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
According to data from the eVisitor system, the first six days of January in Dubrovnik recorded 3,221 tourist arrivals and nearly 11,500 overnight stays—13% fewer than in the same period last year.
In addition to domestic visitors, the most numerous guests are from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Germany, Slovenia, Albania, and Montenegro. Currently, 428 tourists are staying in the city, which is only a third of the number recorded on the same date in 2024.
The festive stands in Dubrovnik, on Stradun, are being dismantled, marking the end of the Dubrovnik Winter Festival. Trucks are on Stradun, and the stands are being taken down one by one, awaiting the next occasion.
However, considering the City’s announcements, we’ll see what Stradun will even look like next year, how many booths there will be—if there are any at all.
Inflation in the Eurozone picked up pace in December, with consumer prices in Croatia surging almost twice as fast as the average, according to preliminary calculations by the European statistical office published on Tuesday.
The annual inflation rate in the Eurozone, measured by the Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (HICP), reached 2.4% in December, marking an acceleration for the third consecutive month.
The trend of milder price growth ended in October, when inflation rose to 2.0%. Revised data showed a further increase to 2.2% in November.
In December, services saw the steepest price hike, up by 4%, slightly higher than the previous month. Fresh food prices rose by 1.7% compared to the same period last year, showing a significant slowdown compared to November.
Energy prices edged up by just 0.1% in December year-over-year, following declines of 2.0% in November, 4.6% in October, and 6.1% in September.
Excluding energy and fresh food, core inflation in the Eurozone stood at 2.8% in December, marginally higher than in November.
On a monthly basis, prices in the Eurozone increased by 0.4% in December, reversing a 0.3% drop from the previous month.
Croatia recorded the highest annual inflation rate among Eurozone countries in December, with prices soaring by 4.5%, up from 4.0% in November. Monthly prices increased by 0.2% after stagnating the previous month.
According to Croatia's State Statistics Bureau (DZS), consumer prices in December were 3.4% higher than in December 2023, with a monthly increase of 0.1%.
Belgium followed closely, with prices rising 4.4% year-over-year. Estonia also crossed the 4.0% mark.
Ireland experienced the lowest inflation in the Eurozone at the end of 2024, with prices increasing by just 1%. Italy and Luxembourg followed with rises of 1.4% and 1.6%, respectively, as reported by Eurostat.
To complete Croatia's highway network, one critical segment is still missing: a modern road connecting the southernmost region to the rest of the country.
The highway from Metković to Dubrovnik will be constructed in two phases—first from Metković to the Pelješac Bridge and then from Dol to Dubrovnik. The latter section will be prioritized.
According to HRT, this will be the most expensive highway in Croatia, with an estimated cost of €1.2 billion.
Construction is dependent on completing public tenders and obtaining various permits. The most optimistic projections suggest work could start this year and finish by 2029. However, one major challenge remains: the lack of a fast road connecting Dubrovnik to the airport and Montenegro’s border.
Out of the 28 kilometers planned, 19 will consist of viaducts and tunnels. Work on the sections from Rudine to Slano and from Slano to Mravinjac is expected to begin soon.
"This is practically the worst possible terrain for highway construction," said Associate Professor Marko Ševrović from the University of Zagreb’s Faculty of Transport and Traffic Sciences. "The route runs through a very narrow area, bordered by the sea on one side and Bosnia and Herzegovina on the other. The project involves numerous viaducts, bridges, and tunnels. Additionally, the area is densely populated, making junction placement and road functionality critical."
The project is expected to be completed by 2029, with local and regional officials optimistic about a swift start.
"The tender is expected to close early this month, with the contractor selected shortly after. We hope there will be no appeals, although we cannot rule it out," said Nikola Dobroslavić, Prefect of Dubrovnik-Neretva County. "We aim to begin physical construction this year. While the highway is expensive, the strategic, economic, and security importance of connecting Dubrovnik with the rest of Croatia is priceless."
The new highway, spanning 47 kilometers with an additional 15 kilometers of connecting roads, promises to reduce traffic congestion and improve safety.
"Safety is perhaps the most critical aspect of this highway," Ševrović added. "The current D8 state road is highly dangerous, with frequent accidents. If for no other reason, this highway is necessary to enhance safety. But of course, it will also integrate Dubrovnik into Croatia’s highway network."
As the festive season comes to a close, many Dubrovnik residents may be wondering how to dispose of their Christmas trees in an eco-friendly manner. Starting yesterday, Monday, January 6, 2025, the City of Dubrovnik has announced a simple and sustainable solution.
Christmas trees and pines can be left at Čistoća collection points next to waste containers. Workers from Čistoća will pick up the discarded trees using special trucks and transport them to roll-off containers for processing.
The trees won’t go to waste—once collected, they’ll be taken to the composting facility in Metković, where they will be turned into environmentally friendly compost.
This initiative ensures that holiday clean-up is as green as the season itself, making it easier for residents to dispose of their trees responsibly while contributing to sustainability efforts.
London’s roads have officially been crowned Europe’s worst for traffic in 2024, with frustrated drivers spending a whopping 101 hours in jams.
According to traffic boffins at analytics company Inrix, that’s a 2% rise on the previous year – and it’s costing a fortune. The capital’s gridlock racked up a jaw-dropping £3.85 billion bill (€4.65 billion), which breaks down to £942 per driver.
It’s not just Europe where London is struggling. The city’s congestion levels ranked it as the fifth worst in the world. Topping the global list was Istanbul, where traffic chaos reigns supreme.
But it’s not just Londoners pulling their hair out. Paris came in as Europe’s second-worst hotspot, with drivers delayed for 97 hours, while Dublin wasn’t far behind with 81 hours wasted behind the wheel.
Inrix revealed the grim stats after crunching data from mobile phones in vehicles, showing just how clogged up cities have become.
When it comes to traffic jams, it seems London is in the fast lane – to nowhere!
Rising basketball sensation Caitlin Clark couldn’t hide her love for Croatia during a chat on the podcast hosted by NFL stars and brothers Jason and Travis Kelce. The University of Iowa standout, known for her dazzling skills on the court, revealed that her international travels left her smitten with the Adriatic gem.
When asked about her favorite memory from her time in Iowa, Caitlin recalled trips abroad, having visited both Italy and Croatia. But when it came to picking a favorite, she didn’t hesitate: "Honestly, Croatia!"
The 21-year-old athlete gushed about her experience, saying, "It’s amazing. I was in Split and Dubrovnik. It’s clean, the sea is beautiful, there’s so much to do, and the food is excellent."
Her glowing review didn’t go unnoticed by the Kelce brothers, who chimed in with their own connection to the country. The NFL superstars revealed they’d recently discovered their Croatian heritage and agreed that Croatia has a reputation for being an incredible destination.
@marca.en Caitlin Clark’s best experience as a player in Iowa!????✨ Would you visit Croatia????????? #caitlinclark #kelce #traviskelce #jasonkelce #nba #wnba #football #sports ♬ sonido original - MARCA in English ????????
Today, January 6th, marks Epiphany, a significant Christian feast day and a public holiday in Croatia. Known as "Sveta tri kralja" (Holy Three Kings) in Croatian, it commemorates the visit of the Three Wise Men to the infant Jesus, symbolizing the revelation of Christ to the world.
Across the country, Epiphany is a day of reflection and tradition. Epiphany also signals the end of the festive season for many, with Christmas trees and decorations traditionally taken down after this day. Being a public holiday, businesses and schools are closed, giving Croatians a chance to spend time with loved ones and observe this important cultural and religious tradition.