The anti-epidemic measures might be slowly being released, but the Croatian nautical tourism sector is seeking not only further relaxations, but clearer definitions of certain rules and protocols.
As Novac writes on the 8th of May, 2020, the Association of Marinas of the Croatian Chamber of Commerce (HGK) welcomed the amendment to the Decision banning entry into seaports and inland ports in the Republic of Croatia, which, among other things, will sllow for the entry of yachts with a hull length of more than 24 metres into Croatian nautical ports or ports open to public traffic, as well as all vessels sailing under the Croatian flag.
Considering the fact that a significant part of Croatian nautical tourism consists of boats and yachts which are less than 24 metres, especially those that are not exclusively Croatian-owned, the Association of Marinas of HGK appeals for their inclusion in the amendment and calls for the further definition of a clear protocol for accepting vessels in Croatia’s ports.
“Without clear measures for accepting ships, it will be almost impossible for Croatian marinas to receive guests and provide services. That’s why we’ve drafted a protocol and sent it to the Croatian Institute of Public Health and the competent Ministries of Maritime Affairs and Tourism, and we’re waiting for the latest instructions so that we can start providing reception services for guests in marinas. Given the potential of the nautical sector, we believe that the final proposal should be determined as soon as possible,” said the president of the Association of Marinas of HGK, Sean Lisjak, adding that some of Croatian nautical tourism’s competing destinations, such as Montenegro, have already made progress in this regard.
The competent ministry has recognised Croatian nautical tourism as the first activity that could restart in regard to the country’s tourism-related activities. Therefore, we hope that Croatian nautical tourism will finally and officially be classified in the tourism segment and that the Croatian Government will respect our set of measures to help the sector out, which was something that was proposed back at the end of March,” said Lisjak.
Once again, the aforementioned association discussed the expectation of exemption of marinas from the payment of both the fixed and the variable part(s) of the concession fee for the use of maritime property/domain, which was the topic of the last meeting with the state secretaries of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and the Ministry of Tourism.
It was also concluded that in this crisis that it was evident that the long-standing appeal for the inclusion of marinas in the Croatian tourism sector must continue to be emphasised, as they were not accepted for tourism support, unlike other activities in the sector under these difficult, coronavirus-induced circumstances.
A special topic was the relationship with charters and other tenants. The HGK’s charter association also supports the marinas’ request for the exemption of the payment of concession fees.
“The water is starting to come up around our necks, the payment deadlines are piling up, the charterers can’t pay them, and the marinas are waiting for measures [to address this issue] from the state. We’re all on hold,” stated Pasko Klisovic.
Charter companies have also sent a proposal for epidemiological measures to the CNIPH through the Croatian Chamber of Commerce, and some will start working with domestic guests as soon as passes (propusnice) are no longer needed.
“We hope they’ll accept our proposals and publish the recommendations for this as soon as possible,” added Klisovic.
“We asked through the Croatian Chamber of Commerce for inclusion in the CRO card scheme even before the coronavirus epidemic, and recently we talked to the Ministry of Tourism again about this topic and we were met with a great level of understanding,” noted Klisovic.
The aforementioned association says that some guests may replace their vacation in an apartment this year with a vacation on a boat that provides them with social distance and all the conditions that epidemiologists recommend. Therefore, they urge that their proposals be urgently accepted and that the start-up of marinas and charter companies be given the green light as soon as possible, especially since the fixed operating costs are extremely high and they cannot afford to miss out on business opportunities.
They conclude that positive information about the opening of Croatia’s borders and the Croatian nautical tourism as a safe destination and safe way of holidaying would be the best promotion and invitation to guests.
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