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
Zagreb International Airport marked a significant milestone today, celebrating its 4-millionth passenger for 2024, a record achievement reflecting its steady growth and rising importance as a key travel hub. The landmark moment occurred on Croatia Airlines flight OU368 from Zagreb to Skopje, and the lucky passenger was honored in a special ceremony at the terminal.
The Chief Operating Officer of Zagreb International Airport, Nicolas Duthilleul, personally recognized the passenger and presented commemorative gifts to mark the occasion. Croatia Airlines joined the celebration by awarding the traveler two return tickets to any European destination of their choice, underscoring the airline’s role in connecting Zagreb with the world.
A Year of Growth and Opportunity
This achievement highlights a year of exceptional growth for Zagreb International Airport. With a burgeoning network of destinations and the introduction of year-round routes, the airport has successfully expanded its reach to cater to both business and leisure travelers. The continued reduction in seasonality has been a major focus, ensuring that Zagreb remains accessible and appealing throughout the year.
“We’re proud to see such consistent passenger growth,” said COO Nicolas Duthilleul. “This milestone not only reflects the trust our passengers place in us but also emphasizes Zagreb’s emergence as a dynamic travel hub. Our efforts to enhance connectivity and services are paying off, and we look forward to continuing this upward trajectory.”
IKEA Croatia announced on Monday that it achieved revenues of €165.7 million in fiscal year 2024, marking a 10.4% increase year-on-year. The company highlighted this as one of the largest growth rates among IKEA units worldwide.
The fiscal year covered the period from September 1, 2023, to August 31, 2024, and included revenues from online sales, planning studios, delivery centers, and the IKEA Zagreb store.
Impressive Visitor Numbers and Sales
The IKEA store in Zagreb welcomed more than 1.78 million visitors during the fiscal year, a 3.4% increase compared to the previous year. Online, IKEA Croatia recorded 20.2 million visits, resulting in 274,828 purchases. In total, 15 million IKEA products were sold, representing a 15.5% year-on-year growth.
IKEA Croatia also invested €12.8 million during the year to reduce prices for more than half of its product range, making its offerings even more accessible to customers.
Ingka Group Revenue and Sustainability Efforts
Globally, Ingka Group—the largest operator of IKEA stores—reported revenues of €41.8 billion for fiscal year 2024, a 5.5% decline compared to the previous year. Net profits stood at €0.8 billion, down from €1.5 billion in the previous year.
The company invested €2.1 billion globally to reduce prices, contributing to a 3.3% increase in visits to stores and a 28% rise in online visits. The number of online orders grew by 9%.
"This was a year of bold investment in the future, ensuring IKEA becomes more affordable, accessible, and sustainable," said Juvencio Maeztu, Deputy CEO and Chief Sustainability Officer of Ingka Group.
Sustainability at the Core
Ingka Group reinvests 85% of its net profits back into the business, with the remaining 15% paid as dividends to its sole owner, the Stichting INGKA Foundation. This foundation also funds the IKEA Foundation, which has allocated €2 billion to combat child poverty and climate change as of December 2023.
The group has committed to reducing its climate footprint by 85% in its own operations by 2030 and achieving net-zero emissions across its value chain by 2050.
As part of these efforts, €1.5 billion has been invested in transitioning to renewable energy technologies. This includes retrofitting existing stores with renewable heating and cooling systems and ensuring all new units are built with these technologies. In 2024 alone, 11 retail locations in seven countries underwent upgrades.
IKEA continues to set the standard for sustainability while striving to remain a global leader in home furnishing innovation.
The Dubrovnik Tourist Board is once again organizing its traditional charity event, the "Cake Party," as part of the Dubrovnik Winter Festival. This year’s event will take place on Saturday, December 7, 2024, on Stradun, starting at 11 am. The sale of vouchers and the exhibition of cakes from more than 30 participants will begin at 10:30 am.
The musical program will feature the popular Croatian singer Luka Nižetić, who will entertain the audience with his hits, delighting visitors of all ages, especially the youngest.
Vouchers for participation cost three euros, and all proceeds will go to the charity initiative "Smile for a Smile," organized by the Sorriso association.
Saturday Winter Mornings in the City - Folklore Performances and City Tours During the Winter Months
To encourage tourism during the winter season, the Dubrovnik Tourist Board is continuing its beloved tradition of "Saturday Winter Mornings in the City," which began on November 9 and will run until March 29, 2025. The program includes a folklore performance in front of St. Blaise’s Church every Saturday.
The thematic city tours start at 9:30 am in English (from TIC Pile) and at 12:30 pm in Croatian. At 11:30 am, visitors can enjoy a folklore performance in front of St. Blaise’s Church, courtesy of the Dubrovnik Tourist Board. Please note that the performance will be canceled in case of bad weather.
Special December Themes
In December, the city tours will explore the theme "Cosmopolitan Dubrovnik." These tours will delve into the evolution of major European religions, their origins, and their spread across the continent, as well as the religious communities that settled in Dubrovnik over the centuries.
On the last two Saturdays of December (December 21 and 28), free themed tours will focus on "Dubrovnik’s Kolenda." Visitors will have the chance to learn about the centuries-old kolenda caroling tradition, which has been a part of Dubrovnik’s culture for over 800 years.
January, February, and March Highlights
From January to March 2025, "Saturday Winter Mornings" will feature performances by FA Linđo alongside thematic tours on various topics, including:
- "Cosmopolitan Dubrovnik"
- "St. Blaise – In Honor of Our Patron"
- "Tracing the Footsteps of Ancient Love"
How to Join
The Dubrovnik Tourist Board will announce dates for individual thematic tours on its Facebook page.
Participation in the tours is limited, so advance registration is required by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or calling +385 20 312 011 no later than 5 pm on Fridays.
Dubrovnik’s 2024 tourism season has shattered records, with the city attracting an impressive 1.35 million visitors and over 4.2 million overnight stays since January. According to the eVisitor system, this marks a 9% increase in arrivals and a 10% jump in overnight stays compared to the same period in 2023.
The city’s undeniable allure continues to captivate international travelers, with the majority of visitors hailing from the United Kingdom, the United States, France, Germany, and even Croatia itself. Domestic tourists accounted for 67,467 arrivals and 170,408 overnight stays, while foreign guests overwhelmingly dominated the figures with 1.27 million arrivals and nearly 3.7 million overnight stays.
November alone saw 35,421 arrivals and 78,121 overnight stays—a 16% increase in overnight bookings compared to last year, although arrivals dipped slightly by 2%. Despite the late-season chill, Dubrovnik attracted over 1,500 weekend tourists, mainly from Croatia, Albania, France, the USA, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, cementing its reputation as a year-round destination.
But the real buzz? Dubrovnik Airport, named after famed scientist Ruđer Bošković, has unveiled an ambitious flight schedule for December. Boasting new connections to major European hubs like Frankfurt, Warsaw, London, Brussels, Vienna, and Barcelona, the airport anticipates a passenger surge of at least 25% compared to December 2023.
Average net and gross salaries across all Croatian counties increased in the third quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, according to the Croatian Bureau of Statistics (DZS).
Net Salary Highlights
The highest net salary growth occurred in Požega-Slavonia and Šibenik-Knin Counties, where wages rose by 17%, reaching €1,211 and €1,260, respectively. Istria County recorded the smallest increase, with a 12.6% rise to €1,236.
The City of Zagreb had the highest average net salary at €1,525, a 13.6% increase year-on-year, while Virovitica-Podravina County reported the lowest, at €1,169, up 16%.
Gross Salary Trends
Gross salaries also rose across the board. Lika-Senj County led with a 17.3% increase to €1,672, while Istria County saw the smallest rise of 12.3%, reaching €1,690. The City of Zagreb recorded the highest gross salary at €2,206, while Virovitica-Podravina County had the lowest at €1,560.
National Averages
Nationally, the average net salary reached €1,320, a 14.5% rise from Q3 2023, while the average gross salary grew by the same percentage to €1,829.
This steady wage growth reflects Croatia’s improving economic conditions, with regional variations highlighting diverse local dynamics.
Zagreb’s Kranjčevićeva Stadium Set for €44 Million Transformation as Dinamo’s Temporary Home in 2026
Big changes are on the horizon for football fans in Zagreb. The City of Zagreb has announced a €44 million investment to modernize Kranjčevićeva Stadium, which will serve as Dinamo Zagreb’s temporary home starting in 2026. This move paves the way for the demolition and reconstruction of the iconic Maksimir Stadium, with a state-of-the-art replacement expected by 2028.
A UEFA-Standard Stadium in the Heart of Zagreb
Mayor Tomislav Tomašević revealed that construction on Kranjčevićeva Stadium will kick off in early 2025, with completion targeted for September 2026. The renovated stadium will expand its seating capacity from 5,350 to 11,163, meeting UEFA Category 4 requirements. This upgrade ensures the stadium will be capable of hosting top-tier matches, including Champions League games up to the semi-final stage.
“We’re thrilled to bring this project to life after overcoming numerous challenges,” said Mayor Tomašević. “With the building permit secured and procurement underway, we’re ready to transform Kranjčevićeva into a modern football venue.”
Features of the New Kranjčevićeva Stadium
The redesigned stadium will offer cutting-edge facilities to meet the needs of players, staff, and fans. Key upgrades include:
- Fully covered seating for all spectators
- A hybrid, heated playing surface
- Modern LED floodlighting to replace outdated systems
- Advanced infrastructure for teams, technical staff, and media
The total investment of €44 million includes €35 million for construction and additional costs for VAT, with the full budget covered by the City of Zagreb.
What This Means for Dinamo Zagreb and Croatian Football
Once completed, Kranjčevićeva Stadium will become the temporary home for Dinamo Zagreb and could also host Croatian national team matches. This ensures both teams have a top-quality venue while Maksimir Stadium undergoes its much-needed reconstruction.
The demolition of Maksimir Stadium will mark the beginning of a new chapter for Croatian football, with the new Dinamo stadium expected to open in 2028. The project promises to elevate Zagreb’s football infrastructure, securing its position as a hub for both domestic and international competitions.
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