On Tuesday, March 23, the “Touristička palača” sales place will be reopened near Split, at the address Obala Lazareta 3. The sales hours will be as follows:
The internationally renowned wine media brand Decanter is entering the Croatian market for the first time with a licensed premium publication, marking a significant milestone for wine culture and specialist publishing in the region.
The first Croatian edition of the bookazine Decanter Presents: A Guide for Wine and Travel Lovers is scheduled for release at the end of March and will be published entirely in the Croatian language.
Decanter, considered one of the most influential voices in the global wine industry since the 1970s, is best known for its expert wine analysis, authoritative reviews and in-depth reporting from leading wine regions worldwide. Alongside its monthly magazine, Decanter produces special bookazines that offer curated, long-form editorial content focused on wine culture, destinations and global trends.
(Photo credit: Future/Decanter)
Until now, Decanter bookazines have been available only through selected international channels. Croatia has become one of the first markets in Southeast Europe to receive a licensed local edition.
The Croatian edition will be published in print format and distributed not only in Croatia, but also in Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro, extending its reach across the wider region.
The publication is aimed at wine professionals as well as a broader audience of consumers interested in high-quality wine content, wine tourism and premium travel experiences. Editorial coverage will include both global and Croatian wine regions, established and emerging destinations, grape varieties and best practices within the wine industry.
The project brings together Decanter’s international experts, experienced wine journalists and respected commentators on global wine trends, with Croatian journalists contributing to the locally produced content.
Dijana Grgić, publisher and owner of the Croatian licence, described the launch as a major step forward for the regional wine scene.
“This is an important moment for Croatian wine culture. A licensed Decanter bookazine, distributed across five Southeast European markets, opens the door to new trends in wine and travel while strengthening wine education and awareness in the region. I believe Croatian readers will recognise its value and find inspiration both for choosing wines and planning future journeys,” said Grgić, who is also known as the founder and editor of VinumIN magazine.
The first Croatian edition of Decanter Presents: A Guide for Wine and Travel Lovers will be priced at €15 and available from March at selected kiosks, specialist wine shops and via subscription. More
The maritime landscape of southern Dalmatia is currently undergoing significant changes. As the summer season of 2026 approaches, a sophisticated new transport link is being implemented to improve transitions between the historic city of Dubrovnik and the pristine wilderness of the Adriatic islands.
The Krilo Shipping Company is spearheading this development, with a primary focus on improving accessibility to Mljet National Park—a destination that has traditionally required meticulous logistical planning for international travellers.
The initiation of this high-speed maritime service was officially confirmed during a recent strategic tourism assembly held within the stone walls of Dubrovnik. It was announced that the new route is designed to bridge the gap between the urban bustle of the mainland and the tranquil ecosystems of the islands. Starting May 1, the service will provide a direct artery to Pomena, which serves as the primary gateway for those wishing to explore the verdant landscapes of Mljet.
By implementing this route, a more cohesive
travel network is being established across the southern Adriatic. Not only is the connection to Mljet being prioritized, but the voyage is also being extended to include the island of Korčula. This extension ensures that a broader regional connectivity is achieved, allowing for a more fluid movement of tourists between these high-profile destinations. The strategic timing of the launch coincides with the traditional commencement of the peak travel period, ensuring that infrastructure is prepared for the influx of global visitors.
For many years, the logistics of visiting Mljet National Park from Dubrovnik were characterized by complex schedules and limited transit options. However, with the introduction of the KSC Naranča, a vessel boasting a capacity of 250 passengers, these challenges are being addressed. The vessel has been specifically assigned to this route to accommodate the rising demand for efficient, high-speed water transport.
Daily operations are scheduled to commence with a morning departure from Dubrovnik’s harbour at 10:30 a.m. This timing is intentionally calibrated to allow for a leisurely morning in the city before the journey to the island begins. A return service from Pomena is scheduled for the late afternoon, ensuring that a comprehensive same-day excursion can be enjoyed by those with limited time. By offering this reliable window of travel, the pressure on local accommodation in the more secluded park areas is expected to be alleviated, as the viability of day trips is significantly enhanced.
Mljet National Park is widely recognized as one of the most significant protected environments in the Mediterranean. It is celebrated for its unique saltwater lakes—Maliko and Veliko Jezero—along with its dense pine forests and the 12th-century Benedictine monastery situated on the Isle of Saint Mary. Despite its allure, the park has often been perceived as a “difficult” destination due to its remote nature.
With the new ferry line, the “hidden” nature of Mljet is being preserved while its accessibility is improved. It is anticipated by local tourism officials that the visitor experience will be greatly enhanced through this streamlined transport. The goal is not merely to increase the volume of tourists but to improve the quality of their transit. When transport is made straightforward, visitors are allowed more time to immerse themselves in the natural silence and ecological wonders of the park rather than navigating the stresses of transit delays.
The introduction of this high-speed line is part of a much larger strategic vision held by Croatian authorities. For several years, Dubrovnik has faced the challenges of “over-tourism”, particularly within its UNESCO-listed Old Town. Efforts are being made to distribute the flow of visitors more evenly across the wider region, encouraging exploration beyond the city’s historic ramparts.
By strengthening the links to surrounding islands like Mljet and Korčula, the concentration of foot traffic in the city centre is being effectively reduced. Visitors are being incentivized to explore the southern Adriatic archipelago, thereby promoting the economic sustainability of smaller island communities. The regional connectivity afforded by the Dubrovnik-Pomena-Korčula line is a cornerstone of this initiative, fostering a culture of island-hopping that showcases the diverse beauty of the Croatian coast.
As the launch date of May 1 approaches, administrative preparations for the new line have already been completed. Tickets are now available through digital platforms, allowing travellers to book their trip well in advance of their arrival in Croatia. This digital-first approach to booking is expected to reduce the long lines seen at port ticket offices during the peak summer season.
The investment in KSC Naranča is part of a larger effort to modernise Croatia’s fleet. To meet the expectations of modern travellers, vessels that are faster, more comfortable, and have more capacity are being prioritised. As the southern Adriatic grows in popularity, these maritime improvements are critical to maintaining the region’s reputation as a world-class more
Despite ongoing global conflicts and growing geopolitical uncertainty, early tourism bookings for Croatia are proving to be unexpectedly strong, offering cautious optimism for the upcoming season.
More than 200 tourism professionals gathered in the coastal town of Vodice this week for the traditional meeting of Croatian travel agencies, where the key challenges facing the sector were discussed, including the impact of wars, current booking trends and expectations for the 2026 tourism season.
While instability in parts of the world continues to create uncertainty across the travel industry, Croatian agencies say reservations are holding up better than expected, HRT said.
Strong demand for domestic holidays and short trips
Travel agencies report a slight increase in interest for domestic holidays this year, particularly for summer vacations within Croatia.
At the same time, demand is strong for shorter breaks, including Easter and May Day trips.
Weekend travel remains especially popular, with bus tours and short European flights leading the way. Industry professionals also note a growing trend towards last-minute bookings.
“People are increasingly waiting until the last moment, especially when it comes to traditional holiday travel, which is currently our main focus,” said Ivana Stankić Jakić, a director at a Croatian travel agency.
Hotels report a positive start to 2026
Early indicators from the hotel sector are also encouraging.
Some hoteliers have reported a significant increase in overnight stays during the first months of the year. One hotel in Vodice recorded a nearly 20% rise in overnight stays in the first three months of 2026 compared with the same period last year.
Bookings for the peak summer months of June, July and August are also showing improvement.
“We are very satisfied with the start of this business year. Bookings for the main summer months are stronger,” said hotel director Darko Bastić.
According to Kristijan Staničić, director of the Croatian National Tourist Board, booking levels across the sector currently remain stable following discussions with major hotel groups.
Global tensions still pose challenges
Despite the positive outlook, the tourism industry remains cautious.
Travel agencies and tourism stakeholders say the global situation, including the war in the Middle East, continues to create uncertainty that could influence travel behaviour.
However, the conflict has not yet affected cruise arrivals to Dubrovnik, one of Croatia’s key tourism hubs.
Industry leaders stress the importance of maintaining reasonable pricing despite global tensions.
Tomislav Fain, president of the Association of Croatian Travel Agencies (UHPA), warned tourism businesses not to increase prices unnecessarily in response to geopolitical developments. More
by croatiaweek
Located on the western part of Korčula island, Marina Korkyra is a yachting haven and a perfect starting point for exploring the enchanting archipelagos of South Dalmatia.
As Index/Slobodan Mufic writes, the ongoing conflict in the Middle East has brought a lot of uncertainty to the whole European tourism sector.
Any escalation and instability encourages tourists to be cautious, because tourism and travel primarily depend on the perception of peace and security. However, judging by what the Nordic media has been publishing in recent days, Croatia will suffer the least damage in the upcoming season. It might even cash in.
The Norwegian commercial television TV 2 has reported on data from the travel search engine FINN Reise and writes that interest in trips to Dubai has fallen by almost 80% in the last ten days. Interest in Cyprus is 47% weaker, and Greece has even suffered a blow, with interest falling by 26%. Searches for holiday offers in Turkey are also 48% down. It is quite understandable that Norwegians have more or less totally lost interest in travelling to anywhere even close to an active war zone.
“Geopolitical circumstances are affecting Norwegians’ summer holiday plans. Tourists’ attention is being diverted to other areas. Spain and Greece continue to enjoy the highest traffic, but the big winners this summer will be Italy and Croatia,” Nora Vigen Stabell, a spokesperson for the aforementioned search engine, told TV2.no, adding that the two countries are considered to be exceptionally safe destinations. This speaks volumes about just how Norwegian media is publicising Croatia and tourism this year, and it’s particularly important given the fact that Scandinavian tourists are known to have deeper pockets on average.
The article, illustrated with a glossy photo of Rovinj and captioned “The idyllic Istria peninsula in Croatia is one of the many places Norwegians want to go this summer,” further states that flights by traditional airlines such as SAS will become more expensive due to rising fuel prices. They added that this is an opportunity for low-cost companies such as Ryanair and EasyJet to offer much more competitive travel options.
Tourism analysts recommend paying for tourist trips as early as possible and point out that fuel accounts for close to a third of all airline operating costs. The text also states that Norwegian travellers traditionally plan and book summer breaks around Easter, and do so about two weeks in advance.
Closing the airspace and disrupting traffic at Middle Eastern airports such as Dubai and Doha is not in anyone’s interest, as it will make travel to Southeast Asia far more difficult and expensive. Mediterranean destinations could still profit as many Europeans will forgo long-distance travel and stay within their own continent.
Croatia could quite easily take advantage of this, provided it isn’t perceived as an overpriced destination. In a text from a few days ago, the Danish portal B.T. pointed out immediately that Croatia is the favourite tourist destination of many Danes, but added that recently “another Balkan nation has attracted interest”.
According to the TUI agency, the number of travel reservations to neighbouring Montenegro increased by as much as 91% compared to last year. There’s a similar level of interest among Danish tourists in nearby Albania. “The younger generation of Danes wants a travel experience during which they don’t know in advance exactly what to expect. They therefore like to travel more and more often to destinations that are somewhat less known,” writes B.T.
The Finns are also not enthusiastic about travelling to countries close to the conflict zone, such as Turkey and Cyprus, and have started to cancel reservations to a significant extent, writes the tabloid Iltalehti. Travel agencies Tjäreborg and TUI are also recording an increase in interest in Croatia, Albania and Montenegro, and Greece and the Spanish resorts of Alicante and Mallorca are also traditionally doing well.
It should be noted that in 2025, Nordic markets accounted for only about 3% of all tourist overnight stays recorded in Croatia. In total, about 600,000 people arrived in the country from Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland, who realised approximately 3.2 million overnight stays. According to data from the Croatian National Tourist Board for 2025, the most arrivals were recorded from Germany (3.1 million), Slovenia (1.7 million), Austria (1.6 million) and Poland (1.2 million).
However, the increased interest of Nordic tourists in visiting Croatia may be a very good indicator of the general situation as far as tourism is concerned in major markets. Nordic guests in Croatia are also among the above-average consumers. According to some research, they spend about 50% more than the average of all tourists, mostly on food and drinks, excursions and all kinds of additional activities. More
By Lauren Simmonds Total CROATIA
In the Californian town of Folsom, you will find a giant bronze pick erected in memory of Johnny Cash, Irish blues legend Rory Gallagher has his stylized guitar in Cork, and from today, Vela Luka is also richer for a tribute to the Croatian music legend in the form of an art installation.
Oliver’s newly erected glasses, by which he was recognizable at the beginning of his career, can be seen while walking along the waterfront, right at the place from where he left by boat to go fishing.
If your path takes you to the iconic Raybanica, stop and look towards the islet of Ošjak and the bay, and at least briefly, observe Vela Luka through Oliver’s eyes. Take a few photos as a memento, because that’s why they’re there, and if you scan the QR code with your mobile phone, you can also find out some information about the Croatian music legend.
Feel free to share the photos you take on social media, using the hashtag #teksadvidim, so that the sculpture can serve as a virtual postcard of Oliver’s area.
You can find out more about the sculpture here, where its project author, artist and designer Saša Prižmić, tells us more about the installation and its meaning.
Source: https://punkufer.dnevnik.hr/ (Photos: Saša Prižmić)
Croatia’s reputation as a stable and reliable destination for investment has been reinforced after Fitch Ratings confirmed the country’s A- credit rating with a stable outlook in its latest report, the Croatian government reported.
The rating from one of the world’s leading credit agencies highlights Croatia’s strong economic performance, responsible fiscal policy and the advantages gained from membership of the European Union and the eurozone.
According to the report, Croatia’s economy continues to perform strongly, with real GDP growth projected at 3.2% in 2025. This rate remains above the average growth recorded across both the EU and the eurozone, reflecting robust economic momentum.
Fitch also pointed to the government’s commitment to maintaining public finances under control, with plans to keep the budget deficit below 3% of GDP.
Croatia has also made significant progress in reducing its public debt. The debt-to-GDP ratio has fallen to around 56%, a drop of roughly 30 percentage points compared with 2020 and close to the average for countries in the A credit rating category.
The agency emphasised that Croatia’s EU and eurozone membership continues to strengthen the country’s financial stability and investor confidence.
Government policy frameworks that leverage EU membership, combined with sustained economic growth and fiscal discipline, were cited as key reasons behind the rating confirmation.
Prime Minister: Croatia seen as politically and economically stable
Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković welcomed the report, saying it confirms that international rating agencies view Croatia as a politically and economically stable country.
“In the context of numerous geopolitical challenges, this report once again confirms that international credit rating agencies consider Croatia a stable state and a reliable place for investment,” Plenković said.
He added that the government will continue to focus on strong economic growth, responsible management of public finances and efficient use of EU funds, with the aim of helping Croatia catch up with more developed EU member states.
“Our fundamental priority remains improving the quality of life for citizens and strengthening the competitiveness of the Croatian economy,” he said.
EU recovery funds driving reforms and investment
Croatia has also benefited significantly from the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility, implemented through the country’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan.
So far, Croatia has received €6.4 billion, representing around 64% of its total allocation, and remains on track to absorb all available funds by the end of 2026.
These funds are supporting a wide range of reforms and investment projects, contributing to continued economic growth and strengthening the country’s long-term development prospects.
Positive signal for investors
Fitch’s confirmation of the A- rating sends a positive signal to international markets, reinforcing Croatia’s image as a stable and increasingly competitive economy within the European Union.
A competition to select a conceptual designer for a bridge between Split and Kaštela has been won by a collaboration between Studio 3LHD of Zagreb and Slovenian company Pipenbaher inženirji.
Hrvatske Ceste, the Croatian roads agency, said that there were twelve anonymous entries. A jury then decided the winner of the US$69,000 prize.
The bridge will create a more direct connection between Split and the suburb of Kaštela. It will carry four lanes of traffic, as well as pedestrians and cyclists. The structure will have sufficient clearance for marine traffic using the port terminals.
The estimated construction cost of the chosen design will be US$258 million. The range of costs for all the competition entries was between US$188 million and US$521 million.
Hrvatske Ceste is not sharing concept drawings yet, but proposals included various different kinds of structure. The judging panel was impressed by the winning entry because of its structural rationality, the design quality and the way it integrated the coastal landscape.
The contract for building the bridge was awarded to China Bridge and Road Corporation in 2023
Days of pride and togetherness are ahead of us, a time when we remember the achievements of the past, recognize deserving individuals and collectives, and celebrate what makes us special: our heritage, tradition, and love for Vela Luka.
The following program brings a series of cultural, educational, and sporting events, as well as moments filled with a festive atmosphere and shared joy…
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