Dubrovnik Mayor to Prime Minister: Without international flights Dubrovnik economy will not survive

Written by Ivana Smilović Apr 29, 2020

The Mayor of the City of Dubrovnik, Mato Frankovic, held a meeting with members of the Economic Council about the economic situation caused by the coronavirus epidemic and the effects on the 2020 tourist season.

Sector representatives presented current business concerns and expectations. Considering its territorial specificity and the fact that tourism is the most important branch of economy in the Dubrovnik area, we are entering the most uncertain tourist season since the Homeland War.

Dubrovnik is completely an airline destination and if international flights connections are not possible during the tourist season 2020, there is a threat of complete collapse.

At the meeting it was pointed out that because of the above mentioned things, Dubrovnik should be viewed in a special way in relation to all other tourist cities in the Republic of Croatia.

In order to achieve synergy and co-operation, all for the purpose of economic progress and further development of the City, the conclusion of the Economic Council is that it is necessary to send a letter to the Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia Andrej Plenkovic and Minister of Tourism Gary Cappelli requesting the approval of the introduction of charter flights with destinations in the European Union, but also with the UK - as the most important travel market of the city of Dubrovnik, respecting all epidemiological measures and specific protocols.

It is also suggested to allow private aircrafts to arrive at the airport as well as the arrival of mega yachts, provided that passengers have a document no older than 48 hours before boarding which confirms that the passenger is not COVID-19 positive.

Dubrovnik is highly financially dependent on tourism and, by acting jointly, it is necessary to enable the people of Dubrovnik to do business in the 2020 season, which will certainly be weaker due to the epidemic effect.

The view of all Economic Council is that almost 80 percent of the Dubrovnik economy will not survive until the spring of 2021 unless international air transport is enabled.