March the 26th, 2025 – The largest investment in Croatian tourism can be found in Istria, where a massive 200 million euros is being poured into just one location.
As Jutarnji list/Barbara Ban writes, construction is currently in full swing in Poreč, where the largest investment in Croatian tourism, the Pical hotel and zone, can be found. Currently set to open in 2026, this enormous investment will alter Istria’s tourism scene. This week, it was visited by the Mayor of Poreč, Loris Peršurić, and Željko Kukurin, President of the Valamar Management Board.
The works are progressing according to plan, and the opening of the result of the largest investment in Croatian tourism is planned for early 2026. The Pical hotel will offer year-round tourism of the highest quality, create new permanent jobs and generally contribute to a better quality of life for the residents of Poreč.
By investing a staggering 200 million euros in the Pical zone alone, public tourism infrastructure will be developed, including promenades, bike trails, a beach, indoor and outdoor swimming pools and a number of other facilities that will be available to tourists and the local population alike. In addition, through cooperation with various sports clubs, Valamar will ensure the use of the indoor 25-metre and outdoor 50-metre pools for training children and athletes from local clubs. The company will also strongly contribute to strengthening the sports and recreation infrastructure across Poreč.
“The massive Pical project is bringing with it a new dimension of tourism to this city – one that will last all year round and benefit not only guests, but residents. I’m particularly pleased that we’ve managed to work together to ensure that Pical, where Poreč’s residents grew up and enjoyed the sea, continues to be a place accessible to everyone. There will be high quality public facilities such as promenades, bike trails, beaches and, I’d especially like to emphasise, swimming pools that will be available to our sports clubs and residents.
Poreč has been setting standards in tourism for years now, and projects like these ensure that we’re developing towards a year-round destination where everyone will benefit from tourism – from restaurateurs and companies to local athletes and families,” statedd the Mayor of the City of Poreč, Loris Peršurić.
Hotel Pical 5* will bring the highest level of quality and 2,000 new guests throughout the year. The largest congress centre on the Istrian peninsula, with a capacity of 1,200 participants, will be built as part of the hotel, which will position Poreč more strongly in the business group market. The expansion of this type of offer will enable the extension of the tourist season to 365 days and increase tourism revenues for the Poreč outside of the summer season. Among other facilities, it’s worth highlighting the Maro World playhouse and the construction of a series of children’s playgrounds that will also be available to children from Poreč.
“This, the largest investment in Croatian tourism, represents a change in Poreč tourism towards doing year-round business and high-quality tourism. The direct economic effects of opening Hotel Pical are a fresh 3 million euros each year for the city budget, and almost 15 million euros of further spending in restaurants, cafes and more, primarily in the old town of Poreč. The beaches, promenades, and other recreational facilities in the Pical zone have been and will remain available to both locals and guests. We’re especially thrilled that we’ll now have swimming pools and training facilities for our local sports clubs,” said Željko Kukurin, President of the Valamar Management Board.
The largest investment in Croatian tourism will have a strong positive impact on the local economy and local businesses. The construction of the hotel is being led by Croatian companies, with other domestic enterprises involved in the construction. They include designers, builders, suppliers for decoration and equipment, subcontractors and more.
The contribution to the local economy will continue after the hotel opens, since Valamar ensures a high share of domestic products in its operations. Impressively, as much as 78% of the food and beverages it serves come from elsewhere in Croatia. In addition to that, Valamar continuously cooperates with Croatian manufacturers, including more than 100 local suppliers from across Istria itself.
With the completion of this enormous project, the Pical zone will gain a completely new value – as the most attractive tourist zone in all of Croatia. It will also be recognised as a tourist space that remains alive all year round, with plenty of quality amenities for local residents and visitors alike.
