RIT Croatia and the American university Rochester Institute of Technology proudly invite all interested parties to the Grand Opening of the international conference Cultural Heritage Imaging & Innovation (CHII 2025), which will take place on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at Kino Visia in Dubrovnik, starting at 9:00 AM.

Among the many distinguished guests, we highlight the attendance of Mato Franković, Mayor of Dubrovnik, and Anuška Deranja Crnokić, Director of the Directorate for Archives, Libraries, and Museums at the Ministry of Culture and Media of the Republic of Croatia.

They will address the conference participants during the opening ceremony.

Kino Visia Dubrovnik 

About the Conference

Cultural Heritage Imaging & Innovation Conference 2025 is dedicated to imaging and innovations in the field of cultural heritage, bringing together historians, scientists, practitioners, and technology leaders from around the world.

By introducing new technologies into the study of cultural heritage, museums, archives, and libraries can gain valuable new insights from historical artifacts and share the acquired knowledge. However, the collection, management, visualization, dissemination, and exhibition of this information remain constant challenges.

The goal of the conference is to connect historical artifacts with modern technologies to shape the future of cultural heritage preservation and presentation.

Almost a third of companies that participated in a Croatian Chamber of Economy (HGK) survey on the need for additional skills and knowledge in the labor market employ foreign workers. The majority (80%) of these workers are in craft and vocational professions, as stated at the HGK seminar "Employment of Foreign Workers – The New Aliens Act and Active Employment Policy Measures."

The majority of companies (83%) see the biggest advantage of hiring foreign workers as filling vacant positions more easily. However, they cite additional employment costs and integration challenges as the biggest obstacles. Companies also pointed out that the administrative process for hiring foreigners has been lengthy and complex, and they hope the new law will ease the administrative burden on both employers and workers, reports HINA. 

HGK Vice President for Trade and Internationalization, Igor Pokaz, predicts that the demand for foreign labor will continue to grow, especially in construction, tourism, and trade.

New Law on Foreign Workers: Key Changes and Challenges

"A proper legal framework is crucial to ensuring a steady workforce supply to support economic growth. A key focus in the coming period will be the development of regulations governing accommodation conditions for foreign workers," said Pokaz.

One of the key changes in the new law is the restriction on the ratio of foreign workers to domestic employees. For non-deficit occupations, domestic workers must make up at least 16% of the foreign workforce, while for deficit occupations, domestic workers must comprise at least 8%, according to HGK.

Marko Pekčec, President of the HGK Community of Employment Agencies, emphasized that this change could pose a challenge for agencies specializing in hiring and leasing foreign workers. He expects an increase in domestic employment as agencies try to expand their quota for foreign workers, leading to higher business costs.

"We are also concerned about how promissory notes will impact employment agency service prices. The law requires employers to submit a promissory note equal to one average gross salary for each foreign worker before their arrival. The goal is to increase employer accountability, which is a positive step. Additionally, increased inspections to prevent illegal employment practices, such as hiring workers without proper permits or qualifications, are a welcome measure," said Pekčec.

Regulations Still Pending

The new law extends work and residence permits for foreign workers from one to three years and seasonal work permits from six to nine months, which employers support.

Kristina Anetić, Head of HR and General Affairs at Kamgrad, welcomes the extension of work and residence permits and the flexibility to change job roles with the same employer. However, she notes that certain aspects of the law still require additional regulations, leaving room for different interpretations by authorities until they are clarified.

Employers hiring third-country nationals are now required to provide adequate accommodation under the new law, but specific conditions, such as space and sanitary requirements, are yet to be defined in the Regulation on the Accommodation of Foreign Workers, which has not yet been adopted. In the meantime, companies are facing inconsistencies in how the law is interpreted, leading to challenges such as treating all foreign workers as seasonal employees.

Marko Šimunić, Director of Šimunić Promet, believes that the new Aliens Act should not necessarily classify mobile workers as seasonal.

"Due to the nature of their work, mobile workers spend short periods in Croatia. If the company provides adequate accommodation at the business address, they should be able to register there, as has been the case until now," said Šimunić.

According to the eVisitor system for tourist registration and deregistration, around 3,400 guests stayed in Dubrovnik last weekend—roughly the same as this time last year.

In addition to domestic visitors, the most numerous guests came from the United Kingdom, France, the United States, and Greece.

Since the beginning of the year, Dubrovnik has recorded just over 45,600 arrivals and around 115,300 overnight stays, which is 7% less than in the same period last year.

In São Paulo, the 8th Meeting of the Croatian Diaspora in South America is taking place, where the Croatian National Tourist Board (HTZ) has presented its offerings to attract Brazilian tourists, reports HINA. 

“The interest is extraordinary. Everyone has expressed a great desire to visit and learn more about Croatia,” said HTZ’s International Cooperation Advisor, Marina Šimun, after meetings with Brazilian media and tour operators.

Among the media outlets present were O Globo and CNN.

“CNN has expressed interest in coming to Croatia to film a report, so we said we would work on making that happen to bring Croatia even closer to Brazilian guests,” Šimun added.

Although many Brazilians are familiar with Croatia, their knowledge remains limited, despite a steady increase in visitors each year.

“There is great potential for more arrivals in our market,” Šimun emphasized.

Last year, visitors from South America recorded around 200,000 overnight stays in Croatia.

Promoting Alternative Tourism Beyond the Beach Season

Solange Juvela, President of the Brazilian-Croatian Chamber of Commerce, highlighted the need to promote tourism beyond Croatia’s summer beach season.

“We must encourage alternative tourism options, such as gastronomy or winter visits to Zagreb and other cities during Advent,” she said.

She stressed the importance of finding ways to attract visitors during less busy months.

Miroslav Deur, owner and guide of the agency Prismazul, has been bringing Brazilians to Croatia on religious pilgrimages for 25 years.

“Typical tourists take photos and already think about their next trip. Pilgrimages are different—people seek a transformation in their lives, and that happens through the journey,” explained Deur, a Croatian born in São Paulo.

So far, he has led 60 groups with a total of 2,000 Brazilian pilgrims, visiting Croatian religious sites in Ludbreg, Marija Bistrica, Međugorje, and St. Nicholas Tavelic’s shrine in Šibenik, as well as Dubrovnik, Široki Brijeg, Rama, Perast, and Herceg Novi.

During the tours, Deur teaches them about Croatian history and presents spiritual values in a symbolic way. In Zagreb, for example, he talks about the earthquake and the city’s restoration.

Luka Modrić in a Promotional Video for Brazil

At the Croatian Diaspora meeting in São Paulo, HTZ presented a promotional video featuring Croatian football star Luka Modrić, who is well known among Brazil’s 213 million residents.

At the beginning of the video, Modrić speaks in Portuguese, saying: "You must see this video."

“It turned out fantastic,” Šimun said. “After the film, people came to ask even more questions. They said they had no idea about certain things in Croatia.”

Juvela, from the Brazilian-Croatian Chamber of Commerce, founded in 2023, noted that Brazilians are becoming increasingly interested in Croatia and eager to visit. Tour operators at the event expressed their enthusiasm and their desire to increase the number of Brazilian tourists traveling to Croatia.

There are around one million Croats and their descendants in South America, and HTZ encouraged them to invite their friends, neighbors, and relatives to visit Croatia.

“We expect a higher number of visitors this year, especially since organizations like the Brazilian-Croatian Chamber of Commerce are now actively involved,” explained Šimun.

Next month, Deur will lead another group of 25 pilgrims. He shared how Brazilian visitors often arrive with heavy hearts but leave with love for Croatia.

“When they return to Brazil, they take home wine, immortelle oil, and pelinkovac. But they can only carry 23 kilograms of luggage,” he noted with a smile. “Yet what they carry in their hearts is immeasurable—love and a life-changing experience.”

This Saturday, the Dubrovnik Tourist Board will host the final themed tour of this year’s Saturday Winter Mornings series. Taking place on March 29, the tour is titled Through Dubrovnik’s Historic Gardens.

Beyond its stunning architecture, Dubrovnik also boasts beautiful historic gardens. Some are hidden within the Old City, offering a refreshing contrast to the city’s stone surroundings. However, just outside the city walls—from Pile and Konalo to Boninovo—a unique garden district emerged during the Renaissance. Remarkably, this area has preserved its garden character to this day.

During this walking tour, participants will explore the historical evolution of these green spaces and their transformations over the centuries. Several historic gardens will be visited, showcasing the key elements of Dubrovnik’s Renaissance gardens, the plants that adorn them, and the importance of their preservation.

This special tour marks the conclusion of Saturday Winter Mornings, a program that has once again brought many visitors through the city, offering them a unique perspective on Dubrovnik. The positive feedback from participants speaks for itself:

"We spent four wonderful days in Dubrovnik and want to express our sincere gratitude to the Tourist Board for the excellent organization of winter activities. Your dedication to the city, its residents, and its guests is truly commendable."

"Saturday Winter Morning was truly unforgettable! The young folklore performers amazed us with their dance and songs, and our guide was exceptional—warm, knowledgeable, and deeply passionate about her city. This tour left a lasting impression, and we will definitely return. A perfect score for the organization!"

As the number of participants is limited, reservations are required. To join the tour, register via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call +385 20 312 011 by Friday at 5 PM.

For those unable to attend, the tour will also be offered as part of the Dubrovnik Flower Market program. On Saturday, April 5, at 10 AM, the Croatian-language tour Through Dubrovnik’s Historic Gardens will take place, followed by the English-language tour Walking Along the Old Dubrovnik Gardens on Sunday, April 6, at 10 AM.

In mid-December, the draw for the 2026 World Cup qualifying groups was held in Zurich. The tournament will take place in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

Croatia learned its qualification opponents after a defeat against France.

Croatia has been placed in Group L, alongside the Czech Republic, Montenegro, the Faroe Islands, and Gibraltar. The qualifiers for Croatia will begin in June and last until mid-November.

Croatia will enter the qualification campaign in the next cycle, with matches scheduled for June 6 and June 9. In the first game, Croatia will play away against Gibraltar, and just three days later, they will face a crucial home match against the Czech Republic.

Only the top team from each group will secure direct qualification for the World Cup. Twelve second-placed teams and four Nations League group winners—who have not qualified directly or finished second in their group—will enter the playoffs.

Croatia are aiming for their seventh World Cup appearance, with the 2026 tournament set to be played in Canada, the USA, and Mexico.

Zurich Airport's summer flight schedule takes effect on March 30, bringing more flights to popular holiday destinations and expanded long-haul options, including two new North American routes. Additionally, Check-in 1 is now fully operational.

Starting April 17, Swiss will operate up to five weekly flights to Dubrovnik, the airport operator announced on Friday. EasyJet is adding six new routes, with twice-daily flights to Rome, daily service to Palma, and up to four weekly flights to Malaga.

"Wait a minute, aren’t you the Englez?" said the man plonking himself down next to me on the flight to Zagreb. "Well, I’m not the Englez, but yes," I smirked, already sensing where this was going.

My seatmate was on his way to Singapore, he "worked on the ships." Judging by his weathered hands and the general lack of Hawaiian shirts, I guessed not the floating gin palaces we call cruise ships.

And then, just as I was enjoying my own self-importance, he delivered the gut punch.

“I used to read your columns when I was a student."

Brilliant. Nothing like a casual reminder of your own mortality while you’re trapped at 35,000 feet. He looked mid-forties, so the maths made sense, but still. I might as well start asking for a senior citizen discount.

The trip itself was more eventful than expected. First, let’s talk about Croatia Airlines. How they managed to rack up a €20 million loss last year is beyond me. The planes were absolutely packed in both directions—so crammed you could have mistaken it for the Tokyo subway at rush hour.

And yet, they somehow still haemorrhage money?

If they added another Dubrovnik-Zagreb flight every day, that too would be full.

And let’s not even start on their prices—I could have flown to London, Rome, and back, twice, for what they charged me for an hour’s flight to the capital.

On the way back, I was told to check my bag in the hold as, you guessed it, the plane was full. Gate 28 looked like an Apple Store on Black Friday—except instead of tech-obsessed millennials, it was packed with loud, cheerful Mexicans. Pancho, Lupe, Chucho, Nacho—was I on a Croatia Airlines flight or Aeroméxico?

Smiles everywhere, flamboyant hand gestures, bursts of laughter—Gate 28 felt more like the Veracruz Carnival than an airport terminal.

And then, into this vibrant chaos, enters Dubrovnik’s very own national treasure—Goran Đerek, aka Đerek.

Now, everyone in Dubrovnik has a Đerek story.

Mine?

I was stopped at the traffic lights in Lapad once when he casually opened my passenger door, jumped in, and said, "Old City, please." No questions, no hesitation. That’s Đerek.

So there he was at Gate 28, chatting away with the check-in staff, looking both utterly out of place and yet, somehow, exactly where he belonged. Wearing a suit—because why not?—he could almost have passed for a Croatia Airlines employee. Almost.

The gate opened, but by then, Đerek had vanished.

The air bridge was packed with Mexicans, still laughing and chattering away, when suddenly I heard him. From somewhere behind me, his voice rose above the din, arguing into his mobile phone. As the queue inched forward, his volume increased.

Then, with the grace of a battering ram, he charged past me, still mid-rant. The queue be damned—Đerek had places to be! And then came the moment of truth. Đerek barreled straight into the wall of Mexicans. I don’t speak Spanish, but I didn’t need to—their wildly flailing arms said it all.

First, shock. Then, bemusement. Then, full-blown laughter. Within seconds, they were wiping away tears of joy. And that’s the thing. A lifetime of bureaucratic nonsense, closed borders, corrupt politicians, and North American tariffs haven’t dulled their spirits—so why would a force of nature like Đerek?

Instead, he was just another part of the adventure.

As we finally boarded, I overheard one of them say, "Viva México!" And you know what? I couldn’t agree more. Squeezed into my seat, I had time to reflect. The absurdity of it all. The fact that, in a world increasingly divided by walls and wires, the simplest of things—chaotic laughter at an airport gate—could bring people together.

Perhaps that’s the real magic of travel. Not the sights, not the souvenirs, but the bizarre, unscripted moments that remind us we’re all just muddling through this strange journey together.

And as Đerek settled into his seat a few rows ahead, still barking down his phone, I couldn’t help but grin.

Some things, thankfully, never change.

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