As Jutarnji/Novac/Jozo Vrdoljak writes, Rudan, a company from Zminj in Istria which is well known for its energy saving projects, has been making an increasing step towards tourism over more recent years. The company recently took over the popular Terme Jezercica from its previous owners, Zrinka and Ivana Lekic who are also known as owners of various nursing/care homes for the elderly and infirm. Graciano Rudan, the founder and owner of Rudan, also took over the management position at Terme Jezercica. Rudan reveals that his company has so far invested around 200 million kuna in various tourism projects.
As for Terme Jezercica, Rudan notes that his company’s spatial plan envisages the construction of another high-category hotel, and the existing hotel will be demolished in order to build a new one in its place. He added that the pools remain in good condition considering the fact that they’ve been recently renovated. He is especially satisfied with the quality of the area’s thermal water, which he says is of such quality that it can be used for drinking, which is quite rare.
”Now comes the management team, and then the investments in the area of Terme Jezercica. If everything goes according to plan, it’s possible that we’ll start part of the investments in Terme Jezercica in September next year. Of course, all this will depend on the speed of drafting projects and obtaining a building permit,” explained Rudan.
”As a company, Terme Jezercica is currently in the process of merging with Rudan, and this is a process that has already begun, so we’re merging the tourism sector with a parent company,” Rudan pointed out.
In Vodice, the Rudan company has also snapped up Hotel Radin and Hotels Villa Antonina and Arausana over the last few years. They also have a 28 percent stake in Hotels Vodice. Three years ago, they took over the Ucka Hotel on Ucka mountain, and given that this is a devastated hotel and a former INA resort, the hotel, as Graciano Rudan revealed, is currently in its initial design phase. Hotel Ucka otherwise boasts 32 rooms and sports fields on a space covering about 55,000 square metres in total.
As for the last tourist season, Rudan says he is satisfied.
”The tourist season was above our expectations, and when we complete all the projects we planned, we can expect a slow start to return on investment. For now, we’re continuing to operate sustainably,” stated Graciano Rudan.
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