The older I get, the clearer I see things, and the easier it becomes to get things done in Croatia.
The timeline:
October 2 – a TCN editorial: Could Digital Nomad Concepts Solve Croatian Winter Tourism Problem? (Please note, digital nomad concepts, not digital nomads)
October 3 – the article is shared on my Facebook page, and the first comment is from Martin Gannon, who was a UK tour rep based in former Yugoslavia from 1986-91:
Both the Amfora and now Riva in Hvar Town were open all winter plus a few restaurants and cafes looking after Mainly American tourists for walking, history and Arts, that was up to 1991.
October 4 – Martin kindly agreed to an interview, which turned out to be quite astonishing – Croatian Winter Tourism in 1990: Full of Life! Tour Rep Interview.
I invite anyone interested in developing Split winter tourism and with something to offer to contact me, just to see what might come out of the woodwork.
There were two big gold nuggets.
Maria Mustapic, co-owner of the excellent Zinfandel, Brasserie on 7, and Split Hostel, contacted me about efforts she was involved in, together with Jelena Tabak, President of the National Association of Restaurants.
I am also put in contact with Mario Seric, a tourism consultant who was heavily involved in a similar initiative back in 2008-9, and one with produced the concrete result of the Split-Munich year-round flight, which continues today.
October 28 – I raise the subject at Days of Croatian Tourism at the Sheraton in Dubrovacka Zupa in a panel of experts including TUI Nordic and easyJet holidays. This leads to a meeting and fruitful discussion with Jelena Tabak.
October 29 – Jelena raises the issue with Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic at the closed session on tourism at Days of Croatian Tourism.
November 5 – Sensing an opportunity, I drive from the Crikvenica International Health Tourism conference to Split to take part in Nomad Table, the excellent weekly gathering organised by Saltwater Nomads and Zinfandel, showing that Split is indeed full of life in winter. A fabulous evening and a complete sell-out (you can reserve your Friday night table here). I tag the Mayor of Split, Ivica Puljak and his wife Marijana, suggesting I reserve their table for next Friday. They both confirm.
November 6 – A very productive meeting with Maria Mustapic of Zinfandel, Jelena Tabak, and consultant Mario Seric, who was involved in that 2008 winter tourism initiative.
November 8 – Based on comprehensive data supplied by Mario, I publish Wow! Comparing Split, Dubrovnik Winter Flights to ExYu, Mediterranean Competition, to show just how nuts the situation is.
November 10 – The inbox gets busier, with lots of people having suggestions and wanting to share their views. TCN offers a free promo article plus interview on winter tourism for any business with a winter tourism offer in Split. First up, the Daltonist, with an excellent contribution to the debate.
November 12 – Mayor Puljak comes to Nomad Table at Zinfandel and has fruitful discussion with the Digital Nomad Association Croatia in the form of Jan de Jong, Tanja Polegubic, and Michael Freer, as well as Jelena Tabak. Check out the atmosphere in the video above.
November 14 – Jasmina Garbin from CHOPS Grill contacts TCN to say that there is considerable interest in developing winter tourism. Jasmina offers to host and help organise a round table of key stakeholders and give them lunch afterwards.
November 15 – CHOPS Grill is the second interview to be featured in the new TCN series.
November 18 – I sound out Mayor Puljak about his interest and availability for a Split winter tourism round table with lunch. He confirms his interest and attendance, suggesting a 10:00 start on December 13.
November 24 – Invitations are sent out to key stakeholders, with the aim of keeping the initial meeting to a maximum of 15 people. These include the City of Split and tourist board, Split-Dalmatia County and regional tourist board, Split Airport, representatives from the hotel, restaurant, and MICE industries, as well as tourism experts Mario Seric and Zoran Pejovic. Most have already confirmed.
December 13 – The round table will take place.
Not so hard, is it?
Let’s see what will be.
