Tourism In Croatia Research Articles

Advantages and Challenges of Health Tourism Development in Croatia

This paper presents the advantages and challenges of Croatia as a health tourism destination. Croatia is a popular tourist destination where tourism significantly contributes to the country's GDP. Health tourism in Croatia is based on natural health resorts, preventative medical and rehabilitation programs, and various wellness offerings. However, the current state of health tourism is not very promising, as large medical institutions (such as clinical hospital centers, general hospitals, and polyclinics) show little interest. Previous guests have expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of innovation in the programs offered and the limited accessibility for persons with special needs. Significant investment in hotel and medical infrastructure is necessary to meet contemporary global tourist demand, including staff education and increased competitiveness in the international market. This research highlights the importance of health tourism as a selective type necessary for the current and future development of tourism at both local and international levels. The objective is to understand the existing potential of the Saint Nicholas Polyclinic and explore possibilities to further valorize health resources. The research methodology included a survey questionnaire, with results displayed graphically. The findings indicate that Croatia has the prerequisites for health tourism development, particularly in medical tourism. Keywords: tourism, health tourism, sanatorium, polyclinic, development

Sustainable Development of Cycle Tourism Destinations in Croatia based on Innovative e-Tools

Abstract Cycle tourism in Croatia is not just a significant economic contributor but also a driver of rural development and job creation in sectors like hospitality, tourism, leisure, and cycle path maintenance. The unique preferences of cycle tourists for authentic experiences and local culture also boost the local economy. This research, with its practical implications, aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the level of awareness of e-innovation tools in Croatia’s cycling tourism sector, identify challenges and potentials in terms of technological change, and highlight infrastructural gaps in Adriatic versus continental Croatia using a SWOT analysis. The insights from this research can be instrumental in fostering sustainable and long-term destination development, making it a valuable resource for all professionals in the field.

Health Tourism in Croatia: Tradition, Competitiveness, Sustainability and Effects of New Investments

Health Tourism in Croatia: Tradition, Competitiveness, Sustainability and Effects of New Investments

The effect of EU membership on tourism in Croatia

This study examines the impact of EU membership on tourism in Croatia, one of the most important economic sectors in the country. Using the counterfactual synthetic control method, the causal effect of EU membership on overnight tourists in Croatia in the period from 2013 to 2021 is estimated. The results suggest there is a large, positive, and long-term effect of the EU joining on overnight visitors in Croatia, with European tourists being the main contributors to tourism growth. In the period before COVID-19, the maximum discrepancy between the observed number of tourists and the synthetic value was achieved in 2017, with Croatia receiving an additional 3 million visitors, or 23 percent more than the value of the synthetic. Although these results are context-specific, the resemblance of Croatia to some EU candidate countries provides insights into possible tourism outcomes of integration in Europe.

THE MODEL OF STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT OF A RELIGIOUS TOURISM DESTINATION IN FUNCTION OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Objective: This study aims to explore the significance and potential of religious tourism in Croatia for sustainable development, highlighting the absence of a strategic approach in managing this tourism sector. The primary goal is to assess the current state of religious tourism, identify challenges, and recommend strategic directions for enhancing religious tourism destinations.
 
 Theoretical Framework: The research is anchored in the theories and models of sustainable development, tourism management, and cultural heritage preservation. These theories provide a comprehensive understanding of how religious tourism can contribute to economic growth, cultural preservation, and community engagement in a sustainable manner.
 
 Method: Employing survey research and analysis of relevant resources, this study systematically examines the current landscape of religious tourism in Croatia. It focuses on stakeholder coordination, promotion strategies, infrastructure development, and cultural heritage preservation efforts.
 
 Results and Discussion: The investigation reveals a fragmented approach to managing religious tourism, characterized by poor coordination among stakeholders, inadequate promotion, underdeveloped infrastructure, and challenges in cultural heritage preservation. These findings suggest that a more cohesive and strategic approach could significantly bolster sustainable development, enhance economic opportunities in rural locales, and foster cultural heritage appreciation.
 
 Research Implications: The study underscores the necessity for stronger collaboration among religious communities, tourism organizations, and governmental authorities. It advocates for enhanced promotional efforts, infrastructure investments, and robust measures for cultural and religious heritage conservation, offering valuable insights for policymakers, tourism developers, and community leaders.
 
 Originality/Value: This paper contributes original insights into the underexplored domain of religious tourism in Croatia, offering a structured analysis of its current state and potential for sustainable development. Its strategic recommendations provide a foundation for future initiatives to harness religious tourism as a vehicle for economic and cultural sustainability in Croatia.

Assesment Of Static Panel Model Of Tourist Demand In Croatia

Croatia is an important and widely recognizable tourist destination. The importance of tourism in Croatia is manifested in many aspects, and the share of income from tourism in BDP in Croatia is around 20%. The most numerous guests in Croatia are foreign guests, mostly from Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Italy and Poland. In this paper, foreign tourism demand in the Republic of Croatia was analyzed and impact of five selected variables on foreign tourism demand is estimated: gross domestic product of countries from which tourists come from, prices in Croatia, prices in competing countries, distance between countries and accommodation capacities. The analysis was carried out for the nine-year time period from 2010 to 2018 based on data for 32 countries from which tourists come, and OLS model, a panel model with fixed effects and a panel model with random effects were estimated. The adequacy of the model was tested with the Hausman test, Breusch-Pagan Lagrange test and F-test. A panel model with Driscoll-Kraay standard errors was estimated. The estimated model showed that the gross domestic product of the countries from which the tourists arrive has a statistically significant and positive influence on the foreign tourism demand in Croatia, while at a significance level of 10% the accommodation capacity in Croatia has a positive and statistically significant influence. The impact of other variables taken into account was not statistically significant.

The Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Dental Tourism in Croatia

Dental tourism is based on providing dental services outside the home country at more favourable prices but with added value in tourist offers and arrangements. Croatia has become a destination for affordable and at the same time quality dental tourism due to low prices, high quality, and natural beauties. In addition to dental services, most clinics offer transportation and accommodation. Dental tourists want to combine dental services with vacation, which makes Croatia a desirable destination precisely because of the natural beauty and abundance of rich content. For this reason, many Croatian dentists have recognized dental tourism as an additional source of income or as their primary business orientation. Although clinics operating within dental tourism are located throughout Croatia, the most significant number is in Zagreb, Rijeka, and Split. Patients mostly come from developed countries such as Italy, Austria, Germany, UK, Ireland, Japan, Canada, and the USA, where dental procedures are not as affordable. Dental tourism in Croatia had exponential growth until March 2020, when, for the first time, it faced a global problem and was challenged in the form of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Comparative analysis of tourism indicators for Croatia and selected competitive countries

An increasing number of countries are investing in the development of tourism, thus becoming a key driver of socioeconomic development. The effects of tourism are realized through foreign exchange revenues, job creation, and the development of local and national infrastructure. As an international trade service, inbound tourism has become one of the world's major trade categories. Tourism in Croatia is considered an important investment driver and a generator of growth in the national economy. Addressing and development on a competitive basis are determined by the unfavorable macroeconomic environment and business climate in the country. Today's business world is characterized by accelerated development and competitiveness of companies that must stimulate profitable development, measure value creation and continuously learn from success, because only such companies can succeed. The aim of the paper is to show the economic effects of tourism and show the position of Croatian tourism in relation to competitive countries, in order to confirm the hypothesis that Croatia is a strong competitive country.

The Importance of Space for Tourism in Croatia

The Importance of Space for Tourism in Croatia

Marina Business in Relation to Development

Marina Business, or Marina in&with Business is a new term in the terminology of nautical tourism, introduced in Croatia in the conditions of COVID-19. In other words, the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the old, disorganized relationships of entities operating in and with marinas. The damaged relations during the pandemic showed all the illogic in their existing relations as well as the damage to the better results of Croatian charters and ports of nautical tourism, especially marinas. The fact that the state distanced itself from the economy and the development of entrepreneurship was reflected in the development of nautical tourism in Croatia, which developed independently in all its sub-forms after the Homeland War. Favourable post-war opportunities on the market of nautical tourism offer, i.e. lagging in the development of nautical tourism capacities and high dynamics of tourism demand, favoured nautical tourism enterprises that achieved positive business results until the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. If the problem of cruising is excluded, both large world cruises and small domestic cruises, nautical tourism ports, especially marinas and charters, developed dynamically, but with the intention of doing profitable business, the problems gradually deepened. At the same time, the relationship problem could not be solved due to the good mutual business results. The emergence of the pandemic in 2020 showed the other side of the cooperative relationship between charterers and marinas, which for both subjects led to the distancing of the state in aid programs that should have been specific and not general for subjects of all types of businesses. In addition to the problems of charters and marinas, it is also necessary to consider the activity of skippers, who are of great importance for Croatian charter, which is considered the largest in the world. The services of skippers are used by about 40% of sailors, and they are an important segment for the success of the Croatian charter business. It should be noted here that in the further paragraphs of this paper the terms nautical tourism ports and marinas will be used, and this is because charter is mainly located in marinas and only to a lesser extent in other forms of nautical tourism ports, so it is also mentioned in nautical tourism ports. Thus, the relationship “marina-charter-skippers” represents a working symbiosis that links it to the intention of all successful businesses. The goal of the research is to valorise the factors of the quality of business cooperation and good business relationships that ensure profitable business for everyone. The research hypothesis states that the necessary good business cooperation can be achieved through a higher level of cooperation than before.

Effects of COVID-19 on Adriatic and Continental Croatia tourism: a regional input-output perspective

The purpose of this article is to estimate regional economic impact of tourism in Croatia. Rich cultural heritage and natural resources are factors which have contributed to the rapid increase in tourist arrivals in Adriatic Croatia, especially after the removal of all barriers to free movement following Croatia’s admittance to the European Union. While tourism is one of the key sectors which has contributed to Adriatic Croatia’s growth and development, a high share of tourism in gross value added and employment has increased the region’s vulnerability to external shocks, such as the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The estimation of tourism’s role in Croatia’s regions is based on the regional input–output model, which identifies total effects of tourist demand. Results of the study reveal structural differences in Croatia’s regional growth path. While Continental Croatia specialises in more sophisticated industrial sectors, the economy of the Adriatic region is strongly dependent on tourism. The decrease in tourist arrivals due to COVID-19 travel restrictions resulted in a significant decline in economic activity in Adriatic Croatia. Economic activity in the hospitality sector was most affected by decreased demand, but other sectors which deliver inputs required for tourism services were also significantly impacted.

Economic Policy Uncertainty and Tourism in Croatia: A Wavelet Analysis

ABSTRACT By using wavelet analysis, we find that domestic Economic Policy Uncertainty (EPU) has short and long-term adverse effects on domestic tourism in Croatia. Domestic and global EPU (GEPU) have a negative relationship with foreign arrivals; however, the impact of domestic EPU on foreign arrivals is significantly bigger. The co-movements between nights of stay per domestic tourists and domestic EPU are positive in the short and the long run, while the relationship with GEPU is negative. Our findings for the foreign arrivals per tourist is the opposite of those for the domestic. There is a positive relationship between foreign arrivals per tourist and GEPU.

Production basis for food tourism in Croatia: market position of small agricultural producers

ABSTRACT As food tourism is becoming more significant, producers are encouraged to ensure more high-quality products as the local gastronomy basis. While some EU Member States, such as Italy, France, and Spain, have already developed regional gastronomy offer based on labeled products, others, for example, Croatia, are lagging behind. The aim of this paper is to explore the market performance of small agricultural producers in Croatia offering high-quality products with potential to contribute to further development of the local gastronomy. Data have been collected through governments’ databases, online survey and interviews. The results indicate that the production increase of high-quality products with a strong representation on the market is a very demanding process in Croatia. Various obstacles affecting producers have been identified. The most relevant are the level of administrative regulation and low purchasing power of the consumers, affecting the products price level and preventing producers from achieving higher prices. Removing many of the identified barriers requires more effort from key actors, primarily the policy stakeholders at the national level.

Application of DENTALQUAL model in measuring the satisfaction of domestic dental tourists during COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction: With the expansive development of dental tourism in Croatia, there has sprung a need for research into the quality of dental services and satisfaction of tourists with the purpose of improvement and advancement of existing services. Aim and Methods: The aim of this paper was to research and analyse the perception of dental tourists on the quality of dental services and to analyse their overall satisfaction. The measuring instrument used in this study was a modified DENTALQUAL model. Results: Looking at the results of the empiric research, it has been determined that respondents have high expectations about quality of dental services (4.65). When it comes to the perceived quality of services, total average grade of the respondent’s perception of the given dental service was 4.50, which shows the presence of the negative SERVQUAL gap (-0.15). Respondents find cleanliness and tidiness of the interior and instruments the most important (4.97), and they are mostly unsatisfied with the dentist’s attitude towards consulting patients on the ways of preventing other diseases (-0.52). Respondents asses the overall satisfaction with the given service with a high 4.47. Conclusion: Research of quality and satisfaction of tourists with given dental service is of essential importance for the development of dental tourism in Croatia and therefore the analysis of SERVQUAL gap has proved to be an effective research model.

Medical Tourism in Croatia

Recently, medical tourism became one of the rapidly growing industries globally with 25% growth yearly with the value of over 200 billion euros. North America, Asia and Europe hold the most significant share of this value. According to The Medical Tourism Market – Global Industry Analysis Report, the forecast by 2027 will be a value of 272.70 billion US dollars. Croatia has strong potential for developing the medical tourism industry as an integral and essential part of the whole tourism industry in Croatia. But, lack of political will and public sector efforts decrease these opportunities. Fundamental healthcare reform is needed and improves outdated infrastructure with low service quality, including accommodation and accompanying catering and recreational facilities. Health care tourism is not competitive in this exceptionally demanding market. Singapore, India and Turkey can be excellent examples of doing thing rights, showing the path to success to the Croatian medical tourism industry. Where is Croatia right now, and what can be done to move forward is a big question. Several authors offer possible solutions that can lead to achieving objectives and goals stated in the National Strategy for Development of Healthcare and Action Plan until 2028. The future development of the medical tourism industry is an exciting area both in applicative and scientific fields, which can encourage further scientific efforts to explore more deeply the subject.

Appointment scheduling system in multi doctor/multi services environment

Appointment scheduling systems are used by health care providers to manage access to their services. In this paper an algorithm and a web application for automatic appointment scheduling is presented. Both are implemented using the concept of booking appointments for patients for a specific service offered by each doctor. The purpose of the application is to make signing up for a specific service easier for patients and to improve health tourism in Croatia by maximizing doctor’s efficiency and minimize patient waiting time. Medical providers are added to the system, they add the services which they provide, and each service offered has its own duration time. Users register, search for services matching their parameters, and schedule an appointment for the requested service. Available appointments are generated using the presented algorithm, which is the main part of this paper. The algorithm searches the database and returns possible appointments. If patient has more than one appointment, possible appointments time can be before the existing appointment, between two appointments, or at the end of the last appointment. Thus, web application enables the patient to reserve desirable appointment time.

Nautical Tourism in Croatia and the COVID-19 Pandemic

Purpose: The purpose of the article is to present the results of the analysis of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on nautical tourism in Croatia, with particular emphasis on charter services. The structure of the article was subordinated to the research process carried out, in accordance with the presented methodology. Design/Methodology /Approach: The article presents the results of research analyzing the popularity of nautical tourism in Croatia in terms of using charter services in this area. The period 2015-2020 was studied. Due to the purpose of the article, special attention was paid to the situation of the pandemic, which caused changes in this respect. The main source of data was the statistics provided by the Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure, Republic of Croatia (Ministry of Sea..., 2015-2020). Elements of econometric modeling were used to show the scale of the impact of the pandemic on charter services in Croatia. An analysis of the situation was also carried out in relation to the individual countries whose citizens use charter services in Croatia. Findings: The results of the conducted research indicate that the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly influenced the number of tourists using charter services in Croatia. This was confirmed both in terms of the number of charter guests and the number of charter guests overnights. Practical Implications: The results of the analysis can be useful for decision makers in the development of charter services in Croatia with particular emphasis on a crisis situation. Continuation of this research could strengthen knowledge ofpandemic crisis management. Originality/value: The conducted research concerns a pandemic situation, the impact of which on various spheres of life and economy has so far been unprecedented.

ТУРИСТИЧНА ПОЛІТИКА В УМОВАХ ГЛОБАЛЬНИХ ВИКЛИКІВ: ЄВРОПЕЙСЬКИЙ ДОСВІД

The article provides the analysis of tourism policy under global challenges. The authors consider the main aspects of the implementation of tourism policy in European countries in modern conditions proceeding from the fact that Europe has been one of the centers of tourism for a long time due to a number of factors, among them are: geographical position, level of life, accessibility (railway and air connections) and other factors that facilitate the development of tourism. Moreover, there is a large number of historical and cultural artifacts in most of the European countries – the fact that in combination with their long and successful experience of tourism policy facilitates the attraction of tourists. It has been proved that an important prerequisite for an effective tourism policy is the carefully shaped tourist image of a country. Some countries have formed it relatively recently (France, Italy, the Netherlands), while others are developing it now (Latvia, Romania). Some of the post-Socialist countries have demonstrated considerable progress in forming their images and tourism policies. The article analyses certain country-specific types of tourism: recreation tourism in Croatia with its picturesque seashore and favourable ecological situation; cultural tourism in Germany and Finland – famous for their ancient and modern artifacts (e.g., the Berlin Wall or Raatteen Porti); event tourism in some countries where annual events are held, e.g., Oktoberfest in Germany or Koningsdag in the Netherlands. Other types of tourism, such as educational, medical, religious, etc., are also specified in their connection with certain European locations. As to the tourism policies of European countries – they have much in common bearing some differences. Eloquent example of successful implementation of state tourism policy are given in the article with the accent on the experience of France, Italy, Latvia, Romania and other countries. In most of them tourism policy is run by ministries or departments responsible for culture and sports. The role of the European Union and the World Tourism Organization is also specified in the article. Some dramatic consequences of COVID-19 for the development of world tourism industry, which changed this sphere radically, are also mentioned in the article as well as a certain shift in tourists’ preferences and motivations – from extremal to safe practices. Recognizing and realizing new reality many countries keep on supporting tourism business through modification of their plans, strategies and policies

Opportunities for tourism recovery and development during and after COVID-19

For many years, tourism scholars have been investigating tourism development issues and disseminating their research results through papers published in academic journals. Although there is evidence that their viewpoints are in discrepancy with the viewpoints of tourism practitioners, these inconsistencies were rarely investigated and juxtaposed. As the global health pandemic caused by COVID-19 stopped travel and tourism all over the world, it created time for both groups of tourism experts to reflect on the various opportunities and challenges that the tourism sector will face in the future. Using the qualitative research design, the authors had the chance to collect, analyse and discuss the views of tourism experts on the recovery phase and possible changes to tourism in Croatia. Data was obtained through semi structured interviews of tourism practitioners from public and private sectors, and through literary review of published opinion papers by international scholars. The aim of the research was focused on the comparison of their views on the short-term recovery of tourism, as well as the long-term possibilities to transform the sector towards a more sustainable and more inclusive sector that is able to utilize the regional competitive advantages in the best possible way. The research results revealed more similarities regarding the attitudes on the recovery during short-term period, as opposed to more dissimilarity on the long-term future of tourism in Croatia. According to the research results, the future of tourism would benefit from the experience and knowledge of both groups combined – practitioners and scholars.

Planned Villages as Rural Heritage in the Function of Sustainable Development: Case Study of Gornji Vrhovci in Slavonia, Croatia

Although cultural values are the subject of an increasing number of officially adopted documents, at international as well as on European level, elaborations of planned villages’ values are rare. In 1990, the term cultural landscape was confirmed in several international texts as a concept related to the protection and heritage (World Heritage Convention, 1992; Recommendation on the Integrated Conservation of Cultural Landscapes Areas as Part of Landscape Policies, 1995). From the beginning of the 21st century, the concept is dispersed into several disciplines and the focus shifts to the side of natural values, visual values of the landscape, built structure, heritage values, elaborating the concept of the cultural landscape more widely and at the same time clarifying its components more in depth. The paper analyses the values of planned rural settlements in the context of the cultural landscape and the values of the rural heritage. The importance of planned rural heritage as a tourist attraction and potential destination is examined through a spatial multi-level research of the regional area on the example of the area of Western Slavonia, Croatia. Since the middle of the 18th century, in the area of Slavonia, there is the largest number of planned and regulated villages that have been integrated into the landscape, contributing to the spatial diversity and consequently the spatial identity. Therefore, the question arises whether their planned spatial structure can be recognized as a heritage and whether this part of heritage can be used in the function of rural tourism development. This paper explores the historical urban - architectural reconstruction of the village Gornji Vrhovci (1945-1948) after its damage during World War II, and reconstruction (1995-1998) after the damage during the Homeland War. Since the architects led both reconstructions of the village, the paper explores whether the recognizable spatial structure of the village can serve as a contribution to the development of a model for the development of rural tourism. The paper concludes that, despite the need for the development of rural tourism in Croatia, the identity of spatial structures of the village are neglected by the development plans both in the sense of heritage and resource sustainable development.