Tourism In Croatia Research Articles

Analiza utjecaja informacijsko-komunikacijskih tehnologija na inozemni turizam Republike Hrvatske

U suvremenim uvjetima poslovanja razvoj informacijsko-komunikacijskih tehnologija značajno utječe na turizam. Internet je nedvojbeno najznačajnija svjetska društvena pojava koja danas predstavlja pitanje velikih interesa i istraživanja. Prema statistici o korištenju interneta, u lipnju 2019. godine broj korisnika interneta u svijetu iznosio je više od 4 milijarde. Pretpostavljajući da su uspon interneta kao i razvoj ostalih informacijsko-komunikacijskih tehnologija značajno promijenili i utjecali na suvremene načine komunikacije i poslovanja u turističkom sektoru, njihovo bolje razumijevanje svakako zahtijeva detaljniju i sustavnu kvalitativnu i kvantitativnu analizu. Analiza turističke potražnje koja proizlazi iz korištenja informacijsko-komunikacijskih tehnologija, interneta i društvenih mreža postaje ključan element prognoziranja budućih vrijednosti s obzirom na sve više prisutne nove trendove temeljene na korištenju informacijsko-komunikacijskih tehnologija. Svrha rada je analizirati postojanje utjecaja broja internetskih korisnika u svijetu na inozemni turizam Republike Hrvatske, definiranjem adekvatnoga kvantitativnoga modela, kao matematičke funkcije koja ispituje postojanje povezanosti između broja dolazaka stranih turista u Republiku Hrvatsku i nezavisnih varijabli koje odražavaju potencijalni utjecaj koji informacijsko-komunikacijske tehnologije imaju na inozemni turizam. Modeliranje je provedeno višestrukom regresijskom analizom, a prognostička moć modela evaluirana je prosječnom apsolutnom postotnom te prosječnom apsolutnom prognostičkom pogreškom. Rezultati istraživanja i provedena ispitivanja pokazala su da postoji značajan pozitivan odnos između odabranih varijabli te da je dizajnirani model adekvatan za opisivanje kretanja odabranih varijabli.

Seasonality of crime in Croatia

Peace, safety, and security are the primary conditions for successful tourism development and security threats such as terrorism, crime or potential war conflicts can strongly affect tourism. Of these threats, crime is the most widespread. Certain types of crime are seasonal and some criminal offences are more often committed at a particular time of the year, week or day. The aim of this paper is to determine whether there is a connection between the seasonality of crime and tourism in Croatia. In order to achieve this aim, the correlation analysis was applied on monthly data from 2007 to 2018, using Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient to measure the strength of the relationship between crime and tourism. The analysis covered reported criminal offences that may be related to tourism. The conducted analysis found a statistically significant correlation between the tourist arrivals and stays and almost all types of reported criminal offences, and this correlation was stronger for property crimes and weaker for violent crimes. The obtained results can help law enforcement agencies to allocate police officers in specific periods of time and thus to provide adequate resources to respond to crime, such as additional police officers during the summer or other seasons.

Perspective of development of golf tourism in Croatia

Golf tourism represents an important part of a sports tourism offer of a destination. In the last couple of decades, it has been registering growth on European and world level. Golfers are characterized as tourists with high purchasing power which was an additional stimulus for tourist destinations to invest in developing golf tourism, in order to attract a large number of golf players, and that way increase the tourist turnover with particular emphasis on tourist consumption. The primary aim of this paper was to present the current state of golf tourism offer in Europe, as well as the state of golf tourism in the Republic of Croatia, as a European Union member with the use of data from secondary sources. Based on the findings the authors presented the developmental activities.

Can Evaluation Trigger Change? The Case of the Interim Evaluation of the Croatian Tourism Development Strategy

Abstract The paper is focused on the results of the first conducted sectoral interim evaluation in Croatia, that of the Croatian Tourism Development Strategy till 2020. The authors reflect on the methodology used, the applied approach, the objectives and scope of the recently implemented interim evaluation of the mentioned Strategy. They comment on the purpose and functions of this sectoral evaluation and observe objectively its role from the point of view of achieving effectiveness, long term, and concrete and sustainable development impacts in the sector of tourism. The main findings of the conducted evaluation are presented, based on a number of held interviews and a survey with the main policy makers, civil servants as well as all key stakeholders in the tourism industry. Particular focus is given to evaluation questions and judgement criteria based on the evaluation criteria of effectiveness, impact and sustainability. The authors indicate some of the positive achievements, and particularly the current problems and challenges in the segment of tourism in Croatia in the period until 2020 and beyond. Along with observations related to the issues of accountability in the sector, the paper also provides reflections on the learning effects as the end result of such an evaluation, contributing to further policy development and policy learning in the sector of tourism. The authors indicate that their experience with this first interim evaluation could serve as a good practice example for conducting similar sectoral evaluations in Croatia as well as a tool for further long term development of tourism in the country, since the sector is of pivotal importance for Croatia’s local, regional and urban development as well as its overall economic competitiveness. Particular attention is given to some of the noted deficiencies and needs for further improvements in this sector, vital for Croatia’s further development. Recommendations are provided for improvements of the overall Croatian tourism development policy, with specific focus on the effectiveness of the so far achieved results as well as sustainable implementation of the Strategy and overall policy, aiming at reaching major and more concrete development impacts in the field of tourism.

Changes of tourism in Croatia in the post-socialist period

21 years of transformation in the tourist function in the territory of Croatia has been summarized in the article. This area has come a long way from the region that was an integral part of Yugoslavia, through the area of warfare related to the civil war to one of the fastest growing tourist destinations in the world. The number of tourists has more than tripled, with an increase from 57% to 1830% in individual counties of Croatia during the analyzed period. At the same time, there was a disproportionately low increase in capacity of accommodation base across the country at the level of 76%. This increase took values from 20% to 350% in extreme districts.

Nautical Tourism in Croatia and in Portugal in the Late 2010’s

Croatia is one of the well - known Mediterranean destinations for nautical tourism which full development potential is waiting to be used. Cultural attractions, indented coastline, numerous islands, climatic and other advantages are not enough. Croatia needs new infra- and supra-structures, which are reflected through investments in new marinas, anchorages and other facilities. Portugal is an Atlantic country, but with a Mediterranean culture due to its proximity and (potentially) benefiting from its extensive shoreline, two archipelagos, and being located in a geographical position where thousands of yachts pass by each year. The article aims to analyse the accommodation capacities of nautical tourism ports in Croatia and in Portugal. The authors have given an overview of the current situation with an emphasis on the differences and possibilities. The purpose of this article is to analyse the legal objective of nautical tourism and the growing need for accommodation capacities in ports of nautical tourism in both countries. The authors have carried out the research and have analysed data from different years and regions. Although more in Croatia, nautical tourism is a significant part of the national economy in both countries with a strong incentive on the local community. The special goal of this paper is to research into and analyse the economic and ecological impact of nautical tourism through ports of nautical tourism and with a special emphasis on marinas. The result obtained and the critical overview has been presented as one of the important contributions of this paper.

Female students view the knowledge of foreign languages as more important for careers in tourism than male students?

The proficiency in multiple foreign languages is a basic assumption for successful communication in tourism. Tourism and mobility have a significant and important role, where intercultural contacts contribute to the development of intercultural dialogue. This paper attempts to explore gender differences in the perceptions of students from the Rochester Institute of Technology, RIT Croatia regarding the importance of knowing various foreign languages in tourism. The results obtained could help in raising the awareness of the importance of the role of learning and teaching foreign languages, with potential effects in developing and promoting tourism in Croatia. The key research finding is that the female students generally consider knowing foreign languages as more important than male students. This finding could indicate that women are potentially more demanding tourists. However, in most variables the study failed to find any statistically significant differences.

Is there room for eco golf resorts in the concept of sustainable development of tourism in Croatia?

Introduction: The concept for sustainable development of tourism in Croatia for the period until the year 2020 suggests the establishment of a favourable relationship between economy, ecology and tourism development. Croatia has predicted to connect strategic development to building mega golf resorts on the coast in order to increase accommodation capacities and overcome seasonality and to greatly increase income. Aim and methodology: The goal of this work is to show that building golf resorts might lead to long term unsustainability of the concept of sustainable tourism development. The method of terrain examination is used, as well as critical analyses of the available secondary sources. Results: Building an eco-golf resort on the island of Cres has been planned against the will of the local eco community. Although the whole complex is called “eco”, the project may lead to the devastation of landscape, loss of biodiversity, with the enormous consumption of water and energy, possible exhaustion of underground drinking water reserves and finally, bioaccumulation of chemical fertilizers and herbicides. Conclusion: Qualitative principles of development should be considered equivalent to the quantitative ones, and any aberration most seriously threatens long term development of tourism economy of Croatia as well as sustainable development in the whole.

Possibilities of Connecting Maritime and Continental Tourism with an Emphasis on Sustainable Development

Contemporary tourism trends are marked by a number of elements that enrich the product of the tourism and travel industry and contribute to the satisfaction of visitors, while respecting the principles of sustainable tourist destination management. This paper analyzes the possibilities for the implementation of charter flights and the introduction of electric cars with the aim of connecting maritime and continental tourism in Croatia on the principles of sustainable development of tourist destinations. For the purpose of proving the set hypotheses, research has been carried out involving all the county tourist offices as the target points of the survey, as each of them covers a range of local self-government units, and can be considered a representative sample of tourism in the entire territory of Croatia. The survey was conducted through questionnaires with the office directors. The analysis of their responses suggests the need to approach and merge maritime and continental tourism through a new tourist product by introducing charter flights and electric cars. Based on the results of the research and in the opinion of the respondents, the introduction of charter flights would lead to the extension of the tourist season, the expansion of the tourist offer and thus the greater pleasure of visitors themselves, increase of employment, increase of local government revenues and synergy effect of economic development. Respondents believe that the introduction of alternative electric vehicles would significantly contribute to environmental protection and rationalization of operations due to considerably lower costs (gas emissions into the environment, the possibility of co-financing through EU funds or central and local government funds, maintenance costs, etc.). The introduction of charter flights and the usage of electric cars from the airport to the destination would significantly contribute to the achievement of better tourism-related results and the increase of the competitiveness of Croatian tourism as a whole.

Culinary Trends in the Republic of Croatia as Part of Gastro Tourism Development

The main aim of this article is to explore the trends of gastro tourism, the development of gastro tourism in the Republic of Croatia, the gastronomic offer of Croatia, the potentials and opportunities for the advancement of gastronomy in Croatia's tourist offer. The research shows representation of new trends in today's gastro tourism market such as molecular food, slow food, macrobiotic food, eco, functional and vegetarian food. The main purpose is to find out to which extent are specific trends represented in Croatian restaurants.The methodology used is secondary research, desk research, method of analysis and synthesis, comparative method, quantitative research, interview as well as the observation from real life. As part of the quantitative method there is a survey conducted amongst 30 Croatian restaurants; 10 restaurants in continental Croatia and 20 restaurants in the area of coastal Croatia (among the best in 2016). Questions were asked about the extent to which the contemporary gastronomic trends were represented on the menus of selected Croatian restaurants. An interview was conducted with founder and owner of Palatin restaurant in Varazdin.Findings show that Croatian restaurants are aware of new trends in nutrition and culinary area, but the offer of dishes covered by these trends is insufficient. Gastro tourism as a selective form of tourism is poorly associated as a special segment. It is assumed that around 3% of the total world travel is motivated by gastronomy as the primary motive of travel. Considering that tourism in Croatia is an important economic activity. Croatia's gastronomic offer surely can be measured with the offer of other European destinations, such as Spain, Italy and other countries on this issue, but sadly this potential of Croatia is still poorly used.

Winter Tourism in Croatia: Is It Possible?

Tourism in Croatia primarily relies on the “sun and sea” product as the main asset of its offering. The current lack of adequate infrastructure, an underdeveloped winter tourism offering and the lack of stakeholders’ interest in developing winter tourism products are only some of the problems facing winter tourism development in Croatia. Winter tourism development does not include only snow-related activities but all outdoor activities, where weather and climate play a significant role. This paper analyzes the relationship between average monthly climate indicators in summer and winter periods and the number of overnight stays in Croatia from 1977 to 2014. In the regression analysis, we used a multivariate model with first difference specification and ordinary least square (OLS) estimation, in which past period of the dependent variable was also included. Seasonality was controlled by using quarterly dummy variable. The analyses for coastal and continental Croatia were made separately. Using regression and correlation analyses, we prove that Croatian tourism in the coastal part is strongly related to climate parameters while that influence in the continental part is less significant. The main hypothesis of the paper is that, with the increase in temperature, the tourism season will be prolonged in both the coastal and continental part of the Republic of Croatia. However, other interventions in tourism (such as raising the quality, expanding the offering etc.) can also increase tourism results since climate parameters do not have the same effect on the continental and coastal part of the Republic of Croatia. The impending climate change will cause climate indicators to change, thus unlocking the potential for winter tourism development in areas not related to the sea, but also requiring the development of various forms of special-interest tourism. Winter tourism in Croatia represents a big potential not only because climate change will potentially make winters in Croatia milder but also because, with the right policies, there is a huge potential to develop the undeveloped region of continental Croatia with products that would diversify the Croatian tourism offerings.

Nautical Tourism

In nautical tourism, Croatia has great potential for further development; from the conditions of navigation, safety, destination content, traffic accessibility, natural beauty, traditional hospitality and gastronomic offer of island and coastal places, etc. Its features, at the same time, are the advantages of competing countries: purity of the sea and coastal places, beauty and preservation nature, climate, security, hospitality, country image and spatial layout of the marina. The disadvantages relate to insufficient availability and nautical ports equipment, insufficient education, low level of technical service at nautical ports. The research aimed at analysing the current state of nautical tourism in Croatia. The methods used, based on the collected data, have been analysed. The results of the analysis rely on the existing state of nautical tourism, which determines the importance of additional investment in this form of tourism. The aim of the research is to define and shape the necessary measures and development strategies to achieve the purpose of research: the development of nautical tourism contributes to the growth of Croatia’s economy.

A Comparative Analysis of Accommodation Capacities of Nautical Tourism Ports in Croatia and in the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County

Croatia is one of the major Mediterranean destinations for nautical tourism owing to its countless attractions, indented coastline, numerous islands, climatic and other advantages. An important factor for achieving a full development potential is the availability of infra- and supra-structure, which is reflected through investments in new marinas, anchorages and other facilities. The article analyses accommodation capacities of ports for nautical tourism in Croatia. The authors give an overview of the current situation with an emphasis on the County of Primorje-Gorski Kotar. The purpose of this article is to analyse the growing need for accommodation capacities in nautical tourism ports and to point to the importance of building new marinas and berths, especially for boats long between 12 and 15 meters.

Vidljive i prikrivene sociokulturne posljedice uniformiranosti suvremenog turizma

The duality of contemporary tourism is reflected in the stable distribution o f, on the one hand, positive and, on the other, negative and unfavourable social and economic functions. The paper investigates the causes and the manifestations of a specific and more and more significant (regarding its immanent dangers) field of tourism which speaks of the so-called “other”, dark, negative, unfavourable, conflictual, even pathological in certain elements side of this contemporary and prestigious-important social-economic phenomenon. The investigation is a segment of the author’s scientific project which has been accepted by the Croatian Ministry of Science and Technology entitled “Social and Economic Contradictions of Croatian Tourism” and whichwill investigate the social and sociocultural negative phenomena in tourism both in Croatia and elsewhere. The aim and purpose of die project is to diagnose the problems, to systematise them, to establish the ways and measures to relativise, alleviate or uproot a part or the totality of these phenomena all with the purpose to affirm and advance its positive social and economic functions and activities in order to achieve more permanent and lucrative social and economic effects. Various examples of visible and hidden consequences from world tourism culled from the relevant sources warn and make suggestions to Croatian toursim how to “actualize” this question for the benefit of tourism in Croatia.

O nekim sociokulturološkim oznakama i kontroverzama našeg turizma

Due to the neglect of the interdisciplinary and socio-cultural approach and the preference shown for the economic approach in investigating and applying the world and, in praticular, the Yugoslav tourist trade, this international phenomenon, in its constant and developing form, alongside positive traits, has acquired distanct negative and deviant characteristics and tendencies.Contrasting its positive with its negative features in the sphere of general and theoretical considerations, as well as in the practical given situation as exemplified by examples from tourism in Croatia and Yugoslavia, the author gives an inventory of the present situation. Employing examples from developed world sites and some autochthonous Yugoslav specifics, he points io the possibility and necessity of a more qualitative and selective development, With arguments and .justifiable amotional commitment, the paper unmasks and critically evaluates everything that contributes to the deviations and negative developments; all of this is viwed in the context of a search for new and original solutionis for the territory under consideration, isolating, with sufficient reason, the Eastern Adriatic seaboard.The purpose of this critical assessment is, on the one hand, to reduce and overcome numerous unfavourable conditions through planned endeavours and theoretical breakthroughs and, an the other, to qualitatively develop and build up its positive characteristics.Giving this panoramic analysis of the actual state of tourism in Yugoslavia, the author with hope and reason believes in its better tomorrow.

Modelling domestic tourism in Croatia

The aim of this paper is to use extrapolative models in the attempt to analyse and understand domestic tourism demand flows in Croatia. Such, more detailed and systematic studies should be considered as starting points of future tourism development strategies in Croatia, as a predominantly tourism oriented country. Croatian tourism is predominantly internationally oriented. Nevertheless, domestic tourism demand should be considered more exhaustively in quantitative tourism researches. The present study emphasizes the necessity of more systematic domestic tourism demand determinants quantitative analysis and researches. Econometric modelling and forecasting should be considered as a significant Croatia's tourism sector development tool. The objective of the study is therefore to examine the determinants and the functional form of domestic tourism demand in Croatia. As an approximation of domestic tourism demand, the monthly number of domestic tourist arrivals in Croatia is analysed from January 2005 to December 2017. Modelling and ex post forecasting is performed using some extrapolative models i.e. the seasonal naive model, the seasonal multiplicative Holt-Winters triple exponential smoothing model, the seasonal multiplicative exponential trend model and the seasonal multiplicative integrated autoregression moving average model. Modelling the actual number of monthly domestic tourist arrivals was done for the period from January 2005 to December 2017. Based on the selected forecast models, the ex post forecast of the future value of the monthly number of domestic arrivals was made for the period from January 2018 to September 2018. The statistical diagnostic performance tests of the used models and the analysis of their prognostic efficiency showed that all the models fit well the actual data throughout the entire estimation and forecasting period.

WWOOFing: A new model of transformative tourism in Croatia

WWOOFing: A new model of transformative tourism in Croatia

ЧИННИКИ РОЗВИТКУ ТУРИЗМУ В ХОРВАТІЇ

International tourism is gaining increasing influence on the country’s competitiveness in the world markets. The article is dedicated to Croatia, one of the most successful countries in the former Yugoslav republic. Its disintegration became one of the world’s national conflicts, where many human bloods were shed, by the way, it is similar to that which Ukraine is going through today. The Croats managed to put an end to the separatist conflict, embark on a plan for economic stability and enter the European Union. It was investigated that tourism was one of the priority development areas that the country focused on. It is determined that Croatia is one of the most important tourist destinations in the Mediterranean region, and the tourism industry is developing successfully and generating a stable income. The article considers the system of factors which became the prerequisite for the development of the tourist industry in Croatia. Their role in the development of the modern tourism industry in Croatia has been characterized. The main natural-geographical factors are investigated – relief, climate, water factor and nature reserve fund. It is determined that the advantage of Croatia is not only the clean and warm Adriatic sea but also the availability of thermal waters and mineral springs, as well as a unique natural reserve fund. The significance of human-geographical factors – socio-geographical position, historical-geographical, demographic, cultural-historical, level of socio-economic development, material and technical base and transport factors are revealed. Interestingly, the accession of Croatia to the EU was not prevented either by the territorial problems that the country had with Slovenia, nor the restrained attitude of the population towards European integration, nor the external debt of the country, which exceeded the crisis mark for the European Union. An analysis of the level of economic development in Croatia showed that Croatia had become one of the poorest countries of the EU at the time of its accession to this organization. The analysis of the main indicators of socio-economic development of the country in 2017 showed that today Croatia has become a very attractive European country, which tourists are willing to visit. The basis of Croatia’s economy is the service sector, whose share in the country’s GDP is 70.8%, of which direct revenue from tourism is 10.9%. The key factor in the development of tourism in Croatia is the material and technical base. In particular, the system of accommodation of Croatia for quality and service is not inferior to other European countries. Roads are the most modern and safe in Europe. The importance of tourism development in Croatia for the ecological and geographical factor is analyzed. It has been determined that an effective system of governance has been created in Croatia for the protection of the environment. Effective state tourism policy contributes to improving the attractiveness of Croatia in the tourist market and accelerates integration processes in the world economy.

Sports and Recreational Tourism of Koprivnica Krizevci County in Republic of Croatia

Today many experts consider tourism a complex phenomenon, and it is very frequent and a constant object of research. Almost everywhere in the world there is an area that is daily visited by tourists. Trends and society are changing, but the motives of travel remain the same. There is an increasing imperative set to sport and recreation on your vacation precisely because of the hectic everyday lifestyle. Even more nowadays tourism wants to encourage tourists to the do sports activities, including many other facilities in the surroundings of the selected destinations. Sports and recreational tourism in the present time is developing more, and actually in Croatia it is one of the special forms of tourism which has a high tendency to increase. Given the distinct diversity of climates in certain tourist areas, sport and tourism in Croatia is the most attached to coastal areas and very pronounced seasonality. Such a situation brings with it the advantages, but also the shortcomings, which are more obvious in the mass character of the tourist demand. Each of the specific forms of tourism, sports and recreation, has brought a certain damage, and all because of poor organization and an extremely high concentration of tourists on small areas. Koprivnica-Križevci County abounds with sports and recreational facilities which are already used or yet to be discovered. With extremely good transport links in the area of Koprivnica-Križevci County there are many mountains and beautiful rivers and forests. In a sea of greenery, it is possible to enjoy the beautiful bike ride along the famous routes along the Drava River or Bilogora, go hiking on the 28 April, or simply stroll through the trim-paths. With a good organization, incorporation and the work of professional service it is possible to bring sports and recreational offer of the County to a higher level.

SWOT Analysis and Related Countermeasures for Croatia to Explore the Chinese Tourist Source Market

Abstract Croatia is a land endowed with rich and diversified natural and cultural tourist resources. Traveling around Croatia, I was stunned by its beauty. However, I noticed that there were few Chinese tourists in Croatia. How can we bring more Chinese tourists to Croatia? How can we make them happy and comfortable in Croatia? And, at the same time, how can we avoid polluting this tract of pure land? Based on first-hand research work, I make a SWOT analysis of the Chinese tourist source market of Croatia and put forward related countermeasures from the perspective of a native Chinese. The positioning of tourism in Croatia should be ingeniously packaged. I recommend developing diversified and specialized tourist products, various marketing and promotional activities, simple and flexible visa policies and regulations, and other related measures to further explore the Chinese tourist source market of Croatia.