The once-luxurious military resort Kupari, near Dubrovnik, has been a dormant symbol of lost grandeur for three decades. Destroyed during the Homeland War and left untouched by its successive owners, this expansive tourist complex is finally poised for transformation. Preparations are now underway for the demolition of the derelict hotels, setting the stage for one of Croatia’s most significant tourism projects.

Photo - Mark Thomas 

In recent years, the ruins of Kupari have served as backdrops for war films and adventurous reality shows. Kate Winslet used it as a backdrop for the war film Lee and the most popular YouTuber in the world, Mr. Beast, also filmed a show there. Today, the site is abuzz with activity as protective fencing has been installed, a security service is present, and machinery is being delivered. Contractors are systematically clearing the area, separating waste, and performing other preparatory tasks to facilitate demolition. According to information directly from the team at the site today the whole demolition will start "in about ten days." And although it will be a long drawn out process it won't be as noisy as the team will not be using explosives but just mechanical diggers to destroy the former hotels. 

Mayor Silvio Nardelli of Župa Dubrovačka confirmed to HRT that, “We hope the actual demolition work will begin by the end of the month or at the start of the next, depending on the issuance of the location permit.” The Ministry of Physical Planning is expected to grant the permit by February, with a construction permit anticipated in May.

The redevelopment project, led by the Singaporean company Hotel Properties Limited (HPL), aims to restore the Grand Hotel (a protected cultural site) while constructing two new hotels and four large luxury villas. The resort will feature a total of 380 beds, marking its status as a five-star destination. Hotel Properties Limited is a Singapore-based company involved in hotel ownership, management, and property development. Founded in 1980 by Ong Beng Seng, HPL has established a reputation for luxury properties and resorts worldwide.

Photo - Mark Thomas 

Minister of Physical Planning, Construction, and State Property, Branko Bačić, stated, “According to the contract with the investor, the entire complex is to be completed within 48 months from the issuance of the construction permit.”

Infrastructure upgrades are integral to the project, including stormwater drainage, electricity supply enhancements, and the reconstruction of the Taranta River. A new high-voltage power transmission network will be constructed between Plat and Mlini, and additional work will improve the stretch from Srebreno to Kupari.

To minimize environmental impact, materials from the demolition process—expected to take seven months—will be recycled and repurposed as infill for the luxury resort’s construction.

Photo - Mark Thomas

During the works, pedestrian access to the beach has been maintained, ensuring minimal disruption to locals and visitors. The long-awaited revitalization of Kupari is a momentous step forward for Župa Dubrovačka and Croatia’s tourism sector, blending historical preservation with modern luxury.

Once a site of nostalgia and decay, Kupari is now on track to becoming one of Croatia’s premier luxury destinations, showcasing the potential of thoughtful redevelopment.

Starting Monday, January 20, comprehensive renovation works on the Zagreb Funicular will begin, with completion expected by March 2026, ZET announced on Friday.

The project, titled "Revitalization of the Zagreb Funicular," includes construction work on the renovation of the upper and lower stations, repairs to the track and viaduct, modernization of the propulsion system, installation of new cabins, and improvements to accessibility, according to ZET.

They emphasize that this way, our "Old Lady," after 50 years since its last renovation, will finally receive a well-deserved makeover, ensuring it remains a proud symbol of Zagreb for many years to come.

The funicular has been connecting the Lower and Upper Towns for 134 years and is one of Zagreb's most iconic landmarks. ZET states that preserving it for future generations is their responsibility.

During the renovation period, ZET recommends that residents and visitors use bus lines 105 (Kaptol – British Square) and 150 (Tuškanac Garage – Upper Town – Ban Josip Jelačić Square) to travel to the Upper Town.

Through the Public Needs Program in Culture for 2025, the City of Dubrovnik is co-financing 107 cultural programs outside the activities of cultural institutions it has founded.

A total of 450,000 euros has been allocated for this purpose, which is 36% more than last year and 115% more than in 2023.

The agreements for the use of funds were handed over to the beneficiaries by Dubrovnik Deputy Mayor Jelka Tepšić.

Irish low-cost airline Ryanair announced that this summer it will suspend or reduce the number of flights at seven airports in Spain due to excessive fees imposed by the state airport operator, Aena. Croatia is expected to be one of the countries that could gain more flights as a result.

Ryanair will cease flights to the cities of Jerez and Valladolid. It will also reduce the number of flights from Vigo, Santiago de Compostela, Zaragoza, Santander, and Asturias Airport.

Overall, it will reduce capacity on 12 routes by 18% and eliminate around 800,000 passenger seats compared to last summer, the Irish carrier said.

The airline, which is the largest in Spain in terms of passenger numbers, announced the redistribution of aircraft and capacity to Croatia, Italy, Sweden, Hungary, and Morocco, "where governments encourage growth," they added.

Ryanair has been complaining for years about the airport fees charged by Spain's Aena, despite a freeze during the COVID-19 pandemic and a decision by the competition watchdog in December to block an increase planned for 2025.

More than 309 million passengers traveled through Aena’s Spanish airports in 2024, marking a record for the company. Spain also attracted a record number of foreign tourists overall last year. Spanish authorities expect continued growth in tourism this year.

The Dubrovnik-Neretva County Tourist Board is participating for the third time in a row at the Ferien Messe in Vienna, one of the most important tourism events in Austria.

The fair is being held from January 16 to 19, 2025, and the Dubrovnik-Neretva County Tourist Board will be featured as a co-exhibitor at the Croatian National Tourist Board’s shared stand, which spans an impressive 216 m². 

A special attraction at the stand will be the promotion of premium Croatian wines, organized by the Croatian National Tourist Board in collaboration with the Croatian Chamber of Economy. Wine tastings will take place daily in the central part of the stand from 12:00 to 17:00, offering visitors a unique gastronomic experience.

Ferien Messe Vienna is the perfect event for all travel and leisure enthusiasts. This prestigious fair provides tailored holiday offers, activity tips, and a wealth of inspiration for future adventures, as well as opportunities to explore exclusive destinations and experiences.

Despite challenges, the Dubrovnik-Neretva County remains popular among Austrian tourists. In 2024, there were 33,112 arrivals and 161,064 overnight stays by Austrian tourists, marking a decrease of 8% in arrivals and 9% in overnight stays compared to the previous year.

One of the popular ways to pass time or cool off is by playing games. Some individuals play games for gain, including professional gamers, streamers, and gamblers. However, gaming, especially frequently, can impact your soft skills in real life. Find out the various effects of gaming by reading this review till the end.

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Top 6 Skills Acquired Through Gaming

1. Problem Solving and Critical Thinking

Strategic or puzzling games tend to improve your problem-solving skills. Recreational variants involving a puzzle, riddle, or maze are great options for improving one's critical thinking skills. 

In the case of gambling, playing tabletop games could have a similar effect on your problem-solving soft skills. These are blackjack and poker primarily, which involve a lot of strategy and planning. Outsmarting challenges improves your ability to quickly find solutions to real-life problems.

2. Team-Based Games and Communication Skills

Another soft skill you can improve through gaming is your ability to work with others to achieve great results. Many games out there have multiplayer options. Playing these co-op games can help improve your ability to work in teams, communicate effectively, and perform better.

Multiplayer or team-based gaming involves a lot of listening, negotiations, and sometimes conflict resolution. All of these game activities or issues come up in real-life situations, too. Perfecting these gaming skills can be a good influence on your capacity to do your job better in real life.

3. Time Management and Decision-Making in Fast-Paced Games

You have to think fast and come up with subsequent decisions in a split second when playing games online. In gambling options like poker, you would have to most times decide quickly on whether to bet, fold, or even bluff.

Being able to time your decisions effectively can help you improve your responses in such situations in real time. Knowing how to deal with time-sensitive challenges enables you to prioritize effectively and think quickly under pressure. These might be good additions or improvements to your real-life soft skill catalog.

4. The Role of Games in Building Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence helps to get positive results in almost all scenarios in gaming and real life. Being able to handle failure and learn from your mistakes could help you do better in gaming and life.

Managing your frustrations effectively without showing them on your face in games like poker can keep you in the game. You can turn around these opportunities by bluffing and forcing your opponents to fold in certain situations. Also, knowing when to let go or stop goes a long way in sustaining gaming and real-life successes. 

5. Leadership Skills Through Strategy and Role-Playing Games

In strategic recreational games, players in teams often have different roles. At least one individual may act as the lead. Taking up such roles when gaming can help improve your leadership and managerial skills in real life. 

Knowing how to manage resources, plan effectively, and achieve positive results could benefit you in real life. Developing objectives, delegating tasks, and planning strategically when gaming can help you deal with similar day-to-day activities. Especially at your day-to-day job.

6. Adaptability and Creativity Through Gaming Challenges

Being able to think outside the box in critical situations can be a great life skill. Playing games in which you have to adapt to different scenarios can help boost your creative flexibility in real life. For example, while exploring online slot games like those highlighted in the Big Bass slot at https://slotspeak.net/big-bass-slots-get-more-reel-action-in-2-new-fishing-adventures/, players must adapt to changing gameplay mechanics and maximize opportunities for success.

You will learn to never be constricted to only one path while understanding several other roads may lead to success. So, we recommend playing games that pose challenges, thus encouraging thinking outside the box.

Balancing Gaming and Real-Life Skill Application

Anything in life can be addictive. Gaming addictions can be damaging and may ruin your life if care is not taken. You need to balance your gaming time and the time you spend doing other life activities. Do not allow gaming to replace real-life experiences because it is pretty easy to get lost in there.

It is best to play only for recreational purposes, especially after a long day at work or during your leisure periods. However, if you are playing games as a career, you need to take intermittent breaks. Also, if you enjoy staking on your games, as in casino gambling, you need to do so responsibly.

All in all, managing your gaming activities effectively could positively impact your day-to-day soft skills.

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).