The Croatian Chamber of Economy’s Stories – Experience Premium Croatia platform was presented to international charter brokers, yachting companies and other industry professionals at the CRO.Y.A. Charter Show.
Dedicated to crewed charter yachts, the international event is taking place from 28 September to 1 October on Split’s West Coast. The presentation of Stories Croatia and a networking event for show participants were hosted aboard XCape, a luxury two-deck catamaran approximately 24 metres long, developed and built by Croatian shipyard Colnago Marine.
Connecting Croatia’s Premium Tourism Offering
“We already have a significant share of premium infrastructure within the nautical sector. Nearly 9,000 berths in Croatian marinas, or 39 percent of the total capacity, belong to the premium segment. This demonstrates that quality is already firmly embedded in a large part of our nautical infrastructure”, said Andreja Vukojević, Vice President of the Croatian Chamber of Economy.
“The next step is to connect that quality with other elements of Croatia’s premium offering – from gastronomy and accommodation to culture, nature and authentic experiences, as well as shipbuilding. This catamaran is an excellent example of how different sectors can work together to create a high-value-added product. The goal of Stories is to bring together the very best Croatia has to offer and present it to the international market as a comprehensive and integrated offering”, she added.
Stories Croatia brings together Croatia’s premium tourism offering through a network of more than 200 high-quality tourism providers spanning the nautical sector, hotels, campsites, villas, travel agencies and experiences. Within the nautical segment, the platform currently includes marinas and charter companies operating along the Adriatic coast.
Premium Charter Goes Beyond the Yacht
“Premium charter means providing guests with much more than a high-quality yacht. Adriatic Sailing, for example, operates a fleet of 53 vessels, ranging from catamarans and sailing boats to motor yachts and crewed yachts. But the number of vessels alone does not define a premium offering.
What matters is the combination of a high-quality fleet, skilled professionals and personalised service”, said Zlatko Vodanović, Director of Adriatic Sailing, a member of Stories Croatia.
“Sustainability is also becoming increasingly important. By connecting nautical tourism with other Croatian sectors, from shipbuilding to gastronomy, we can further develop the product and position it more effectively on the international market”, he added.
Marinas as Part of the Destination Experience
Another example of connecting nautical tourism with other sectors comes from D-Marin, which highlights the importance of integrating marina services with the wider destination offering – an approach that reflects the expectations of high-spending travellers.
“Nautical guests are looking for a complete destination experience that extends beyond the premium marina services we provide. At D-Marin, we believe that a marina is not separate from its destination but a natural part of it – immersed in local gastronomy, culture and lifestyle, and enriched by authentic experiences that reflect the character of the region”, said Nataša Subašić, Regional Director of D-Marin Croatia.
“By connecting with partners through platforms such as Stories – Experience Premium Croatia, we are building a high-quality offering that encourages guests to stay longer and creates benefits for the wider local community”, she added.
Extending the Premium Experience
Beyond the Marina
The presentation of Stories Croatia at the CRO.Y.A. Charter Show focused on connecting Croatia’s nautical offering with other elements of its premium tourism product, from gastronomy and accommodation to culture and authentic local experiences.
“Premium nautical tourism does not end when a guest arrives at the marina. The value it creates for a destination is also built through the experiences nautical guests enjoy on land. At Maslina Resort, for example, a day spent aboard a yacht or sailing boat can continue with a wellness treatment or a four-course dinner by the sea”, said Jelena Bilić Režić, Director of Marketing and Sales at Maslina Resort on Hvar, a member of Stories Croatia.
“Our offering also incorporates local products, connecting time spent at sea with authentic experiences on Hvar. This is exactly the kind of integration between nautical tourism and the local offering that is essential for the development of premium tourism”, she added.
This year’s CRO.Y.A. Charter Show programme includes yacht presentations, business meetings and professional seminars, as well as events and activities dedicated to gastronomy and sustainability.
