Meet Dubrovnik's Digital Nomads-in-Residence: Carolyn Zelikow from USA on Hvar

The DNiR programme, which has been designed by Saltwater Nomads, in partnership with Total Croatia News, the CIty of Dubrovnik and the Dubrovnik Tourist Board (and financed by the latter two), is an innovative direction for the Pearl of the Adriatic, as it looks to diversify its tourism strategy away from overtourism and in the wake of the pandemic.

Carolyn Zelikow is an American digital marketer from Virginia living the good life in the ancient port town of Stari Grad on island Hvar.

1. You are a DN-i-R winner. Congratulations! How do you feel?

Thrilled of course! And honored to take part in such an innovative program.

2. How did you hear about the competition, and why did you decide to apply?

I read about the competition on TCN, which has been such a great resource since I started planning to visit Croatia last summer. I applied to the program because I have fallen in love with this country and want to understand it better. The DN-i-R initiative struck me as an unbelievable opportunity to meet some of the country’s most innovative policymakers and business owners.

3. Which particular skills and ideas will you be bringing to the party?

I’m a digital marketer with a background in policy and the humanities. For my job in the United States, I work with clients who are trying to compete and win online. I sense that Croatia could also do more in that area and I’m eager to learn about the state of e-commerce, tech education, and other factors that might build the country’s knowledge economy. What role, if any, can expats play in accelerating that diversification?

4. What are you most looking forward to about DNIR?

Without question, it’s the people. After so many months of pandemic-enforced hibernation I’m just eager to collaborate and brainstorm with real living humans again. I hope I still remember how! And Dubrovnik is such a compelling location. I’ve visited only briefly in the past, and can’t wait to explore the city and surrounding region with more time and great company.