Dubrovnik has once again shone on the international stage, winning two major awards from the renowned British travel magazine Wanderlust. The city was recognised with the Editor’s Special Award for Sustainable Tourism and voted the second most desirable European city in the Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards 2025.

The ceremony, now in its 24th year, took place on Wednesday, November 5, at London’s iconic National Gallery, in partnership with the World Travel Market. Hosted by well-known British TV travel presenter Simon Reeve, the event brought together over 500 guests — including media representatives, tour operators, airlines, and tourism boards from around the globe.

Dubrovnik was nominated among Europe’s top destinations in the “Most Desirable City” category, where Wanderlust readers voted it into second place. The Dubrovnik region also ranked among Europe’s Top 10 most desirable regions, while Croatia itself was named the second most desirable country on the continent — confirming the country’s growing international appeal and tourism diversity.

The Editor’s Special Award, presented by Wanderlust editor-in-chief George Kipouros, was a highlight of the evening. It recognised Dubrovnik’s remarkable achievements in sustainable tourism management — from regulating visitor numbers and cruise ship arrivals to supporting the return of residents to the Old City and maintaining a high quality of life for locals. These initiatives have turned Dubrovnik into a benchmark for responsible tourism and a leading example of transformation from overtourism to balance and sustainability.

Accepting the award on behalf of Dubrovnik, Miro Drašković, Director of the Dubrovnik Tourist Board, said:

“This prestigious recognition confirms that Dubrovnik’s long-term sustainability strategies are being acknowledged and respected internationally. It is a great honour to meet expectations in such a competitive and important market as the United Kingdom — and this serves as a strong motivation to continue positioning Dubrovnik as a leading Mediterranean destination.”

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It may be November, but Dubrovnik’s coastline still looks like a scene from a summer postcard. Locals were surprised yesterday morning to spot a sleek luxury yacht anchored between Lokrum and the Old City — the Moonshot, sailing under the flag of the Marshall Islands.

The 39.3-metre superyacht, built by Tansu Yachts in Turkey and launched in 2017, is designed for both style and performance. With accommodation for eight guests and five crew members, including the captain, Moonshot blends contemporary design with classic craftsmanship — featuring a distinctive wooden hull and superstructure.

While it ranks a modest 2,647th on the global list of the world’s largest superyachts, it holds the title of being the third-largest vessel ever built by Tansu Yachts.

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Global hotel group Accor has expanded its presence in Southeastern Europe with the opening of Novotel Zagreb, the first hotel under the Novotel brand in Croatia.

Located in the eastern part of Zagreb, the new four-star property is just 20 minutes from Franjo Tuđman Airport and 15 minutes from the city centre. It features 163 rooms, six conference halls, a wellness area with a gym and sauna, a private garden and terrace, and a restaurant and lounge bar.

“Through our partnership with Rox, we have created a destination that meets the needs of both tourists and the local community,” said Jean Wendling, Vice President of Operations for Accor Eastern Europe.

The launch strengthens Accor’s regional footprint, with Novotel now operating more than 600 hotels in 60 countries worldwide.

Bank loans to Croatia’s domestic sectors reached 49.3 billion euro at the end of September, up 800 million euro from the previous quarter and 4.4 billion euro higher than a year earlier, according to the Croatian National Bank (HNB).

The annual growth in total loans accelerated to 9.9% in the third quarter, compared with 9.1% at the end of June, the central bank said.

Household borrowing remained the main driver, with total loans to households rising to 26.8 billion euro, including 13.3 billion euro in housing loans and 10 billion euro in general-purpose cash loans. Annual growth in housing loans increased to 14.5%, while overall household credit expanded 14.0% year-on-year.

Loans to non-financial companies totalled 16.9 billion euro, marking a 1.9 billion euro increase from a year earlier.

The HNB, which introduced measures in July to cool borrowing and curb inflation, noted that despite these steps, credit activity — particularly in the housing sector — continues to grow steadily.

Meanwhile, bank deposits rose to 69.2 billion euro, a quarterly increase of 4.5%, though annual growth slowed slightly to 8.2%.

The countdown to the festive season has begun as Dubrovnik prepares for another spectacular Dubrovnik Winter Festival, running from November 29 to January 3, 2026. The city’s streets will sparkle with lights, music, and holiday cheer, culminating in a New Year’s Eve celebration on the world-famous Stradun.

Headlining this year’s celebration is regional superstar Dino Merlin, joined by Hiljson Mandela and rising Croatian talent Jakov Jozinović, whose heartfelt performances and soulful voice have quickly made him one of the most beloved young artists in the region.

“It’s a huge honour to perform in Dubrovnik alongside Dino Merlin and to be part of such a special New Year’s Eve story,” said Jozinović. “Stradun is one of the most beautiful stages in the world, and I can’t wait to feel the energy of the crowd as we welcome the new year together.”

The festival opens on November 29 with a concert by Doris Dragović, followed by performances from Đani Stipaničev with klapas Ragusavecchia and More, Vanna, Parni Valjak, Dražen Zečić, and Željko Bebek. For the youngest visitors, Jacques Houdek will lead the Children’s New Year’s Eve celebration, while the first days of 2026 will feature Petar Grašo and Tomislav Bralić & Klapa Intrade.

Beyond the music, the festival promises a full lineup of cultural, gastronomic, and family events. Visitors can enjoy a Christmas train, skating rink, open-top holiday bus, creative workshops, festive concerts, theatre shows, and exhibitions — all adding to Dubrovnik’s magical holiday glow.

Organised by the City of Dubrovnik, the Dubrovnik Tourist Board, and the Dubrovnik Summer Festival, in collaboration with local cultural institutions and public companies, the Dubrovnik Winter Festival continues to be a celebration for all generations — bringing together tradition, joy, and community spirit.

For full programme details, visit www.dubrovackizimskifestival.comor follow @dubrovnikwinterfestival on Instagram and DuWinterFest on Facebook.

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The Dubrovnik Museums have unveiled a new catalogue, “The History of the Dubrovnik Tramway 1910–1970,” at a presentation held on Tuesday in the Rector’s Palace.
Authored by Dino Lokas, Tonko Marunčić, and Jan Mark Novalija, the 300-page bilingual (Croatian/English) publication accompanies the ongoing exhibition celebrating 115 years since Dubrovnik’s first tram and 55 years since its last ride.

The richly illustrated catalogue offers detailed descriptions of exhibits, photographs, and tram equipment, while also exploring the tram’s cultural significance and the way it shaped Dubrovnik’s urban identity throughout the 20th century.

Director Dr. Marija Šiša-Vivek noted that the publication completes a project devoted to one of Dubrovnik’s most nostalgic symbols. The authors described the process behind the book — from archival research to curating and documenting each exhibit — while reflecting on key moments in the tram’s history.

Lokas recounted how the idea of introducing an electric tram emerged in the late 19th century and came to life in 1910, with five motor cars and two open trailers forming the first fleet. Marunčić reminded the audience of the tram’s struggles — financial difficulties, competition from other transport, and the fatal accident in 1970 that ultimately ended its operation.

Novalija spoke about the restoration of preserved tram cars at Libertas, explaining the challenges of reconstruction and the importance of community contributions: “The tram lives on in the songs and stories of those who once rode it.”

Following the presentation, visitors explored the exhibition, which remains on display at the Rector’s Palace until March 31, 2026.

The University of Dubrovnik has officially become a full member of the European University Association (EUA), following a decision made at the organisation’s general assembly on October 31.

By joining this prestigious European network, the University of Dubrovnik gains access to a wide range of European projects, initiatives, and policies focused on the advancement of higher education, science, and innovation. Membership also provides entry into a broad network of partners and resources across the continent.

The new status marks an important milestone for the university, opening fresh opportunities for collaboration, international knowledge exchange, and participation in shaping European educational policies.

The European University Association represents more than 850 universities and national rectors’ conferences from 48 European countries, serving as a leading voice for higher education and research in Europe.

Becoming a full member not only confirms the University of Dubrovnik’s growing international reputation but also reflects its strategic commitment to excellence, innovation, and global cooperation in higher education.

The Croatian Financial Services Supervisory Agency (Hanfa) announced on Tuesday that Croatia has been included for the first time in the OECD Corporate Governance Factbook 2025, marking a major milestone for the country’s regulatory and institutional development.

According to Hanfa, Croatia’s inclusion in the prestigious publication represents a significant acknowledgment of the agency’s and national institutions’ efforts in recent years to raise the quality of corporate governance and align domestic practices with the highest international standards.

The OECD Corporate Governance Factbook is a comprehensive global report that presents trends and the latest data on corporate governance across 52 countries. It serves as a key reference for policymakers, regulators, investors, and international organisations monitoring transparency, accountability, and sustainability in business practices.

The 2025 edition shows that corporate governance practices are increasingly monitored worldwide. Notably, 73% of countries covered by the report now prepare a national report assessing compliance with their respective corporate governance codes.

Additionally, the data reveal a growing emphasis on sustainability reporting:

• 90% of countries require companies to publish sustainability-related information, and

• 60% of them mandate independent verification or confirmation of those disclosures.

Hanfa stated that Croatia’s inclusion in the OECD Factbook “confirms that the reforms and initiatives undertaken over the past years are producing tangible results” and that the country is “on a clear path toward greater transparency, accountability, and investor confidence.”