretva County Tourist Board
www.visitdubrovnik.hr
The City of Dubrovnik Tourist Board
www.tzdubrovnik.hr
Valamar
www.valamar.com

Split: new hotels meet the increasing demand for accommodation

The City of Split, a tourist destination attracting more and more visitors with the beauty of Diocletian’s Palace (Dioklecijanova Palača), a UNESCO world heritage site, and other tourism and cultural facilities, will considerably increase its hotel capacity this year, with more than 1,200 new beds. Soon, the five-star Hotel Marjan, with a capacity of 500 beds, and the four-star Hotel Split, with a capacity of 543 beds, will be opened. In the very centre of the city, in Zvonimir Street, a 60-bed hotel is being built, and the Hotel Consul will double its capacity, from 37 to 74 beds. The increased hotel capacity aims to meet the increasing demand for accommodation in Split, a city that has, in the last couple of years, transformed from being a transit port to a tourist destination. Alongside significant cultural and historical monuments, Split is attracting an increasing number of tourists due to a large number of interesting business and tourist events. Outside Split, the five-star Hotel President will open in Solin, featuring 91 rooms and a wide range of facilities. In Podgora, to the south of Split, Hotel Sirena is being renovated. Visitors coming to central Dalmatia can also expect to see the results of many other investments in tourist facilities, such as beaches, bicycle trails and promenades.

The Split-Dalmatia County Tourist Board
www.dalmatia.hr
The City of Split Tourist Board
www.visitsplit.com

TRANSPORT

Dubrovnik – connected by air with 39 European cities
In 2009, Dubrovnik will see new air connections to ten cities: Helsinki, Poznan, Warsaw, Southampton, Leeds, Belfast, Liverpool, Geneva, Berlin and Milan. Thus, this prominent tourist destination, proclaimed one of the most beautiful cities in the world in many prestigious surveys, will in total be connected to 39 European cities by air. In addition to the national Croatia Airlines, regular air connections to Dubrovnik are offered by 23 other airlines, including an increasing number of low-budget airlines. As far as investments in infrastructure are concerned, it should be noted that a new 19 thousand square-meter public parking garage, an investment of 18 million Euros, was opened at the beginning of the year. The four-storey garage offers 711 parking spaces and will greatly reduce summer gridlocks. Also, the first phase of the public lighting project in the historical centre, city walls and contact zones has been completed. The investment is a joint project managed by the City of Dubrovnik and the Association for the preservation of Dubrovnik’s historical heritage (Društvo prijatelja dubrovačke starine) and is worth HRK 23 million. It represents a key contribution to the beauty of Dubrovnik, allowing visitors to further enjoy this unique city in the most southern part of Croatia.

The Dubrovnik-Neretva County Tourist Board
www.visitdubrovnik.hr
The City of Dubrovnik Tourist Board
www.tzdubrovnik.hr
Dubrovnik Airport
www.airport-dubrovnik.hr

Zadar: new air connections with Stockholm and Edinburgh

Beginning on April 1st, the City of Zadar will be connected by air with Stockholm. Ryanair will offer flights twice a week, on Wednesdays and Saturdays, until October 24th. In January, Ryanair also announced a new air connection between Zadar and Edinburgh, which will also begin its operations on April 1st. Ryanair already connects Zadar with London and Dublin.

The Zadar County Tourist Board
www.zadar.hr
The City of Zadar Tourist Board
www.tzzadar.hr
Zadar Airport
www.zadar-airport.hr

Zagreb: seasonal flights from Madrid

Beginning on July 4th, the Spanish airline Iberia will introduce two weekly flights between Madrid and Zagreb. These seasonal flights will greatly contribute to the movement of tourists between the two countries. Iberia will also continue with its seasonal flights connecting Madrid and Dubrovnik three times a week. Over the last couple of years, the movement of tourists between the two countries has greatly increased. The number of Spanish visitors to Croatia jumped 10 % last year, with 13 % more overnight stays.

The City of Zagreb Tourist Board
www.zagreb-touristinfo.hr
The Croatian National Tourist Board
www.croatia.hr
Iberia
www.iberia.com


CROATIA IN THE WORLD

Looking forward to Easter: Easter eggs – an original tourist invite

When on the squares of Budapest, Madrid, Klagenfurt and Bratislava, you see large Easter eggs painted in the style of the Croatian school of naïve painting, you will receive a unique invitation to come and visit. The Easter eggs represent a project that has been organised by the Koprivnica-Križevci County Tourist Board that has been supported by the Croatian National Tourist Board. They are 1.5 meters by 1.5 meters in size, made out of polyester and are particularly attractive due to the paintings that are on them. Four eggs will be painted by the Association of Hlebine painters and sculptors and the visual art association ‘Podravka 72’, and two eggs will be painted by painters from the Molve art group. All the paintings will be made in the naïve genre, a recognizable and unique art form that is indigenous to Koprivnica-Križevci County, and the town of Hlebine, where the Museum of Naïve Art is located.

The Koprivnica-Križevci County Tourist Board
www.tz-koprivnicko-krizevacka.hr

The Observer: spend a holiday in Croatia and enjoy its food and nightlife

The eminent British weekly Observer has written a feature about European destinations where visitors can have a great time and, at the same time, save money during this time of global recession. Some Croatian destinations have made the selection, presented as alternatives to more well-known, but in reality less attractive, destinations. The journalist Annabelle Thorpe highly recommends spending a family summer vacation on the Island of Korčula, the great food and wine in Istria and the superb nightlife of Zadar. The Observer claims that Zadar has one of the most contemporary club scenes in Europe, and argues that its summer atmosphere is even better than that of Ibiza.

The Croatian National Tourist Board
www.croatia.hr
The Observer
www.observer.com

ADAC: the highest quality awards go to Umag and Zaton

The ADAC automobile club has presented Umag’s campsite with the ‘SuperPlatz’ award for its extraordinary accomplishments in camping. Umag has thus joined the Zaton campsite, which has already been given the same award. These awards are all the more impressive when one considers that ADAC rates 5,400 camping sites in 34 countries, which are inspected by 30 experts. In its 2009 Camping Caravanning guide, Croatia is represented by 103 reviewed sites, one more than in 2008, and two un-reviewed sites. ADAC notes significant improvements in 24 campsites, recognizing investments in the quality and the improved campsite facilities. The ADAC inspectors have awarded six sites with the label for extraordinary maintenance and the condition of the site: Umag, Valalta, Poljana, Nevio, Adriatic and Mungos. The label for the extraordinary maintenance of the sanitary system was given to 11 campsites: Pila, Straško, Zaton, Kozarica, Jezera Lovišća, Kanun, Vira, Nevio, Adriatic, Solitudo and Monika.
The ADAC award for extraordinary accomplishments in the last year was given to 10 campsites: Kanegra, Stella Maris, Finida, Umag, Solaris, Poljana, Zaton, Vira and two new sites – Lanterna in Poreč and Nevio in Orebić. This year, Croatia has been featured in the ADAC rest camp guide (ADAC Stellplatz Fuehrer 2009) for the very first time. Croatia is represented by altogether 13 rest campsites (regular, small and parking plots for campers), 6 in Istria, four in Dalmatia, one in Kvarner and two in the Korenica region.

Croatian Camping Union
www.camping.hr
The Croatian National Tourist Board
www.croatia.hr

Rovinj: Polari campsite listed in the Alan Rogers Guide

The Istrian campsite Polari, located in the well-known tourist destination of Rovinj, is the only Croatian campsite to receive an award from the British Alan Rogers Guides. Competing with the best campsites, Polari has received the Seaside Award as recognition for its extraordinary location and high quality offer. The Alan Rogers Guide has been in existence for 40 years and is considered to be the most objective authority on campsites. In its rankings, the Guide has reviewed 2000 sites throughout Europe. Polari campsite has 1,650 individual plots and can hold up to 4,900 people. It has an exceptionally rich selection of hospitality and recreational facilities, a beach that has the international ‘Blue Flag’ award, and is famous for its high-quality service and beautiful surroundings.

The Istrian County Tourist Board
www.istra.hr
Croatian Camping Union
www.camping.hr
The Town of Rovinj Tourist Bord
www.tzgrovinj.hr

Campsites: listings in the Dutch ANWB Campinggids guidebook

In its 2009 edition, the Dutch ANWB Campinggids campsite guidebook features 82 Croatian campsites, 75 of which it has reviewed. 6 campsites received special recognition from ANWB: Konobe, Pila i Kovačine (in the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County), Adriatic (in the Šibenik-Knin County), and Zaton and Rio (in the Zadar County). The following campsites have received the best average rating: Lanterna, Solaris, Ulika, Orsera, Politin, Bijela Uvala, Veštar, Pineta, Kovačine, Zaton i Kanegra. The Dutch are third in the number of campers. Last year alone, the number of Dutch campers rose by almost 20%, in comparison to 2007. It does not come as much of a surprise then that the guide states that Croatian campsites have greatly improved the quality of their services, such as their sanitary systems and horticulture. The guide also points out that many campsites have expanded what they have on offer with wellness services.

Croatian Camping Union
www.camping.hr
The Croatian National Tourist Board
www.croatia.hr


Zadar: Zaton campsite one of the best elite European camps

Camp Holiday Village and Resort Zaton, owned by the Turisthotel Zadar hotel management company and located in the tourist destination of Nin near Zadar, has become a member the Düsseldorf-based association of elite campsites ‘The Leading Campings in Europe’. Zaton is the first ever Croatian campsite to be part of the association. It covers over 30 hectares, has 1500 individual plots, and is located in the close proximity of a sandy beach, which has the international ‘Blue Flag’ award. The campsite’s facilities are in accordance with the highest international standards and partly adjusted for the disabled. It is located in a pine forest, surrounded by Mediterranean greenery and offers a wide variety of sport, recreational, entertainment and hospitality facilities. Pets are allowed in the campsite and on certain areas of the beach. Zaton has, thanks to the high quality of its services and facilities, received many other international awards, such as the ‘Superplatz’ recognition, before becoming a ‘Leading Campings’ member. This membership will give the camp a competitive edge in its marketing, as it will now be included on major internet portals, in brochures that have a circulation of millions and in the most prominent camping magazines. Tourists visiting these camps enjoy a variety of privileges, including the LeadingCard loyalty program that has 18,500 members. To celebrate Zaton campsites membership in this prestigious association, a ceremony and press conference will take place in May, attended by dozens of journalists from the most prominent camping magazines in the world. The press conference will be led by the President of Leading Camping Armando Ballarin.

Croatian Camping Union
www.camping.hr
The Zadar County Tourist Board
www.zadar.hr
The Town of Nin Tourist Board
www.nin.hr
Holiday Village Resort Zaton
www.zaton.hr

Rabac: Hotel Valamar Bellevue given an award by a Czech tour-operator

For the second year in a row, Hotel Valamar Bellevue in Rabac, operating within the tourist group Valamar, has been given an award for its first-class services in 2008 by the Czech tour-operator Vitkovice Tours. The competition was tough as 300 hotels from Croatia and Montenegro were competing for the 14 awards. The awards are based on the assessments of customers and experts. Rabac is an increasingly popular destination with Czech visitors. Last year, 12,000 Czech tourists stayed in Valamar tourist facilities, 8% more than the year before and 13% more than 2006. Hotel Valamar Bellevue was renovated in 2007, and it earned its fourth star thanks to the new design and improved offer. In 2007, it received an award from the Friuli-Venezia-Giulia automobile club as the best host during the automobile races. As one of the best hotels in the Valamar Group, Valamar Bellevue also received the internal Valamar award for the greatest progress made in 2008.


The Istrian County Tourist Board
www.istra.hr
The Town of Labin Tourist Board
www.rabac-labin.com
Valamar
www.valamar.hr



INTRODUCING

Slavonia and Baranja: more and more tourists, better and better offer

The French cruise operator CroisiEurope has for the first time included tourist destinations from Slavonia in its offer. This region in the east of Croatia is becoming increasingly popular with European tourists. CroisiEurope has 27 cruise ships, 26 of which cruise along rivers. The inclusion of Croatian destinations was the occasion for a recent three-day presentation, held by the French tour-operator, in co-operation with Brod-Posavina County, Vukovar-Srijem County and Osijek-Baranja County. During the presentation, business partners enjoyed the unique sounds of the tamburica, the region’s wine and culinary offer, as well as an animated living history program about the fortress at Slavonski Brod. The program is already fully booked for June, which is a testimony to its appeal and the result of the increased efforts to promote the region. During 2008, promotional activities for tourist projects in the region surrounding the River Drava have come a long way. Their success can be seen in the increasing number of tourists visiting Ilok, the number one destination in the region. Last year, this number doubled. Among them, the most numerous visitors were cycle tourists from Central and Western Europe travelling along the Danube cycle route. Visitors are offered an increasing number of facilities and activities, such as organized trips or bicycle and kayak rentals. Another project involves a tour guide in costume, welcoming guests with stories about baroque Vukovar. Alongside continuous investments in the infrastructure, the accommodation capacities and hospitality offer of the region is being improved. Tourists from around the world are attracted more and more by the exceptional natural beauty and rich culinary and wine selection of Slavonia and Baranja. CroisiEurope’s catalogue also includes Đakovo with its world-famous stables, which can be visited as part of an organized trip. A number of tourists who cruise the Danube stay in one of the many family-operated farms in Baranja and Aljmaš, enjoying sights such as the baroque fortress or the Secession Street in Osijek. A trip to the region is not complete if one does not visit the nature park Kopački rit on a boat cruise or walking along one of the many paths. One can also visit the castle Tikveš, accompanied by expert guides.

The Croatian National Tourist Board
www.croatia.hr
The Vukovar-Srijem County Tourist Board
www.tzvsz.hr
The Osijek-Baranja County Tourist Board
www.tzosbarzup.hr
The Brod-Posavina County Tourist Board
www.bpz.hr

Rijeka: the Grand Hotel Bonavia for business guests

Every other guest staying at the Grand Hotel Bonavia in the City of Rijeka is visiting on business. Last year, the number of conference tourists in Rijeka jumped by 30 percent compared to 2007, and the revenues from visitors on business and their activities make up as much as 70 percent of all tourism revenues. On average, business visitors stay for 2.5 days, but they spend a great deal more than the average guest who is on vacation. This high percentage of guests who come on business is testimony that Rijeka and the entire Kvarner region are becoming increasingly dynamic business centres. It is also a reflection of Bonavia tailoring its services to the demands of the contemporary business guest. Bonavia has recently been granted the “business&meeting” label, a guarantee that it meets all the demands of business guests, such as the necessary facilities and equipment. Grand Hotel Bonavia, operating under the ‘Jadranski luksuzni hoteli’ hotel group, is a four-star hotel with a tradition of more than 130 years. It is made up of 114 luxuriously arranged rooms, six suites and one presidential suite. It features three multi-purpose conference-halls, a wellness area and a fitness centre.

The Primorje-Gorski Kotar County Tourist Board
www.kvarner.hr
The City of Rijeka Tourist Board
www.tz-rijeka.hr
Grand Hotel Bonavia
www.bonavia.hr



The Island of Galešnjak: a heart-shaped island that is attracting more and more guests

Even though one can hear the most stories about matters of the heart on Valentine’s Day, the tiny Island of Galešnjak – according to many, the most heart-shaped island in the world – enjoys perennial world fame on account of its shape. Its shape has been discovered by Google Earth, only to attract the attention of CNN and other world networks and magazines. To mark the occasion of the TV feature, an island trek was organized. Given the increased interest of tourists to visit the island and its symbolic shape, it seems that a bright future awaits it as far as tourism is concerned. The Croatian “island of love” is located between the City of Zadar and the Island of Pašman. It is 1,545 meters in perimeter and has a surface area of 132,475 meters. Its highest peak is 34 meters. The island is privately owned and uninhabited. It has been used for a very long time by farmers and fishermen as safe place during storms.

The Zadar County Tourist Board
www.zadar.hr

The Island of Rab: commemorating an important anniversary

No matter when you choose to visit the Island of Rab, you will feel its jubilant atmosphere. This year, the island, especially the City of Rab, will celebrate 120 years of organized tourism. It will be most jubilant on May 16th, a date recorded in the history books of Rab as the inauguration of tourism. The jubilant spirit of this wooded and, in many ways unique island in Kvarner will have a special atmosphere and be an occasion for a series of special events and performances, to commemorate its 120th anniversary. The main event will be the ceremonial session, attended by the heads of the island’s tourist boards, local government departments, the biggest company Imperial and others. The event will be an occasion to present the historical records of the Island, and to hold expert conferences on the history and current state of the island’s tourism. Events will also be held throughout the year and visitors will be able to enjoy a number of cultural, entertainment and sporting events. A number of investments have been announced for this year, also contributing to the celebration of the anniversary and the future of tourism on Rab. The hotels Padova and Carolina will be renovated and up-graded to the four-star category. The auto-camp Padova will increase it capacity, and small family-run hotels Tamaris, Barbat and Pio will open their doors. Hotel Lopar will also be completely renovated and will expand its offer with a conference hall.

The Primorje-Gorski kotar County Tourist Board
www.kvarner.hr
The City of Rab Tourist Board
www.tzg-rab.hr

Nin: Šokol – an indigenous salt cured meat product

From January till mid July, the town of Nin Tourist Board will organize a culinary, ecological and entertainment event devoted to protecting and fostering the production of ‘šokol’ – a unique salt cured meat product made out of pork. After the meat has spent three to seven days in pure sea salt, it is put in cooked wine and spices. Then, it is smoked for a couple of days and exposed to the winds during the winter storms. Locals claim that it is precisely this wind from the mountains that has a pleasant herb aroma that is responsible for the unique taste of this delicacy from the north-western part of the Zadar County. The original recipe is ancient, and every family has its own secret ingredients, passed on from generation to generation. Households or restaurants that do not have šokol on offer are, therefore, a rarity. It is this tradition that the event in Nin, called “šokolijada”, focuses on. The event was first held in 2003, and follows the entire procedure of how šokol is prepared, culminating in July with the central culinary event. After a very pleasant duty – to taste all the šokols that have been made – a panel of judges declare who is the best šokol-producer. The entire event is accompanied by entertaining and interesting events, attracting tourists not only with what can be seen in Nin, but also with the unique taste of šokol, an indigenous salt cured meat product that cannot be eaten anywhere but here.

The Zadar County Tourist Board
www.zadar.hr
The Town of Nin Tourist Board
www.nin.hr