As global trade tensions between the United States and China escalate, Croatia may begin to feel the ripple effects—particularly through its close ties to key European economies, according to Croatian National Bank Governor Boris Vujčić.

Speaking to HTV’s evening news, Vujčić emphasized that while Croatia’s direct exposure to a potential trade war is minimal, the indirect impact could be more significant due to the country’s economic interdependence with Germany and Italy.

“Only about 1% of Croatia’s GDP comes from exports to the United States, and 40% of that is pharmaceuticals,” Vujčić explained. “If the pharmaceutical sector is excluded from potential tariffs, the direct consequences will be very limited.”

However, indirect effects remain a concern. Germany and Italy—Croatia’s largest trading partners—are both deeply integrated into global supply chains and highly sensitive to disruptions in international trade. Any decline in their industrial output or economic growth due to a tariff-driven slowdown could negatively affect Croatia’s exports, investment, and overall economic momentum.

The Minister of Tourism and Sports Tonči Glavina said on Sunday that Croatia can be satisfied with its tourism results so far this year, noting that the pre-season is promising, with an increase of around 4%.

"For the first four months, the numbers are quite satisfactory—we’ve seen about a 4% increase. And given that Easter fell later this year, in line with our projections, we believe the entire pre-season will be very strong. We also expect a very good post-season," said Minister Glavina in an interview with Croatian National Television (HTV).

As for the peak tourist season, Glavina urged caution.

"We’re dealing with circumstances—namely geopolitical instability—that are not in our favor. (...) The fact is that such instability and tariffs have led the European Central Bank to revise its economic forecasts for Europe, the EU, and the eurozone downward," he added.

In this context, the minister emphasized that matching last year’s numbers would be considered a success, although the goal remains to maintain a trend of revenue growth.

“We’ve Chosen Sustainability as Our Future Path”

Glavina highlighted revenue as one of the key indicators of tourism performance. However, he stressed the need to move beyond simply counting arrivals and overnight stays.

"We need to focus on several key parameters—how many new jobs were created, how tourism positively impacted the overall Croatian economy, and especially how satisfied the local population is with tourism," he said.

"We have chosen sustainability as our path forward, and it’s crucial to maintain a healthy balance so that our citizens remain happy with tourism," Glavina emphasized.

He also pointed out that price competitiveness remains one of the most important factors influencing a visitor’s choice of destination.

Well-Prepared for the Season

The minister said Croatia is well-prepared for the season.

"We attended seven fairs in Germany alone. We've done a lot to present Croatia as a country that offers good value for money. But I urge all tourism workers to help us achieve the best possible results across all parameters," he said.

Glavina also announced that on Monday, the Croatian National Tourist Board (HTZ) will present a new recognition label for family accommodation, detailing the conditions for obtaining it, its benefits, and the measures by which HTZ and the tourism board system will brand and position Croatian private accommodation as a distinct and valuable element of national tourism.

In conclusion, Glavina expressed confidence that with consistent, high-quality efforts—as in previous years—family-run accommodation will continue to be a strong value-add for Croatian tourism.

The Dubrovnik-Neretva County celebrated its County Day and the feast of its heavenly patron, Saint Leopold Bogdan Mandić. On this occasion, a ceremonial academy was held at the Marin Držić Theatre, attended by numerous guests, including the Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia, Andrej Plenković.

During the ceremony, awards were presented to this year’s laureates. By decision of the County Assembly, the Lifetime Achievement Award of Dubrovnik-Neretva County will be posthumously awarded to Academician Luko Paljetak.

The Award for Outstanding Achievements over the past year will be presented to the Dubrovnik Symphony Orchestra, the Folklore Ensemble Linđo, and the company RADEŽ d.d..

The Award for Contribution to the Reputation and Promotion of Dubrovnik-Neretva County in Croatia and abroad over the past year will go to the Public Institution of the Mljet National Park and the Metković Amateur Theatre.

The Minister of Tourism and Sports Tonči Glavina and the Director of the Croatian National Tourist Board Kristjan Staničić today publicly presented the new recognition label for private accommodation, aimed at encouraging the offering of authentic and high-quality lodging infused with traditional Croatian hospitality. The label is called “Vaš domaćin” or “Local Host”, and it is available to all who hold official host status under current regulations, provided they meet the required criteria such as authenticity of the offer, level of hospitality, environmental awareness, quality of guest interaction, and more.

“Private accommodation is a tradition of Croatian tourism, offering tourists an authentic experience of the destination—something that sets us apart from our competition. That is precisely why we are highlighting this with the ‘Local Host’ label, giving genuine, dedicated hosts additional promotion opportunities in both domestic and international markets. By developing and strengthening this form of accommodation, we are moving closer to the sustainable tourism model we are building—one that balances the satisfaction of both locals and visitors,” said Minister Glavina.

The process of obtaining the label has been streamlined and involves filling out a self-assessment form via the eVisitor system. Hosts who meet the conditions will receive a physical plaque to display at the entrance of their accommodation and a digital version for use on online platforms.

“This is the first time that the promotion of private accommodation is being approached in a systematic way, which is especially important given that Croatia’s largest share of tourist capacity lies in family-run lodging. The goal is to distinguish passionate and dedicated hosts from basic rental operations. The entire process will unfold in two phases. The first involves encouraging as many eligible hosts as possible to apply for the label—we take this opportunity to invite all private accommodation providers who meet the criteria to join the project. The second phase will include targeted promotion of the label in outbound markets, so it becomes synonymous with quality and reliability in the eyes of our guests,” explained Director Staničić, noting that the label will be valid for three years. Before expiration, holders will need to undergo a new self-assessment and approval process to maintain the label’s high-quality standard.

Hosts who receive the label will benefit in multiple ways: they will stand out among the many private rental providers, attract guests seeking an authentic and hospitable stay, and be included in special promotional activities by the Croatian National Tourist Board across outbound markets and booking platforms through use of the official visual identity.

The label has been designed to serve as a symbol of recognition for hosts who offer guests a personal approach, providing an authentic and high-quality Croatian experience.

On the occasion of International Nurses Day, Dubrovnik Mayor Mato Franković extended his congratulations to nurses and medical technicians:

Dear nurses and medical technicians,

On behalf of the City of Dubrovnik and in my own name, I sincerely congratulate you on International Nurses Day – a day when we celebrate your dedication, expertise, and humanity with deep respect and gratitude.

You are often the first support for patients, the ones who watch over them and provide comfort in their most difficult moments. Your strength, empathy, and professionalism are an invaluable part of our healthcare system and deserve recognition every single day, not just today.

Fully aware of the importance of your role and the challenges you face, the City of Dubrovnik continuously works on creating better conditions to improve your professional and personal standards.

The land in Pobrežje, which the City has purchased in part to allocate for the needs of healthcare workers, is part of a broader policy aimed at ensuring quality living conditions for medical professionals, strengthening the healthcare system, and providing even better care for our fellow citizens.

May this day serve as a reminder of the significance of your calling and bring you at least a small portion of the gratitude and recognition you truly deserve.

With respect,
Mayor
Mato Franković

HŽ Passenger Transport (Croatian Railways) has announced that on Tuesday it will launch the first electro-battery train on Croatian railways. The train was produced as part of the project “Application of Green Technologies in Railway Passenger Transport,” with a total project value of €17.1 million.

This project is financed through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) 2021–2026. Within the scope of the project, one battery-powered train and six charging stations were produced. The train will operate on the Zagreb – Bjelovar – Zagreb route.

The electro-battery train has 157 seated and 158 standing places. It is equipped with three pairs of double doors, ramps for wheelchair access, space for bicycles, an audio-visual passenger information system, and video surveillance. Passengers will also have free internet access on board. On electrified tracks, the train reaches a maximum speed of 160 km/h, and on non-electrified sections, 120 km/h.

With the introduction of battery-powered trains, HŽ Passenger Transport (Croatian Railways) highlights that it becomes possible to organize rail passenger transport on non-electrified routes in an environmentally friendly way using modern trains powered by electricity.

The inaugural ride of the electro-battery train will be attended by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Oleg Butković, President of the Management Board of HŽ Passenger Transport Željko Ukić, and President of the Management Board of KONČAR – Electrical Industry Gordan Kolak, along with their associates.

In the early morning hours, a 2.7-magnitude earthquake struck Dalmatia. The epicenter was recorded 14 kilometres from Pridraga and 112 kilometres from Split, at a depth of 3.3 kilometres.

The earthquake occurred at 04:52 local time.

“It was light, just a small shake,” a witness from Zadar reported to the Euro-Mediterranean Seismological Centre. 

As Croatia’s local elections loom ever closer, one thing has become abundantly clear: the entire process needs a shake-up. Voter apathy is at an all-time high. So, what’s the solution? Is it time to face facts and bring in mandatory voting? The answer, of course, is a resounding yes.

And no, this isn’t a case of election-year desperation talking.

Let’s first take a good look at the situation.

Nine candidates are officially throwing their hats into the ring for mayor, and yet, the buzz is as faint as a breeze on the Adriatic. Everyone’s politely avoiding the campaign posters while sipping espresso, only to begrudgingly pick up their ballots when the big day arrives.

Now, imagine if voting weren’t optional. The idea of mandatory voting might sound like a bureaucratic nightmare, but hear me out.

If every eligible voter were legally required to turn up at the polling stations, imagine the fresh energy it would inject into the whole circus. First of all, voters would be forced to engage. Sure, you might grumble while waiting in line, but you’d be thinking, “I’m here, I might as well make it count.”

With forced participation comes the potential for actual dialogue.

When it’s not optional, people start paying attention. They ask questions, they learn about candidates, and they – brace yourselves – vote based on something other than who has the flashiest ad campaign or family ties.

You might say, “But why force people to vote if they don’t care?” Oh, dear reader, let me remind you that in a democracy, we are all supposed to care. We’re not just choosing who gets to sit at the top of the pile of bureaucratic dust. But mandatory voting doesn’t just bring a new sense of urgency – it brings a sense of inclusivity.

For too long, Croatian elections have been an exclusive club where only the political elite or the die-hard partisans show up. Everyone else? They’re just enjoying the view from the sidelines.

If voting were compulsory, suddenly, everyone would be involved.

The silent majority of people who don’t care about local politics, but care about their city’s future, would have to be a part of the conversation. And that’s a win for Dubrovnik, even if you hate the idea of “joining the herd” every time an election rolls around.

Australia, for example, has mandatory voting, and guess what? It works. Australians are required to cast their ballots, and surprise, surprise, they show up – and they don’t just show up, they show up in droves. In fact, voter turnout in Australia regularly exceeds 90%. It’s the highest in the world.

Let’s face it, we’ve all heard it: “I didn’t vote because none of the candidates were inspiring.” Okay, great, but what about your responsibility to your fellow Dubrovčani? What about ensuring that your voice – even if it’s a reluctant, grumbling one – is heard?

Forced participation would nudge everyone out of their comfort zones, making them realize that democracy doesn’t thrive on complacency. A robust turnout is essential for the survival of local democracy.

For instance, did you know that some municipalities in Croatia are facing an election with zero competition? 112 boroughs across Croatia are basically North Korea, they have one name on the candidate list.

But perhaps the most important reason to support mandatory voting is this: accountability. If candidates know they have to win over a mandatory electorate, they might actually, you know, work for it.

Candidates would be forced to focus on issues that matter to everyone – not just their most loyal supporters. With mandatory voting, we’d have a city-wide conversation about what Dubrovnik really needs. No longer could the loudest voice in the room drown out those of us who actually care about the future of this city, not just the here-and-now.

Can you imagine a Dubrovnik where 90% of the electorate actually participates?

Imagine the energy, the discourse, the possibilities. It’s time for Croatia to follow suit and adopt a system that encourages engagement rather than acceptance of the status quo.

If it works for Australia, why not for Dubrovnik?

Oh, but some critics will say, “Mandatory voting is just another way to force people to care about something they don’t.” They’ll argue that we’re pushing people into a system they don’t want to be part of. To that, I say: isn’t that the very definition of civic responsibility?

Look at it this way: we force people to pay taxes, obey traffic laws, and even wear seatbelts. Are those things always fun? No. But they make us a better society.

So, why not mandatory voting, too?

Read more Englishman in Dubrovnik…well, if you really want to

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About the author

Mark Thomas (aka Englez u Dubrovniku) is the editor of The Dubrovnik Times. He was born and educated in the UK and moved to live in Dubrovnik in 1998. He works across a whole range of media, from a daily radio show to TV and in print. Thomas is fluent in Croatian and this column is available in Croatia on the website – Dubrovnik Vjesnik