Interview: Mr. MILAN PERIĆ, a head for the Dubrovnik department of toirism anf enterprise: “A key to success in tourism? Man!

This year the city of Dubrovnik won a title of a real tourist champion – it has been proclaimed the best large destination on the Adriatic. City’s head for the department of tourism and enterprise, Milan Perić, strongly believes that the credit of such an achievement goes to people, and that the education of the staff is the wisest and most profitable investment. We wanted to find out first-hand the secret of such stellar success!

• This year the city of Dubrovnik received the most prestigious professional awards for the quality of tourist services and achievements during last tourist season. What is, in your opinion, the key to such success?

Above all, it is a result of a long-planned policy of destination management. We can immodestly say that it was expected and deserved. Every year we do an analysis of the previous ones and make plans for the years to come that include a variety of training, refreshments of knowledge and innovations. Here we are talking about hoteliers, caterers, commerce, taxi associations, public transport, etc. An example of investment in the entire tourist service of a destination is a high fifth place in the poll on the taxi services satisfaction on a global scale according to one tourism website.

• What element sets the tourist offer of the town of Dubrovnik apart from the rest? What is, in your opinion, its forte, or in slang words – X factor that attracts guests?

In addition to the cultural and historical attractions, entertainment, cuisine, excellent service at all levels and promptly targeted marketing activities, are fundamental preconditions to the arrival of guests in our town first and every other time.

• We know that in your opinion this kind of success in tourism is to a large extent owed to people. Could you explain why you believe that the education of tourism professionals is of the utmost importance?

Any business as well as tourism, besides tracking trends, requires investing in people and in their education, updating their knowledge and skills. Without these efforts it is difficult to achieve an optimal result. However, we are aware that all of this is expected from Dubrovnik. We who are performing certain duties have to constantly encourage those efforts, because without quality staff we cannot expect not only superior results, but even a certain level of competitiveness. Tourism as a service industry demands maximum involvement of all and it is not merely a coincidence that a man is a key to success in tourism.

• Has the project “Dubrovnik Gastronomic Quality” met your expectations? How has the project contributed to the raising of the gastronomic offer of the city to an even higher level?

Project “Dubrovnik Gastronomic Quality” has proven to be above all expectations. This project is not uniformed, but is constantly being refined and improved. Guests have recognized the value that lies behind that label, and there are more and more of them who consult a brochure that lists restaurants that have deservedly been awarded with the “Dubrovnik Gastronomic Quality” sign through the assessment of the expert committee and “mystery shoppers”.

• What is your view on the development of national tourism in the future? As head of the renowned domestic destination, what guidelines you would give to the destinations that would like to improve their offer?

Croatian tourism must raise its competitiveness through quality of offerings and its selective forms. Everything good that happens in Dubrovnik should be replicated to the rest of Croatia, but this doesn’t mean that Dubrovnik cannot learn and take good advices from other regions, such as Istria for instance. Therefore, we can say that every guest should be approached individually and be provided with the autochtonous offer of the region in which he stays. A satisfied customer is the best (free) commercial.

Dubrovnik in the future has to keep track of what guests want and enrich its tourist offer, whether it is a cultural, historical, entertainment or some other segment, with the aim of extending the tourist season to a whole year. In certain terms, we have reached the limits of our physical capabilities, so the expansion of tourist offer is essential in order for the City to absorb the growing number of tourists who would like to come and visit us.

INTERVIEW: PAUL BRADBURY

The Christmas tree in the main square of my adopted home town of Jelsa went up on December 21 last year, an exciting event for the local children. Shortly afterwards, there was a nativity festival by the church, with live donkeys and goats to give added authenticity. Christmas Day came with the usual small selection of presents from the man in red, followed by a family lunch. Christmas as it should be, and just one example of how bringing up children away from the commercialised world of richer societies is one of the lesser highlighted treasures of life in Dalmatia.

Like any parent, I want the best start for my children, and there were obvious concerns about bringing up children on a tourist island such as Hvar, not least access to health care in emergency and lack of access to entertainment facilities, from basic softplay centres to more regularly organised children’s events. I need not have worried, for bringing up kids in Dalmatia is a much more wholesome experience than back home. There are several reasons for this:
SAFETY
There are few more pleasurable experiences for parents on holiday in Dalmatia than relaxing with a coffee in a pretty stone square watching the kids running around in total safety. While nowhere is unfortunately 100% safe these days, Dalmatia comes close, and the intermingling of local and international children of all ages, who strike up instant friendships despite the lack of a common language, is one of the most appreciated aspects of a holiday by many parents. Dalmatia is an exceptionally child-friendly society, where older kids look out for the younger, and where the network of extended family means that children not only feel safe, but are so. The relaxed approach rubs off on visiting parents, allowing them to enjoy precious moments alone.
NATURE
Coming from a large city like Manchester, I am a little envious of my kids’ natural bond with Mother Earth. No Play Stations here, one of their favourite activities is helping Grandpa in the family field, be it the annual family olive harvest or helping plant potatoes. Respect for nature and an affinity with the treasures of the soil (and sea) is a part of the way of life. It may be a long way to Disneyland from Hvar, but the level of organised activities for children – most of which are within walking distance – provide a healthy, more stimulating start to life. The life of a six year-old includes horse riding, rowing club, ballet classes, chess club and weekly art classes in a delightful art studio in a nearby village, as well as those visits to the field.
SWIMMING
The biggest gift of all, and the cause of a little more paternal envy – the Adriatic. Having learned to swim at the age of 29, I look on with joy as my two little dolphins followed in their mother’s footsteps to become accomplished swimmers at the age of three. The daily routine from June to September includes an afternoon at the beach, a chance to strengthen swimming skills, as well as to commune with that all- pervasive friend, Nature. Ironically, one of the biggest concerns –  emergency health care – also seems to work more efficiently than back home. A sudden illness resulted in the medical decision to transfer my daughter to hospital in Split, a feat accomplished in just 30 minutes by helicopter. Of course there are many advantages to bringing up children in other societies, but for a safe and natural start to life, there can be few better options than Dalmatia. I will report back in ten years when the girls are complaining about the nightlife options in January…
Write: Paul Bradbury

Popular little houses on the Promenade, the favourite destination for fun of numerous citizens of Split and guests open their doors on December 2 at 18.00. Everything will look the same, and they will be open till January 10, 2014. Christmas Fair will exhibit Christmas products and tree decorations, books, multimedia, designed souvernirs and gifts, gastronomic offer, information on the craft businesses and tourist boards of cities and districts. Almost every day the main Fair stage will host appropriate holiday programs. The Promenade will be the “in” place for socializing this year and during holidays as well, the organizers announce! Even you can experience and be a part of the real holiday atmossphere on the Promenade.

1.12. Sunday
Peristil
12.00am – 01.30pm
Music Youth
17th days of spiritual music ‘Split sings’

6. 12. Friday
TIC – Peristil ( St. Roch church )
Exhibition
‘Puppets in Croatian folk costumes with Christmas – New Year’s decoration’
The exhibition opens on December 6 in the organization of the TB of the City of Split and the Association of War Invalids of the City of Split (UIRGS)
Promenade
Entertaining program
Srdelice, DNF, Sedmi vjetar, Vruća čokolada

7.12. Saturday
11.00am – 00.30pm
Promenade
Entertaining program
Srdelice, DNF, Sedmi vjetar, Vruća čokolada

13. 12. Friday
Promenade
Entertaining program
Srdelice, DNF, Sedmi vjetar, Vruća čokolada

14. 12. Saturday
11.00am – 00.30pm
Promenade
Entertaining program
Srdelice, DNF, Sedmi vjetar, Vruća čokolada

21. 12. Saturday
11.00am – 00.30pm
Promenade
Entertaining program
Srdelice, DNF, Sedmi vjetar, Vruća čokolada

24. 12. Tuesday
11.00am – 01.00pm
Prokurativa
Distribution of cod fish with the appropriate program with two acapellas

26.12. Thursday
11.00am – 00.30pm
Promenade
Brodosplit quire
06.00pm – 07.30pm
Public square
Duo Lite motiv
06.00pm – 07.30pm
Promenade
Zabavni bend More More
08.00pm
Promenade
DJ

27. 12. Friday
11.00am – 00.30pm
Promenade
Mješovita klapa Filip Dević
6.00pm – 07.30pm
Public square
Ivo Perkušić i & band
06.00pm – 07.30pm
Promenade
Salsa party – Professional dance couples
08.00pm
Promenade
DJ

28. 12. Saturday
11.00am – 00.30pm
Promenade
Mandolinski sastav Jedinstvo
06.00pm – 07.30pm
Public square
OLD ROAD ( Ivan Škvorc )
06.00pm – 07.30pm
Promenade
Repasagge
08.00pm
Promenade
DJ

30. 12. Monday
11.00am – 00.30pm
Promenade
Zumba Zumba on the Promenade – dance with us into New Year
06.00pm – 07.30pm
Public square
Kvartet Spalato
06.00pm – 07.30pm
Promenade
Split night ( klapa JEŽINAC, klapa MARJAN, Duo SOL, klapa ZVONČAC
08.00pm
Promenade
DJ

31. 12. Tuesday
11.30am – 01.00pm
Promenade
Children’s New Year

New year’s eve
08.00pm
– GIBONNI
– MJESNI ODBOR
-TRIBUTE TO DINO DVORNIK

Izvor: www.visitsplit.com

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ZAGREB, A CITY BREAK
At the recently finished Baku International Tourism Film Festival, held in the capital of Azerbaijan, the Romanian film about Zagreb won the first place in the category of TV reports.

The film, titled “Zagreb, a city break” was created as a result of a study tour of the Romanian TV Channel Travel Mix, organized by the Zagreb Tourist Board. The participants were: Ms Madalina Neagoe – producer and Mr. Ion Gheorghe – cameraman. In 42 minutes the report shows all the most important attractions of Zagreb and its surroundings. It was made in July last year; it is synchronized to the English language and is available at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9dqvzkj01s

The Zagreb Tourist Board is constantly working on the promotion of the Croatian capital. Through the cooperation with the media around the world, organization of the special promotions and participation at fairs, Zagreb was turned into one of the must-see destinations in Croatia.

Source, photo: www.zagreb-touristinfo.hr