The fourth edition of the Family Accommodation Congress opened today in Split, bringing together a large number of private renters, tourism professionals, and representatives of public institutions.

The event was officially opened by Monika Udovičić, State Secretary at the Ministry of Tourism and Sport, who emphasized the essential role of family-run accommodation in the continued development of Croatia's tourism sector.

“Through our reform, we aim to preserve what we recognize as true domestic accommodation – those who have traditionally been involved in it – while setting new frameworks for others in the short-term rental market. We're not banning anyone, just creating a structure that protects genuine hosts and ensures this model of hospitality thrives in the future,” said Udovičić.

She underlined that family-run tourism is a unique advantage for Croatia and announced branding efforts to further elevate this segment.

Congress Kicks Off with Legal & Policy Discussions

The two-day congress opened with a panel discussion titled "New Legal Framework and Challenges for Family Accommodation in Croatia." Representatives from the Ministry of Tourism and Sport, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Physical Planning, Construction and State Assets provided clarification on new regulations affecting private accommodation providers.

Kristjan Staničić, Director of the Croatian National Tourist Board, presented a detailed analysis of the sector as part of the initiative to introduce a new recognition label for family accommodation.

“Family-run accommodation accounts for 60% of Croatia’s commercial tourism capacity, with over 673,000 main beds. We want a recognizable quality label that reflects authenticity, guarantees hospitality, and promotes sustainable practices,” said Staničić, announcing a public call for creative proposals to design the visual identity of the new label, with a strong emphasis on the role of the ‘host’.

Engaged Participants and Forward-Thinking Topics

Barbara Marković, President of the Croatian Family Accommodation Association, noted high engagement on the first day of the congress.

“The atmosphere is positive, the hall is full, and the discussions have covered everything from fiscal obligations to sustainability and quality standards,” she said. She highlighted a presentation by the Split-Dalmatia County Tourist Board on the importance of theming and differentiating private accommodation, calling it crucial for competitiveness.

The program also included a workshop on artificial intelligence in tourism, with Marković stressing the relevance of digital tools for future growth.

Lorena John, President of the Istrian Family Accommodation Association, emphasized the importance of national-level events like this, noting that family accommodation represents 40% of all beds in Istria.

“The congress provides practical insights and legal clarifications that can immediately improve day-to-day operations,” she said.

What’s Next

The congress continues on Saturday, with sessions focused on:

• Legal rights and tax obligations of property owners

• The role of technology in tourism

• Categorization challenges

• Domestic and international booking platforms

• Best practices in promotion and sustainability

The event is organized by the Croatian Family Accommodation Association in partnership with the Istrian Family Accommodation Association.

Bad news for drivers—fuel prices are set to increase from Tuesday, RTL reports.

The latest price adjustment means that Eurosuper will now cost €1.47 per litre, marking a three-cent increase. The price of Eurodiesel will also rise, reaching €1.37 per litre, an increase of two cents. Additionally, blue diesel, commonly used in agriculture and fishing, will now be priced at €0.76 per litre, also up by two cents.

New Fuel Prices from Tuesday:

• Eurosuper: €1.47 (+€0.03)
• Eurodiesel: €1.37 (+€0.02)
• Blue Diesel: €0.76 (+€0.02)

Unusual in appearance and painted in vibrant colors, this ship captured our attention as we spotted it in the Port of Gruž. It is the Ocean Sentinel, a European Fisheries Inspection vessel responsible for overseeing fishing activities in both European and international waters. Additionally, it conducts maritime surveillance and pollution control.

It is one of three vessels in the fleet, of relatively recent construction, measuring 62 metres in length and 16 metres wide.

The introduction of tariffs by President Trump is not expected to have significant direct negative effects on the Croatian economy in the short term. However, more substantial negative consequences could be felt indirectly if a recession were to occur among Croatia’s key trading partners, according to the Croatian Employers’ Association (HUP) on Thursday.

On Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump announced new general tariffs of 10% on most imports into the United States, with higher “penalties” based on trade deficits for many, amounting to 20% in the case of the European Union. In fact the EU has around an average of a 2 percent tariff on goods imported from the US, highlighting that these tariffs are far from reciprocal. 

The EU is preparing a two-step response. The "initial response" will be adopted in mid-April and will apply to aluminum and steel, followed by broader measures targeting “all products and services” from the U.S., which should be ready by the end of April.

"HUP estimates that in the short term, there should not be significant direct negative effects on the Croatian economy, partly due to Croatia’s balanced trade relations with the U.S. However, more significant negative consequences could arise indirectly if a recession occurs among our most important trading partners—Germany, Italy, and Austria," HUP stated.

Under the new measures, which include a minimum tariff rate of 10% for all countries, Croatian exporters will fall under the EU tariff rate of 20%, HUP noted. They emphasized that the EU is taxed at a much lower tariff rate compared to China and other major global economies, which could increase the competitiveness of EU products in the U.S. market relative to products from other global economies.

The U.S. aims to raise import prices to protect domestic producers and reduce the trade deficit, which reached a record $1.2 trillion in 2024, according to business representatives. They also provided data showing that Croatia exported goods worth €805 million to the U.S. last year, sharing the fate of the EU, which maintains a significant trade surplus with the U.S.

The largest share of Croatia’s exports to the U.S. consists of pharmaceutical products (40%, or €319 million), which have been temporarily exempt from the tariff measures as they are considered crucial to the U.S. economy. This is followed by the production of electrical equipment (19% or €154 million) and finished metal products (16% or €132 million).

Tariffs' Negative Impact on GDP Estimated at 0.2 Percentage Points, But...

Previously, the negative impact on Croatia’s GDP was estimated to be around 0.2 percentage points (which could potentially be offset by increased orders in the defense industry). However, this initial estimate may be revised downward, especially if the EU retaliates with countermeasures, HUP stated.

They emphasized that Croatia, which heavily relies on exports, “will need to closely monitor the situation and adjust strategies to minimize negative consequences on the economy.”

This situation presents an opportunity for broad tax relief measures to strengthen the resilience of the Croatian economy, including labor tax reductions, limiting the number of sick leave days covered by employers, and better control of fraudulent sick leave claims, which represent a significant parafiscal burden, according to HUP.

HUP is therefore advocating for amendments to the Investment Promotion Act, including the removal of reductions in incentives for investments ranging from €55 million to €110 million, as well as the elimination of limits on incentives above €110 million. They are also pushing for tax incentives to encourage capital accumulation for investment in research and development (R&D).

Furthermore, they stress the need to strengthen energy competitiveness by equalizing electricity prices for businesses and households. They also call for the immediate unblocking of approximately €2.6 billion worth of investments in renewable energy sources (RES), which have been awaiting a decision from HERA on connection fees for the past three years.

The domestic air link between Dubrovnik and Zagreb has cemented its position as one of the busiest routes for Croatia’s capital airport in 2024. With 216,818 passengers traveling between the two cities, the route saw a 6.6% increase compared to 2023, reflecting continued demand for connectivity between the Adriatic coast and the country’s capital.

Despite being a domestic route, Dubrovnik-Zagreb ranked as the fourth busiest connection for Zagreb Airport, placing it ahead of many international destinations. The only routes surpassing it in passenger numbers were Frankfurt, which maintained the top spot with 294,000 passengers, followed by Amsterdam with 232,000 and Istanbul with 219,000. Just behind Dubrovnik was Munich, with 214,000 passengers.

The Dubrovnik-Zagreb service remains exclusively operated by Croatia Airlines, underlining its importance as a key domestic link. The steady increase in passenger numbers is indicative of both strong domestic demand and the route’s significance for business travelers, tourists, and those connecting to international flights from Zagreb.

The number of tickets sold for the concert of Marko Perković Thompson, set to take place at Zagreb’s Hippodrome on July 5, is approaching half a million, Thompson’s manager Zdravko Barišić told Nova TV on Thursday.

"As of 6 a.m. today, over 150,000 tickets have been sold again, and we are closely monitoring sales," Barišić said in an interview with Dnevnik Nove TV, confirming that the total number of tickets sold is nearing "half a million people."

Regarding the capacity of Zagreb’s Hippodrome, which will host Marko Perković Thompson’s record-breaking concert on Saturday, July 5, Barišić confirmed that additional space has been secured.

"We have purchased or leased an additional 100,000 square meters, and according to the Law on Public Gatherings and all relevant regulations, we are able to accommodate even more people who wish to be part of this historic moment," Thompson’s manager stated.

Security Concerns and Record-Breaking Sales

According to the ticket sales platform Entrio, over 280,000 tickets were sold in less than 24 hours during the initial sales phase last week, which they claim is a world record. Organizers later announced an increase in capacity and the continuation of ticket sales on Thursday at noon under the same conditions and prices.

As for security, Zagreb Mayor Tomislav Tomašević previously stated that it is the responsibility of the organizers, who are in contact with the police regarding the final number of attendees allowed at the Hippodrome.

Minister of the Interior Davor Božinović confirmed on Tuesday that "contact has been established" with Thompson’s team, following reports from the weekly Nacional that a special security task force is being formed for the event. The minister clarified that police regularly hold similar meetings before football matches attended by 20,000 to 30,000 people.

"In this case, it appears we are dealing with ten times that number, which means significantly more meetings and coordination efforts," Božinović said, adding that given the expected attendance, emergency services and city authorities must also be involved in the organization.

Due to the recent surge in foreign worker permit applications at the Dubrovnik-Neretva County Police Department, authorities have requested patience and understanding from applicants. To streamline the process, an afternoon shift has been introduced at administrative service counters, which now operate until 6 PM on weekdays.

Since the beginning of the year, the Dubrovnik-Neretva County Police Department has issued nearly 4,000 residence and work permits to foreign nationals. The increased demand began on April 1, as most employers requested permits to take effect on that date, reports HRT. 

Officials have been in contact with major hotel companies and hospitality representatives to clarify the required documentation, ensuring applicants do not need to visit multiple times. They also provide guidance on the best times to visit in order to avoid long queues. In cases where a labor market test or approval from the Croatian Employment Service is not required, employers do not need to visit the police station in person. Instead, applications for residence and work permits can be submitted via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Authorities advise applicants to take advantage of the afternoon working hours, as queues are significantly shorter than in the morning. They also emphasize the importance of submitting applications well in advance with all necessary documentation, rather than waiting until just before a foreign national is set to begin work.

The final night of the "blind auditions" for the 27th season of the American "The Voice" featured a performance by 20-year-old Simone Marijic. This talented University of Virginia student, born to a family of Croatian immigrants, chose Olivia Rodrigo’s song "Favorite Crime" for her performance.

The new season of the popular American music show "The Voice" brought numerous exciting moments and revealed new talents, but one moment particularly resonated with viewers of Croatian descent, reports Večernji List. 

Young singer Simone Marijic captivated the judges with her performance, and when she revealed her roots, there was an unexpected and charming reaction from judge and global star Michael Bublé. The popular singer revealed that he too has Croatian roots! The pair even exchaged a Croatian phrase - watch the video for the full reveal! 

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