Croatia is absolutely buzzing this year, with a jaw-dropping 16.9 million tourists swarming the country’s stunning shores in just eight months! That’s a 4% jump from last year, with 89.4 million overnight stays to match.

Top of the charts are holidaymakers from Germany, Slovenia, and Austria, who just can’t get enough of Croatia’s beaches, bringing in 2.5 million, 1.4 million, and 1.26 million visitors each. The biggest hotspots? Rovinj, Dubrovnik, Poreč, Split, and Umag – the places to be if you want to soak up the sun and sea vibes.

Tourism boss Tonci Glavina says these record-breaking numbers are all part of the plan to keep the crowds coming in, especially before and after the peak summer months. And get this – Croatia’s raking in the cash too, with €15.2 billion in tourism revenue expected this year, smashing records with a 4% increase!

The 17th edition of the running event, the Ston Marathon, will take place on September 22nd, with three race categories: 4 km, 15 km, and 42 km.

"The marathon attracts more and more runners each year, and so far 180 competitors from 25 countries have registered. We have basic and standard packages available. All runners will receive  packages, which include T-shirts and lunches. I hope, as every year, there will be plenty of participants from our county," said Fani Slade, director of the Ston Tourist Board.

The average monthly net salary paid to employees in legal entities in the City of Zagreb for June this year amounted to €1,509, which is a nominal decrease of 0.6% compared to May but an increase of 14.6% compared to June last year.

According to data from the City Office for Economy, Ecological Sustainability, and Strategic Planning, the highest average monthly net salary in legal entities for June was paid in the crude oil and natural gas extraction sector, amounting to €2,601.

On the other hand, the lowest salary was paid in the leather and related products manufacturing sector, at €871.

The median net salary for June was €1,274, meaning half of the employees earned less and half earned more than that amount.

Compared to the average monthly salary for June at the national level, which amounted to €1,315, the average net salary in Zagreb for that month was higher by €194.

The average monthly gross salary paid to employees in legal entities in the City of Zagreb for June this year amounted to €2,150, which is a decrease of 0.7% compared to May but an increase of 14.9% compared to June 2023.

The Ministry of Science, Education, and Youth has released the average and median salaries of teachers in both primary and secondary schools. These are the salaries paid in July of this year, and the published table also includes the average age of teachers, reports dnevnik.hr

A primary school teacher with a coefficient of 2.01 received an average net salary of 1,542 euros in July, with the median being 1,563 euros.

Mentor teachers with a coefficient of 2.17 have an average net salary of 1,709 euros, and the median is 1,716 euros.

Advisory teachers received an average net salary of 1,901 euros, with the median at 1,895 euros. Excellent advisory teachers, with the highest coefficient of 2.62, received an average net salary of 2,095 euros, with the median being 2,071 euros.

A secondary school teacher with a coefficient of 2.01 has an average net salary of 1,559 euros, with the median being 1,558 euros.

Mentor teachers with a coefficient of 2.17 received an average net salary of 1,722 euros, and the median is 1,711 euros.

Advisory teachers with a coefficient of 2.38 received an average net salary of 1,916 euros, and the median is 1,899 euros. Excellent advisory teachers (coefficient 2.62) have an average net salary of 2,107 euros, with the median salary at 2,083 euros.

Storms once again rolled over Dubrovnik this afternoon, and one scene from the Pelješac Channel, between the island of Korčula and Pelješac was truly frightening.

A huge waterspout rose over the Adriatic Sea sweeping water into the air.

Waterspouts are the result of warm and cold air colliding, and they are usually followed by a storm. Thunder, wind—it looks extremely dangerous, and often is for those out at sea, but it's also a thrill to capture such a display of nature’s power.

The Mayor of Dubrovnik, Mato Franković, met with the Austrian Ambassador to Croatia, H.E. Josef Markus Wuketich, to discuss ongoing cooperation between Dubrovnik and Austria. Key topics included enhancing ties around the Festivities of Saint Blaise and the Day of Dubrovnik, both important cultural events for the city.

During his visit, Ambassador Wuketich attended a Gershwin concert at the Rector’s Palace, featuring Austrian pianist Karl Eichinger and the Dubrovnik Symphony Orchestra. The event was organized in collaboration with the Austrian Cultural Forum.

This year also marks 30 years of Dubrovnik's sister city relationship with Graz and the 25th anniversary of the Croatian-Austrian Society in Dubrovnik.

Both sides emphasized the importance of continuing their successful cultural cooperation.

Dubrovnik artist Iris Lobaš Kukavičić showcased her "Dimensions of Identity" series at the Supetar Hotel in Cavtat as part of the SupetART project. This initiative, through an artist-in-residence program, allows local artists to display their work in a hotel setting.

Lobaš Kukavičić's art, inspired by street art, explores identity's fluidity through perforated painting surfaces. Her work reveals the inner layers of identity, emphasizing the connection between internal and external aspects.

At the exhibition's opening, Lobaš Kukavičić explained that her art represents the interplay between an individual's inner world and social conditions. She aims to inspire introspection on how identity evolves in the modern world.

Nikoleta Kušelj from Adriatic Luxury Hotels highlighted that the collaboration between the hotel's ambiance and Lobaš Kukavičić's vibrant art provides a unique experience for visitors.

Born in Dubrovnik in 1976, Lobaš Kukavičić is an associate professor at the University of Dubrovnik's Department of Art and Restoration. She has a diverse artistic background, including painting, sculpture, and multimedia installations, and has exhibited widely in Croatia and abroad. Her work includes public sculptures in various cities and collaborations in graphic design.

The SupetART project, started last year by Adriatic Luxury Hotels, aims to showcase local culture and creativity, bringing together artists and audiences in a unique setting.

Zagreb Airport is flying high after handling a whopping 439,008 passengers in August, its busiest month on record! For the third month in a row, the airport welcomed over 400,000 travellers, with numbers soaring by 14.4% compared to last year.

This surge in passengers comes alongside a 9.7% boost in flights, with 4,651 planes taking off and landing in August alone. So far this year, a staggering 2.84 million people have passed through the airport’s doors – that’s up 16.2% from 2023, with an extra 395,810 passengers.

And there’s no sign of slowing down! September is set to be another bumper month, with seat capacity already up 16.2%.