Cover up in Split or pay up!
Walking the streets of the old town of Split in skimpy clothes will soon be a minor offence if the city councillors support the amendment to the decision of communal order which is one of the topics of the agenda for the next session scheduled for Tuesday, May 17.
The proposed amendments will introduce the ban of walking around the city centre in skimpy clothes or in a bathing suit, and of course without any clothes. Control of this regulation will be carried out by municipal staff. The sanction fine will be 500 Kuna if paid on the spot or 1000 Kuna within the misdemeanour procedure.
According to the national newspaper Slobodna Dalmacija - This regulation is just a logical continuation of what has already been done by numerous cities and local authorities along the Adriatic coast largely because of foreign tourists who often walk around the cities minimally dressed in summer months.
Turkish Airlines to purchase Croatia Airlines
The Croatian national airline, Croatia Airlines, could soon find itself under the wings of a new owner. The government are looking to privatise some of the few businesses controlled by the state, including Croatia Airlines, and Turkish Airlines have shown an interest in snapping up the airline.
If we estimate that this is a good business opportunity for Turkish Airlines then we will be interested in investing into Croatia Airlines, confirmed the managing director of HR for the Turkish carrier, Abdulkerim Çay. Yesterday the first flight from Istanbul by Turkish Airlines landed at the Dubrovnik Airport.
Even though the government have shown interest in privatising Croatia Airlines there is still plenty of work to be done before a public tender is announced. There has been no official announcement of the sale of the airline, or a clear model as to which version of privatisation the government will seek, a strategic partner or a complete sale.
- Turkish Airlines is a business and as yet we don’t know which way the sale of Croatia Airlines will go. However if we see a good opportunity between the two companies then we will certainly consider it – commented Abdulkerim Çay during his visit to Dubrovnik Airport.
The best Hilton hotel in the world is in Dubrovnik!
Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik has just made a new record – the Dubrovnik hotel has won the prestigious Connie award for the fifth time, a feat that has never done by any other Hilton hotel in the world! The Connie award is reserved only for the best hotels in this prestige international hotel chain.
The Hilton in Dubrovnik won its first award in 2010, only five years after joining the Hilton group. But Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik continued to keep its trend of excellence and picked up its second award in 2012 and every following year including last year.
This award is named after founder of Hilton hotel chain Conrad Hilton also known as Connie to his family and friends. Almost one hundred years ago he opened his first hotel with a beautiful vision to fill the earth with light and warmth of hospitality.
Today with Connie award Hilton group celebrates the vision of its founder and honours the best hotels for keeping this vision alive in order to set the example for other hotels to follow.
What makes this award so significant is perfect balance of excellent product, extraordinary service and competitiveness. Each member of a team contributes by being hospitable with every guest they meet and being able to anticipate guest's needs to the smallest details.
Congratulations Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik!
Jose Carreras to perform in Croatia – The Final World Tour
Meritum Comunications & Art Hill in collaboration with Bina-Istra will bring Jose Carreras to Croatia, on the occasion of his last world tour, aptly called “The Final World Tour.” The concert by one of the best known tenors in the world will be held in the beautiful Pula Arena on the 23rd of July starting at 9 p.m.
Visitors will enjoy world famous melodies by the famous Spanish tenor, accompanied by the Symphony Orchestra of the Croatian National Theatre. This unique musical experience will have a humanitarian character and Bina- Istra will donate all funds raised at this event to children's wards of Rijeka and Pula hospitals. This musical spectacle in the unique atmosphere of the ancient Arena is perhaps the last chance in Croatia to enjoy the beautiful music and melodies of the famous musical virtuoso.
Tickets sales begin in a few days but due to the great interest we advise you to book and buy your ticket at the earliest opportunity. All sales information is available at www.carrerasupuli.com
Press tour for 39 foreign journalists
Dubrovnik Tourist Board in cooperation with Turkish Airlines and support of Croatian National Tourist Board organized a press-tour for 39 foreign journalists from Turkey, Canada, Taiwan, Malaysia, Korea an Japan. It was done on the occasion of the inaugural flight between Istanbul and Dubrovnik. This tour will promote Dubrovnik, the new location of the most successful European airline. Journalists arrived yesterday, with the first flight from Istanbul and were part of the ceremony at The Dubrovnik Airport.
Then they went on the ride with the cable car to Srđ, followed by the tour of the Old Town and its mayor attractions. Today they went to Elaphites.
Impressions of Dubrovnik and the importance of the direct air route between Istanbul and Dubrovnik will be the topic of the reports in the print and electronic media, plus the social networks. That will contribute to the success of the new line, which will operate throughout the year and it's really important for the countries of the Far and Middle East.
The journalists will leave tomorrow, also with the flight by the Turkish Airlines.
Up close and personal with Tyrion Lannister
The connection between the Game of Thrones and Dubrovnik is unbreakable, and now we have a life-size character from the hit series on the streets of Dubrovnik.
Tyrion Lannister, played by Peter Dinklage, is alive and well in Dubrovnik, well at least of model of him is on the streets of Dubrovnik.
Many businesses in Dubrovnik have introduced Game of Thrones themed contents to their offer, but this Game of Thrones store in the Old City has gone one step further with this model of the popular character. Located on one of the main streets in the historic Old City the model of Tyrion Lannister is proving a hit with tourists who are lining up to get their photo taken with him.
The Game of Thrones store, Dubrovnik City Shop, also has a full-sized throne from the series inside which customers can pose in.
Ryanair might be finally coming to Dubrovnik
There is a possibility that Ryanair will finally come to Dubrovnik! It seems that Dubrovnik Airport started talking with the largest low cost airline, who has avoided Dubrovnik before because of the high fees, over potential year round flights to the city.
- The Deputy General Manager of Dubrovnik Airport, Frano Luetić, says the two sides held talks during the recent Routes Europe forum, which brought together a wide range of airlines, airports and tourism authorities – writes EX-YU Aviation News and adds that Luetić said that they provided Ryanair with a letter of intent from local authorities under the condition they operate service on a year-long basis and also that Ryanair is ready to come to Dubrovnik and talk with all relevant stakeholders.
Ryanair isn't new in Croatia, since it has flights to Osijek, Pula, Rijeka and Zadar. Anyhow, Dubrovnik Airport has been trying hard to improve this winter season, because 85 percent of the travellers fly during the summer months. By the information of EX-YU Aviation News, there should be flights from Dubrovnik to Frankfurt this winter, and Turkish Airlines that just came to Dubrovnik will keep their route all year around. There is a possibility that seasonal service of Austrian Airlines from Vienna will last the whole year too.
Turkish Airlines makes Dubrovnik closer to Istanbul
Turkish Airlines , one of the world's fastest growing airlines, directly connects Istanbul and Dubrovnik from today.
Inauguration of the new, 285th destination of Turkish Airlines, was held this morning at the Dubrovnik airport with the first plane landing from Istanbul. Among the others, the chairman of the Turkish Airlines Ilker Ayci, Mayor of Dubrovnik Andro Vlahušić and general manager of the Dubrovnik airport Roko Tolić attended the ceremony.
Turkish Airlines has been chosen as the best airline in Europe for five years in a row.
Photo: Nikša Duper
GORAN HRNIĆ - We don’t want to follow – we want to lead
The Dubrovnik Times caught up with the President of the Board of Gulliver Travel, Goran Hrnić, ahead of another busy tourist season in Dubrovnik. Gulliver Travel was founded in 1989 and is one of the iconic travel brands in the region. But this isn't an agency that is resting on its laurels, far from it, Gulliver has just relased a brand new website that offers guests the possibility of online booking, as Hrnić explained “with the explosion of the online bookings, as well as online reviews, agencies that have a strong digital presence have the upper hand.”
Gulliver Travel was the first private travel agency in Dubrovnik, now almost thirty years later you are the leading agency in the city. What are the keys to your success?
In fact we were the first private travel operator in the region, not only in Dubrovnik. We started in 1989, on the 1st of February; I can still remember those humble beginnings. Of course being the first travel agency in the region helped us get a head start on all of the competition. There were three partners in the foundation, and we all came from the travel industry. We always had many ideas and new projects that we worked on in those formative years, in fact we have always kept that innovative edge. We don’t want to follow – we want to lead.
How has Dubrovnik changed as a destination since those beginnings and how have you seen the travel business change in general?
You would have to say that the increase in modern technology, the internet and the digital era have completely changed the face of the travel business. Travel operators have either had to follow the trends or have gone out of business. And it isn’t enough just to follow the trends you also have to make your own developments, find a way to create your brand in a crowded market. We are proud at Gulliver Travel that we have been able to blossom in the digital world. There are many more specialised agencies than before, agencies that look after a small niche sector, so the competition is fierce.
As far as Dubrovnik as a destination is concerned you have to say that there are many more contents and attractions than before, although there is still lots of work to be done in my opinion. The rate of development of Dubrovnik, and the opening of new accommodation, hasn’t been followed by the development of the infrastructure. The market has opened much more in recent years and that has brought new investment and new developments. We have work to do, but I am sure that we are going in the right direction; I would just like it to move a little faster.
In these modern times how difficult is it for a travel operator to compete with “digital” tourists who arrange their travels online?
We have to follow all the new trends on the market, as the world changes so the travel industry changes as well. With the explosion of the online bookings, as well as online reviews, agencies that have a strong digital presence have the upper hand. In fact we have just released a new website and online booking system that we are particularly proud of. I am sure that our clients, and future clients, will recognise the advantages and benefits of this new website.
Is it difficult to invent new and innovative excursions and travel ideas in Dubrovnik, a city that is an international brand due to its historic old city?
Yes, Dubrovnik is an international brand, a name that is recognised in all the continents. With such a strong and iconic brand, as the historic Old City of Dubrovnik is, we are constantly thinking of new excursions and tours to present the other highlights that the region offers.
As I have already mentioned the digital age has drastically altered the way people travel. Today people tend to travel for shorter periods of time but more often throughout the year. In fact the average in stay in Dubrovnik was under three days last year. So we have a shorter time window to interest guests to experience other attractions apart from the Old City. You could say that this makes out work harder, but in fact in drives us on to make even better products for guests to enjoy. At the end of the day I love this region so I really want to present it to tourists in the right manner. Every year we introduce new excursions and new projects to showcase all of the hidden beauties.
What would be your top three recommendations for tourists to experience in Dubrovnik?
In my opinion the top three attractions are, the Old City walls, the island of Šipan and the picturesque Cavtat. I might be a little biased but these are my favourites. There are many more, in fact three is too small a number to make a shortlist. I would also recommend Korčula and Pelješac, in many ways these are still undiscovered destinations.
With so much choice for tourists on the market today why do you believe Gulliver Travel stands out from the crowd?
In the first place should always be value for money, I am a great believer in offering guests products that are great value for money. We are always trying to be ahead of the game, ahead of the business, bringing forward new ideas that many other business follow.
In my opinion reputation, as well as high levels of safety, are key elements when forging a successful travel operator. We work with many of the world leaders in tourism, and therefore our standards have to be extremely high. And with our new products and especially our new website I see a bright future for Gulliver Travel.
PHOTO GALLERY – Tourists soak up the Dubrovnik sunshine
After the recent unsettled weather the summer has well and truly arrived in Dubrovnik. With endless blue skies and temperatures into the mid twenties Dubrovnik was in a summer glow today.
The forecast is for more sunshine and even warmer temperatures, grab the sun cream and iron your shorts, summer has come to Dubrovnik! But before you get too brave the sea temperature is still a “refreshing” 18 degrees.
Check out our super Sunday photo gallery by Niksa Duper
The Voice of Dubrovnik
