The Dubrovnik-Neretva County Tourist Board will once again participate in the prestigious MATKA fair, the largest tourism event in Northern Europe, held from January 16 to 19, 2025, at the Messukeskus Helsinki Exhibition and Convention Centre.

At a 42 m² stand, the Croatian National Tourist Board's Scandinavian office will showcase its diverse tourism offerings alongside the Dubrovnik-Neretva, Split-Dalmatia, and Zadar County tourist boards.

The first day of the fair, January 16, is reserved exclusively for tourism professionals, while the remaining days are open to the general public.

MATKA gathers hundreds of exhibitors from around the globe, offering visitors valuable information about destinations, travel options, and current tourism trends. A particular focus is placed on sustainable tourism, making this event a must-attend for travel and nature enthusiasts.

“Expand your knowledge and discover new aspects of travel! Look forward to inspiring routes, destination presentations, innovative travel methods, and spectacular music and dance performances,” say the organizers.

The Dubrovnik-Neretva County continues to attract significant interest from Finnish tourists. In 2024, the county welcomed 32,698 Finnish visitors, a 7% decrease compared to the previous year. However, 147,307 overnight stays were recorded, marking a 7% increase from 2023.

The profession with the highest average monthly salary in 2024 was that of a "lead developer," earning €2,723, while the lowest-paid workers were hairdressers, cleaners, and seamstresses, according to an analysis published on Thursday by the MojPosao portal.

According to data from the MojaPlaća service, the average monthly net salary in Croatia in 2024, including bonuses, was €1,346, representing a 12% increase compared to the previous year.

The median salary was slightly lower, at €1,242, indicating that the majority of workers earn less than the average.

"In comparison to the previous year, the median salary rose by 15%, highlighting the fact that lower wages grew more significantly than higher ones," the analysis stated, reports N1. 

Distribution of Salaries

When observing the distribution of salaries across pay brackets, 44% of citizens earned between €1,000 and €1,500. Last year, only 35% of citizens fell into this pay bracket.

Decrease in Low-Income Earners

There was also a noticeable increase in citizens in higher pay brackets. In the €1,500–€2,000 range, 18% of citizens were recorded, a significant increase compared to last year's 11%. The highest pay bracket, above €2,000 per month, now includes 10% of citizens, up from 6% the previous year.

Conversely, the share of citizens with lower incomes decreased. In 2024, 27% of citizens earned less than €1,000 monthly, a significant drop compared to 2023, when nearly half (48%) fell into this bracket.

IT Sector Dominates in Pay

Despite a decline in labor demand and waves of layoffs in the IT industry last year, the sector continues to lead in salaries, which are on average 18% higher than the national average at €1,590. However, salary growth in the IT industry was modest compared to other sectors, increasing by just 5%.

Other sectors with above-average salaries include finance and insurance (€1,417), energy production, transmission, and distribution (€1,403), as well as construction, architecture, and real estate (€1,403).

Among individual professions, the lowest-paid workers in Croatia are hairdressers (€803), cleaners (€844), seamstresses (€849), tailors (€872), and security guards (€883).

On the other hand, the highest-paid jobs are in the IT sector: "lead developers" earn an average of €2,723, "Android developers" €2,597, IT architects €2,569, and IT managers slightly less.

Public Sector Leads in Salary Growth

The highest salary increases were observed in the public sector, where wages in public administration and state services rose by an "impressive" 21%, with an average salary of €1,319 in 2024. Significant increases of 16% were also recorded in education, science, healthcare, and social care. In healthcare, the average salary was €1,301, while in education it was €1,217.

Regional Salary Trends

The lowest salaries were reported in Vukovar-Srijem County, 18% below the average at €1,110, followed by Požega-Slavonia County (€1,136) and Virovitica-Podravina County (€1,142).

In contrast, the highest average net salary was in the City of Zagreb, at €1,464, which is 9% above the average, with a 12% annual increase. The most significant growth occurred in Lika-Senj County (21%, to €1,229), followed by Bjelovar-Bilogora and Sisak-Moslavina Counties (15% each, to €1,227 and €1,177, respectively).

Gender and Education Gaps

As in previous years, a gender pay gap was evident, with men earning an average of 17% more than women. Men had an average net salary of €1,464 (up 11% from 2023), while women earned €1,256 on average (a 13% annual increase).

Employees with higher education levels also earned significantly more. Those with postgraduate degrees or MBAs earned an average of €2,048 (52% above the average), while those with higher education earned €1,512 (12% above the average and 29% more than workers with secondary education, who earned €1,173 on average).

Ruđer Bošković Airport entered 2024 with a new name, a fresh visual identity, and a historic record in passenger numbers, marking the beginning of a promising new chapter for Dubrovnik's airport.

With over 70 destinations in 2024 and more than 45 carriers, the airport handled over 2.98 million passengers and 25,300 flight operations. This represents a 23% increase in passenger numbers and a 17.19% rise in flight operations compared to the previous year. Dubrovnik Airport has officially moved past the pandemic benchmark year of 2019 as a reference point for measuring success. More importantly, the rise in passenger numbers and operations has also translated into financial growth, with an estimated preliminary profit of around €7 million. Compared to last year, this is a 30% increase—a leap few companies can boast of.

When the airport thrives, so does the entire Dubrovnik Riviera, which, due to its distance from key markets, heavily relies on air travel.

Milestone Achievements and New Partnerships

Among its record-breaking numbers, the airport established several key partnerships, most notably the launch of Ryanair's base. From the start, with flights to 19 destinations, the impact on extending the tourist season was evident. In April, pre-season growth reached 33%, and in May, it was 31%. The post-season saw significant growth as well, with a 26.68% increase in October and 35% in November.

These figures demonstrate the airport’s success in its goal to extend the “shoulders” of the tourist season, maintain positive summer trends, and contribute to the sustainable tourism development of the region.

It is worth noting that the airport welcomed its two-millionth passenger in August, a full month earlier than in 2023.

Connections to the U.S. and Expanded Winter Flights

In addition to the Ryanair base, Ruđer Bošković Airport remains the only airport in Croatia with direct flights to the United States. A significant milestone this year was the agreement with United Airlines for daily flights to New York from early May to the end of September, and four weekly flights until the end of October.

The airport also secured the most comprehensive winter flight schedule yet, with connections to London, Vienna, Brussels, Warsaw, Barcelona, and Frankfurt.

Major Projects and Innovations

In 2024, Ruđer Bošković Airport completed several significant projects, the most prominent being the Ruđer Bošković Airport Master Plan, which outlines strategic guidelines and goals for the period 2025–2045.

A key focus for the airport is the continuous development and implementation of new technologies. This year saw the introduction of advanced technological systems (CUPPS, DCS, and AMS), representing a significant step toward modernization and more efficient airport operations.

The airport’s innovative approach and technological advancements further solidify its position as a leader in the region.

The government plans to expand the list of products with regulated prices and will continue to focus on maintaining citizens' standards of living, Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and Minister of Economy Ante Šušnjar stated on Wednesday during the parliamentary Q&A session.

"We will expand the measures for products with regulated prices, and the State Inspectorate and the Competition Protection Agency will play a greater role," Prime Minister Plenković responded to an inquiry from independent MP Nino Raspudić.

He reminded the audience of the measures the government has taken so far to combat inflation, including reducing the VAT rate to 5% for a range of products. "Almost no one notices this anymore," he remarked.

Inflation in 2024 was 2.975%, and it is estimated to be 2.7% for this year, Plenković added, highlighting GDP growth, public debt reduction, credit rating improvement, and increases in wages and pensions.

"Inflation is Croatia’s pressing issue. Over the last three years, Croatia has recorded rates among the highest in the EU, and we currently have the highest inflation in the Eurozone," Raspudić emphasized, warning that regulating the prices of some products will not stop the "descent into the abyss."

On this day 33 years ago, January 15, 1992, the Republic of Croatia became an internationally recognized state. Exactly six years later, on January 15, 1998, the peaceful reintegration of the occupied Croatian Danube region was completed, returning it to Croatia's constitutional and legal order.

Today, Croatia commemorates 33 years since its international recognition, a pivotal moment that solidified its status as a sovereign state on the global stage. On January 15, 1992, all twelve member states of the then-European Community recognized Croatia. Germany, along with the Vatican, played a crucial role in this process, establishing diplomatic relations with Croatia.

On the same day, Austria, Bulgaria, Canada, Hungary, Malta, Norway, Poland, and Switzerland also recognized Croatia. Slovenia, Lithuania, Ukraine, Latvia, Iceland, Estonia, the Holy See, and San Marino had already done so earlier. By the end of January 1992, a total of 44 countries had recognized Croatia, with more following in the subsequent months.

The Path to Recognition

International recognition followed Croatia’s declaration of independence on June 25, 1991, when both Croatia and Slovenia severed ties with the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and mutually recognized each other. Lithuania was the first country to recognize Croatia on July 30, 1991, despite not yet being internationally recognized itself. Iceland is remembered as the first internationally recognized country to extend recognition to Croatia, on December 19, 1991. That same day, Germany announced that its recognition would take effect on January 15, 1992, alongside the other EU member states.

The Vatican announced its recognition of Croatia on December 20, 1991, formalizing it on January 13, 1992. Vatican diplomacy had been at the forefront of international efforts to recognize Croatia since October 1991. Historians often highlight the pivotal roles of the Vatican and Iceland in championing Croatia's right to independence.

The Croatian National Bank (HNB) continues its numismatic series dedicated to the black lizard and is issuing a new silver coin, Black Lizard, with a denomination of six euros, HNB announced on Tuesday.

The silver coin is crafted using a high-gloss minting technique with ultra-high relief.

The coin's design features the endemic subspecies of lizard, the Brusnik karst lizard (Podarcis melisellensis melisellensis), an important part of the Republic of Croatia's natural heritage, which inhabits the islet of Brusnik, a geological nature monument protected since 1951.

The artistic design of this silver coin was created by sculptor Nikola Vudrag.

The Black Lizard silver coin is being issued in a quantity of no more than 400 pieces, and interested buyers can purchase it starting January 21, 2025.

The coin will be sold by the Croatian Mint, with an initial sales price expected to be around €253.79 including VAT.

The final price at the time of purchase will depend on fluctuations in silver prices on the open market.

Preparatory works are underway for the restoration of the Small Onofrio Fountain, with the project expected to last 60 working days.

The Society of Friends of Dubrovnik Antiquities has initiated restoration efforts on the Small Onofrio Fountain, as its current infrastructure is in poor condition due to corrosion and lime buildup, necessitating urgent repairs. The restoration will include thorough cleaning of the pipelines, replacement of damaged water pipes and faulty components, and a complete overhaul of the water recirculation system. Additionally, the water meter chamber will be reconstructed to improve access for maintenance.

Simultaneously, conservation and restoration works will be carried out to prevent further damage and preserve the historical and artistic value of the fountain. These works will involve replacing nozzles and restoring stone details, all performed under expert supervision and in compliance with conservation guidelines.

The main project documentation for the restoration and maintenance of the Small Onofrio Fountain was prepared by Studio Vetma arh d.o.o., led by chief designer Matko Vetma, and has received approval from the Ministry of Culture and Media, Directorate for the Protection of Cultural Heritage, and the Conservation Department in Dubrovnik. Construction and craft works will be handled by Građevinar Quelin d.d., while authorized conservator Ivka Lipanović will execute the conservation and restoration works.

A report by the Center for Information Resilience states that pro-Russian networks operated in two waves—following Milanović's victory in the first round and after his statements opposing potential Croatian involvement in the war in Ukraine. The report also notes that Milanović was portrayed more positively than Dragan Primorac. Domagoj Maričić, Assistant Director of Croatian Regulatory Authority for Network Industries (HAKOM), commented on the alleged involvement of Russian bots for N1 Television.

The report analyzed the behavior of social media accounts on platforms like X, Facebook, Reddit, TikTok, and others over the past month. Key terms included “Zoran Milanović” and “Dragan Primorac,” with the goal of uncovering a network of pro-Russian, anti-EU, and anti-NATO bots.

“What happened wasn’t alarming enough to influence the elections. No significant impact occurred,” Maričić told N1.

“We are not claiming that the information the Center for Information Resilience had is malicious or that those researchers acted in bad faith. However, given the circumstances, there was nothing to indicate an alarming situation that would warrant platform intervention,” he added.

He emphasized: “As far as we’re concerned, this story is over.”

“It is not HAKOM’s task to monitor the work of organizations conducting such research, especially if they are not registered as trusted reporters. Trusted reporters are those who, once the regulation is adopted, will have a privileged position with platforms, making their reports carry greater relevance,” Maričić explained.