Nautical tourism development strategy 2008 to 2018: Revenue of HRK15 billion in 10 years
Topic: Business
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The strategy suggests that with the construction of 15,000 new moorings and annual growth of 9.8%, revenue by 2018 should reach HRK15 billion
Croatia’s coastline is 6,278
kms in length with an
average density of 2.6
moorings per kilometre. Thus,
the coast is not yet overcrowded.
Compared with other Mediterranean
countries, Croatia still has
room to develop its nautical infrastructure.
For example, France
has 64 moorings per kilometre,
Slovenia 56.9, and Italy 20.2. Of
all Mediterranean countries, only
Greece and Turkey have a lower
mooring density then Croatia. In
2007, 54,864 foreign ships and
yachts visited the Croatian part
of the Adriatic, 4.25% higher
than in 2006.
These vessels
brought in 287,307 tourists or
about 3.16% more than the same
period of 2006. The average daily
consumption of nautical tourists
has grown from €72 in 2004 to
€100 in 2007, and is 47% higher
than the consumption of other
tourists.
Response to Changes
The economic effects of nautical
tourism are thus considerable
contributing to overall tourism
revenue with over 10%.
“As a result of building motorways
and connections to Adriatic
roads, and also to the attractiveness
of our coastline, nautical tourists
have thronged to the Croatian
coast. The Croatian government
advocates a restrained scenario
for the building of new nautical
capacities taking into consideration
our respect for nature and the
environment,” the Minister of
Sea, Transport and Infrastructure,
Božidar Kalmeta, said recently.
Over the past few years nautical
tourism has changed dramatically
especially in terms of numbers
and the average size of yachts. In
fact, mega-yachts demand special
moorings and a special infrastructure.
“For this reason, and because
we have recognised the importance
of the nautical sector in tourism as
well as in the economy as a whole,
a development strategy proposal
will be submitted to the Government
shortly, and it is likely to be
adopted by the end of the year”,
said Branko Bačić, State Secretary
for Sea. According to Minister
Kalmeta, this strategy foresees
the construction of 15,000 new
moorings in at least 15 new locations
over the next 10 years. The
strategy also suggests that, with
planned annual growth of 9.8%,
revenue from nautical tourism
should reach HRK15 billion in
2018. The siting of new moorings
will be defined on strategic environmental
impact studies, in order
to achieve sustainable growth.
Investors unknown
“The 15 predicted locations are
merely potential areas which will
be determined after the completion
of strategic environmental
impact studies for each location,
and according to urban and spatial
plans. Therefore, construction
details for certain areas, as well
as potential investors, are not yet
known. In fact, any such construction
requires a concession for a
maritime zone, and these are issued
based on public bidding”,
explains Bačić. One interested
investor for the construction of
marinas is the Zagreb based company
Ingra. “A more rapid harmonisation
of spatial plans with the
strategy would significantly assist
potential investors, encourage
quicker achievement of projects
and therefore the faster development
of Croatian nautical tourism.
The Croatian coast allows for exceptional
growth in nautical tourism,
which is of significant comparative
advantage for the tourism
services market. Mega-yachts are,
of course, welcome. In addition to
their users being high spenders,
media attention brings free promotion
throughout the world and
attracts additional nautical tourists
with medium sized vessels. These
will always be the backbone of
nautical tourism”, emphasised
Željan Konsuo, Director of Ingra’s
South sector.
“The objectives of this strategy are
primarily sustainable use and the
management of resources. Therefore
it is necessary to fully revise
urban and spatial planning in order
to achieve the goal of moderate
building. It is also a certainty
that the administrative procedure
will be simplified, especially concerning
concessions. The creation
of an integrated approach to nautical
tourism is also planned” concluded
Bačić.
Source: PV International 24.11.2008.
By: Jozo Vrdoljak
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