Friday, 14 February 2025
Mark Thomas

Mark Thomas

Mark Thomas - The editor and big chief of The Dubrovnik Times. Born in the UK he has been living and working in Dubrovnik since 1998, yes he is one of the rare “old hands.” A unique insight into both British and Croatian life and culture, Mark is often known as just “Englez” or Englishman. He is a traveller, a current affairs freak and a huge AFC Wimbledon fan.

Email: mark.thomas@dubrovnik-times.com

The value of Croatia's goods exports in 2024 was €23.9 billion, representing a 4.6% increase compared to 2023, while imports rose by 5.4% to €41.8 billion, according to initial data from the Croatian Bureau of Statistics (DZS) published on Friday.

The trade deficit thus amounted to €17.8 billion last year, compared to €16.6 billion in 2023. The coverage of imports by exports in 2024 decreased to 57.3%, down from 57.8% in 2023.

According to the preliminary data from DZS, exports to EU countries in 2024 were valued at €15.6 billion, which is a 0.4% increase compared to 2023. The value of imports from EU countries grew by 7%, reaching €32.6 billion.

Statistics for exports to non-EU countries show a 13.4% growth, amounting to €8.3 billion, while imports from non-EU countries increased by 0.2%, reaching €9.2 billion.

The average monthly net salary per employee in legal entities in Zagreb for November 2024 was €1,566, which represents a nominal increase of 2.5% compared to October and a 12.9% increase compared to November 2023.

According to data from the City Office for Economy, Environmental Sustainability, and Strategic Planning, the highest average monthly net salary in legal entities for November 2024 was paid in the motor vehicle, trailer, and semi-trailer manufacturing sector, amounting to €2,479.

On the other hand, the lowest salary was paid in the leather and related products manufacturing sector, at €874.

The median net salary for November 2023 was €1,317, meaning that half of Zagreb’s employees earned less and half earned more than that amount.

Compared to the average monthly salary for November last year in Croatia, which was €1,366, the average net salary paid in Zagreb for that month was €200 higher.

The average monthly gross salary per employee in legal entities in Zagreb for November 2024 amounted to €2,249, which is an increase of 3.3% compared to October 2024 and a 13.4% increase compared to November 2023.

This summer, Croatia Airlines will expand its Zagreb network by launching five new routes, with most additions being the return of city connections that were in place before the COVID-19 pandemic. The new destinations include Milan Malpensa, Prague, Bucharest, Madrid, and Hamburg. Flights to Milan and Prague will start on June 2, with both routes operating three times a week, reports EX-YU Aviation. Services to Hamburg, Bucharest, and Madrid will begin in July, with Hamburg and Bucharest launching on July 1, and Madrid following on July 3. These three routes will also run three times weekly. All flights will be operated with Croatia Airlines’ Airbus A220-300 aircraft.

Launch Dates

  • Milan: June 2
  • Prague: June 2
  • Hamburg: July 1
  • Bucharest: July 1
  • Madrid: July 3

This network expansion aligns with Croatia Airlines’ strategy to grow operations with the introduction of new A220 aircraft. The airline is scheduled to receive five A220-300s and one A220-100 in 2025, joining the two A220s delivered in 2024. Croatia Airlines last served Milan, Prague, and Bucharest from Zagreb in 2019, and had plans to resume them in 2020, but these were halted due to the pandemic. The airline last flew to Hamburg in 2012, though Eurowings operated the route from Split in recent years. Zagreb was linked to Hamburg in 2019 by Eurowings.

Competition and Market Landscape

Croatia Airlines will face direct competition on just one of its new routes: Zagreb to Madrid, where it will compete with Iberia, which plans to operate between three and nine weekly flights depending on the month. The frequencies will range from three weekly flights in the shoulder seasons (April, May, and October) to nine weekly flights during the peak summer period (August). On the Milan route, Ryanair indirectly competes, flying five times per week to Bergamo Airport during the summer.

The airline had also planned to add a route between Zagreb and Lisbon, but was unable to secure the necessary airport slots.

The captain of the Croatian national football team, 39-year-old Luka Modrić, is now in his 13th season wearing the Real Madrid jersey. With his contract set to expire in June this year, many are wondering whether he will stay at the Santiago Bernabéu for another season, reports tPortal

Modrić has repeatedly shown his deep commitment to Real Madrid. He has accepted pay cuts, turned down lucrative offers from Saudi Arabia, and resisted calls to join MLS in the United States.

With his dedication, work ethic, and the vital role he plays in Carlo Ancelotti’s squad, Modrić has undoubtedly earned every contract renewal. Despite being 39 years old, there is no sign of decline in his performances.

Modrić is keen to stay at Real Madrid for another season, ensuring he is in top shape for the 2026 World Cup.

And it seems Real Madrid has the same idea.

At least, that’s what journalist Ekrem Konur from Caught Offside is reporting, stating that Real Madrid also wants to keep Modrić.

Fuel prices across Croatia are set to drop across the board starting from this Tuesday. 

The new prices will be:

  • Eurosuper at €1.51 per liter, down two cents.
  • Eurodiesel at €1.43 per liter, four cents cheaper.
  • Blue diesel at €0.82 per liter, also reduced by four cents.

Romania, Lithuania, Bulgaria, and Poland recorded the highest average annual growth rates of the minimum wage in the European Union between January 2015 and January 2025, reports N1

These countries saw increases ranging from 14% to 10%, according to the latest Eurostat data. In contrast, the lowest average annual growth rates among EU countries were recorded in France at +2.1% and Malta at +2.9%, Euronews reports.

Within the Union, 22 out of 27 member states have a national minimum wage in place. However, minimum monthly wages vary significantly across the bloc. The only exceptions are Denmark, Italy, Austria, Finland, and Sweden, which do not have a statutory minimum wage.

Minimum Wage Over €1,500

Luxembourg, Ireland, the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, and France are the six countries where the minimum wage exceeds €1,500 per month. In these nations, minimum wages ranged from €1,802 in France to €2,638 in Luxembourg.

On the other hand, Croatia, Greece, Malta, Estonia, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania, Latvia, Hungary, and Bulgaria have the lowest minimum wages, all below €1,000 per month. In these countries, minimum wages ranged from €551 in Bulgaria to €970 in Croatia.

Is Salary the Only Measure of Wealth?

The Purchasing Power Standard (PPS), which measures the cost of a specific set of goods, can provide a fairer comparison since living expenses—especially housing costs—vary greatly between European countries.

Within the EU, wage disparities shrink significantly when adjusted for differences in price levels. Eurostat categorizes EU countries into three groups: those with minimum wages above 1,500 PPS, those between 1,000 and 1,500 PPS, and those below 1,000 PPS.

Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Belgium, Ireland, France, and Poland fall into the highest category (above 1,500 PPS), while Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Bulgaria, and Latvia are in the lowest category (below 1,000 PPS).

However, some countries with lower absolute minimum wages can have similar purchasing power compared to wealthier nations due to lower living costs. Poland, for example, moves into the highest category when adjusted for purchasing power, suggesting that its minimum wage holds strong buying power relative to the cost of living.

Do you remember June 2017, when the international media were reporting on how Dubrovnik should be avoided due to overtourism? The prestigious New York Times has recently highlighted Dubrovnik as a city that has successfully been combating overtourism for years.

In discussing the latest measures introduced by many global destinations struggling with high visitor numbers, they pointed out that Dubrovnik, once a symbol of overtourism, is now one of the symbols of sustainable tourism. Thanks to concrete measures to regulate tourist flows and preserve the quality of life for local residents, the city has gained global recognition.

Although measures such as reducing the number of cruise ships, cutting tables and chairs in the historic center by 30%, and reducing souvenir stands by 70% were initially unpopular, they have brought numerous benefits—including less seasonality, improved quality of life for both residents and visitors, and higher revenues. The focus is on dispersing tourist traffic by developing new attractions in the pre-season and post-season and strengthening winter transportation connections.

The goal is not to increase the number of arrivals during peak season but to encourage year-round tourism that promotes longer stays and higher visitor spending. Dubrovnik has transformed from an overtouristed destination into a sustainable, year-round destination. This is confirmed not only by numerous renowned global media outlets and experts but also by results— in 2024, Dubrovnik recorded 1,397,052 arrivals and 4,555,636 overnight stays, a 9% increase compared to the previous year. Particularly noteworthy is the number of overnight stays in December, further cementing Dubrovnik’s status as Croatia’s leading year-round destination.

This year, Red Dress Day was once again marked with the aim of raising public awareness about the unique characteristics of strokes in women.

Staff from the Neurology Department of Dubrovnik General Hospital, along with colleagues involved in stroke prevention and treatment, gathered on Friday in front of the Large Onofrio’s Fountain to show their support for female patients. They then walked along Stradun, distributing informational materials, and released red balloons in front of St. Blaise’s Church.

Notably, more women than men die from strokes, and the international Red Dress Day campaign is dedicated to the prevention, diagnosis, and management of cardiovascular diseases, including conditions affecting the heart and brain’s blood vessels in women.

 

The Voice of Dubrovnik

THE VOICE OF DUBROVNIK


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