Croatia, Slovenia, and Austria have launched a joint promotional campaign in the large and important U.S. market. The campaign, titled "Alps-Adriatic-Amazing," is being conducted by the Croatian National Tourist Board and its office in New York, the Slovenian Tourist Board (STO), and the Austrian National Tourist Office (ANTO), all with the goal of further positioning the three countries as attractive year-round destinations for American travel enthusiasts.

“Croatia and Slovenia have successfully carried out numerous joint projects in distant markets such as China and Australia, and we are especially pleased that Austria has joined us in presenting on the significant U.S. market. We expect very good results from this collaboration, especially considering that the U.S. market is the most important long-haul market for Croatian tourism, generating the highest tourist traffic. It’s important to note that visitors from distant markets often travel outside the peak summer months and frequently visit multiple destinations during their stay in Croatia, often combining our country with other European destinations, making us part of their broader European itinerary,” stated Kristjan Staničić, Director of the Croatian National Tourist Board, adding that Croatia saw an 8% increase in arrivals and a 6% increase in overnight stays from the U.S. market in the first eight months of this year.

The campaign also includes marketing cooperation with the renowned travel magazine Condé Nast Traveler USA, where over 12 million impressions are expected across their platforms. The funds for this campaign have been provided by the European Union through the European Travel Commission (ETC) program, “Co-branding of Promotional Campaigns,” which allows for 50% co-financing of the project. The campaign also aims to promote Europe as a leading global tourist destination.

“Last year, we recorded an impressive 28% increase in overnight stays by American guests in Slovenia, reaching the highest number to date. This year, we are seeing an additional 17% increase, demonstrating growing interest from American tourists in our country. Slovenia’s targeted promotional activities in the U.S. market are enhanced by this joint campaign with Austria and Croatia. We believe that by joining forces in distant markets like the U.S., we can achieve even more remarkable results. This campaign tells a unique story about a region stretching from the Alps to the Adriatic, offering a rich and diverse experience. We are confident that the campaign will strengthen Slovenia’s position among leading European destinations, attracting many American travelers with its unique nature and sustainable approach,” said Maja Pak Olaj, Director of the Slovenian Tourist Board.

Since the campaign aims to inspire future and potential visitors to travel to Europe by offering suggestions and recommendations for activities across all three countries, its focus is on natural heritage, culture, gastronomy, sustainability, and inclusivity, presented through the concept of "slow, relaxed travel."

“Our market research has shown that many Americans visit Austria in combination with one or more of its neighboring countries. Visiting southern Austria along with Slovenia and Croatia provides American guests with a unique experience and a fresh perspective on the European tourist map,” said Astrid Steharnig-Staudinger, Director of the Austrian National Tourist Office.

Geographically, the campaign’s promotional activities in Croatia are focused on Zagreb, Zagorje, Kvarner, and the Zadar County, while Austria is concentrating on the southern part of the country, with destinations such as Graz and the Carinthia region. The primary target group is the American FIT (Free Independent Travelers) segment with high spending power.

Finally, it is planned that by the end of this year, the campaign will be presented at one of the B2B events in the U.S. dedicated to luxury and premium tourism.

After Lopud attracted lovers of film and music this summer, this September will debut a two-day literary event that will bring together renowned writers and intellectuals.

Next week, the island of Lopud will, for the first time, host the Ponta Lopud Book Bridge, an event that will take place on September 27 and 28, bringing together writers, academics, and scientists from Croatia, Ireland, and other European countries. This unique literary gathering, set in the inspiring and history-rich surroundings of the Rector’s Palace, aims to create a platform for connecting cultures through the timeless power of the written word.

"We believe literature has a unique ability to unite people. Through Ponta Lopud Book Bridge, we hope to foster deep conversations that not only highlight our shared human experiences but also inspire the creation of new works," said one of the organizers, James Candon.

The event will be opened on Friday with welcoming speeches by James Candon, linguist and writer Ivana Lovrić Jović, and Irish Ambassador Wendy Dorman-Smith. The program offers a range of engaging content, with several authors presenting their books and revealing the creative processes behind them through discussions with visitors. Special attention is given to storytelling and creative workshops, where attendees will, for example, learn about the importance of finding a personal narrative or explore their creative potential in a poetry workshop led by award-winning young writer Katja Knežević. Ivana Lovrić Jović will address the important issue of sexism in contemporary language. In addition to the literary aspects, part of the program focuses on intellectual exchange: a particularly exciting discussion will take place between renowned economist David McWilliams and trade unionist Adrian Kane, moderated by Dalibor Šimpraga, who will shed light on the relationships between capital and labor and their impact on society. At a roundtable moderated by Staša Aras, Alison Langley, Paul Fagan, Cauvery Madhavan, and Wendy Erskine will explore how literature shapes public opinion and politics.

“With already established film and jazz festivals, the Ponta Lopud creative platform is delighted to open the doors to its first literary event. Through this inspiring gathering, Lopud will host all lovers of literature – from professionals to enthusiasts. All will enrich the island with their presence, while the island will reciprocate with its natural beauty and uniqueness. A big thanks to James Candon for this extraordinary initiative, to all the guests, and to our fantastic team who helped turn this beautiful idea into reality," said Tilda Grossel Bogdanović, founder of the Ponta Lopud creative platform.

The Ponta Lopud Book Bridge plans to be held annually and will undoubtedly become a must-attend event on Croatia’s cultural calendar, offering a space for established authors and young talents to meet and build new cultural bridges. Admission is free for all visitors on both days.

The Ponta Lopud creative platform hosts and presents three summer cultural programs in 2024, welcoming all art lovers, especially those interested in film, music, and literature. The Ponta Lopud Summer Screenings, the first of the three events, celebrating the art of film, was held from June 27 to 29. The second event, the popular Ponta Lopud Jazz Festival, attracted music lovers to the island from August 29 to 31. The new addition to this year’s platform is the Ponta Lopud Book Bridge, which will take place on September 27 and 28, concluding this year's events and closing the cultural and artistic season of Lopud.

For more information, visit pontalopud.hr and the social media pages of the Ponta Lopud creative platform!

The Dubrovnik-Neretva County Tourist Board, as a co-exhibitor at the Croatian National Tourist Board's stand, is participating in the IFTM Top Resa Paris fair, which takes place from September 17th to 19th this year.

In addition to representatives from the Dubrovnik-Neretva County Tourist Board, representatives from the Zagreb Tourist Board, Plitvice Lakes National Park, the Šibenik-Knin County Tourist Board, and Croatia Airlines are also participating at the Croatian National Tourist Board's stand.

The fair is being held for the 44th time and is the most important French international travel and tourism fair. IFTM Top Resa is an exclusively business-oriented fair aimed at tourism professionals, showcasing around 200 destinations and expecting over 30,000 visitors.

In the first eight months of this year, Dubrovnik-Neretva County was visited by 113,576 French tourists, who generated 389,224 overnight stays.

The luxury superyacht Luminance made a grand appearance in Dubrovnik today. Valued at a staggering €500 million, this floating marvel has just hit the waters this year and is already making waves.

At just under 140 meters long, Luminance is a true behemoth, crafted by the renowned German shipbuilders at Lürssen Yachts. It’s currently ranked 21st on the global list of the largest yachts.
The owner of Luminance, according to the New York Times, is the Ukrainian billionaire Rinat Akhmetov. He is the founder of investment holding company System Capital Management.

The Luminance isn’t just about size—it’s about luxury. It boasts accommodation for up to 40 guests, ensuring plenty of space for relaxation and entertainment. Onboard, guests can indulge in a spa treatment, visit the cosmetic salon, or enjoy the exclusive beach club. Other high-end features include underwater lighting, a state-of-the-art gym, a jacuzzi on the deck, and all the modern conveniences like WiFi and air conditioning.

In a recent online poll conducted by Jutarnji List, 42,484 readers selected Dubrovnik as the top tourist destination in Croatia. Following Dubrovnik, the next most popular destinations are Zadar and Mali Lošinj.

This result reaffirms Dubrovnik's esteemed status, not only among tourism experts but also among the many readers of Jutarnji List. The city’s ongoing efforts in sustainable tourism have been widely recognized by tourism professionals.

In 2023, Dubrovnik garnered significant accolades, including prestigious international awards, and was notably named "Tourist Destination of the Year—Champion of Croatian Tourism" at the Croatian Tourism Days in Rovinj. This recognition underscores Dubrovnik’s excellence, attractiveness, and commitment to sustainable tourism.

Dubrovnik continues to attract high-profile visitors, with its stunning scenery and world-class dining drawing celebrities from around the globe. The latest famous guest to grace the city's renowned Fish Restaurant Proto is none other than NBA legend Toni Kukoč.

Kukoč, a former Chicago Bulls star and member of the iconic team led by Michael Jordan, chose Proto to indulge in the restaurant's celebrated seafood specialties. The Croatian basketball legend follows in the footsteps of other NBA greats, including Magic Johnson, Norman Powell, and Michael Jordan, all of whom have enjoyed the restaurant’s top-notch cuisine.

“Toni Kukoč was incredibly warm and personable. He loved the atmosphere on our terrace and savored our fish dishes,” said Kosta Vukota, manager of Proto and director of the company Esculap-Teo.

Kukoč's visit reaffirms Fish Restaurant Proto’s reputation as a favorite among international celebrities. As Dubrovnik's culinary scene continues to flourish, Proto stands out not only for its exquisite menu but also for offering a memorable gastronomic experience that keeps attracting the world’s most famous guests.

This latest high-profile visit is further proof that Proto remains one of the top dining destinations in Dubrovnik.

In Opuzen, the second ecological underwater action to clean the Neretva River bed, named "EKO Mala Rika," was successfully held. Divers from ERK "Malo More" Komarna, HRK Neum, ERK Puntar Split, SEU Hercegovina, Marko Rodin, KPA Explorer Sarajevo, and firefighters from JVP Metković participated in the ecological event.

In addition to its ecological nature, i.e., cleaning the Neretva River bed, the primary goal of the action is to encourage the community to become more environmentally aware, manage waste more responsibly, and carefully handle the resources at our disposal.

The ecological action was carried out as part of the "ZaMore" project, organized by the Tourist Board of the City of Opuzen, co-organized by the City of Opuzen and ŠREK Delta 5 Metković, and sponsored by the Tourist Board of Dubrovnik-Neretva County.

The weather this year has been unkind to the artists participating in the fourth edition of the Sand Art Neretva Festival, a sand drawing event at the Neretva River mouth.

A high tide, preceded by showers on Saturday, spoiled the work of the creatives, who did not give up until the last moment and began early Sunday morning turning the sand into monumental spatial drawings using rakes, sticks, and their own imagination.

This beautiful, but unfortunately short-lived exhibition, on the sandbank in Neretva was filmed from the air by drone, with the 'exhibits' inspired by geometry and elements of local and various other cultures and traditions.

Despite the weather-related obstacles, the festival was held thanks to the enthusiasm of the artists and the support of the Tourist Board of the City of Ploče, the Croatian Tour-ist Board, the Dubrovnik-Neretva County Tourist Board, and the City of Ploče.