Sep 5 2011
One Of The Most Sought After Destinations On The Croatian Coast Is The Makarska Riviera In Central Dalmatia, With Its Clean Sea, Sun-Bathed Beaches And An Established Traveller Custom.
One of the most requested destinations on the Croatian coast is the Makarska in central Dalmatia, with its clean sea, sun-bathed beaches and an established tourist custom. Many visitors from Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) visit the area, either for a weekend or full vacation.
An article broadcast in the local newspaper Makarska Riviera, penned by the newspaper’s editor in July, drew negative attention domestically and regionally. The essay, titled Guests that are a Surplus by Ivo Corkovic, claims that “guests from BiH aren’t welcome as they do not spend enough money, pollute the sea and just occupy space on the beaches”.
Initially the writer addresses the Problems in Croatian tourism in general, then turns attention to guests from BiH. Corkovic refers to holiday makers from BiH as “an elementary disaster which, sadly, can’t be avoided or eliminated”.
The tract drew negative public reaction on either side of the border.
Croatia’s Ministry of Tourism reacted quickly to Corkovic’s article in a press release. “All guests are welcome to Croatia, regardless of their country of origin. There are no top class or second class guests,” Minister of Tourism Damir Bajs said. The ministry’s official information states that BiH travellers are the second in number after German visitors on the Makarska Riviera.
Some BiH guests have whinged they are treated according to the quantity of cash they spend holidaying in Croatia.
“I propose to spend my monthly income in Makarska. I do not think I am cheap, much less that I pollute the beach or the sea, but I am bitter to be treated as a less significant tourist,” Stjepan Knezovic from Busovaca claims.
Another BiH visitor, Amela Corbic from Sarajevo asserts, “My family has been coming for holidays in Croatia for years ; it is a custom (in our family). But this year I’m going to go to Turkey. I’d like to be given respect for my cash, of which one gets less and less in Croatia.”
Due to large media attention and public indignation over Corkovic’s article, Croatian President Ivo Josipovic told his reaction asking for equal treatment of Croatia’s visitors.
“Every guest is welcome in Croatia, particularly our pals from BiH. Most people don’t welcome guests according to the thickness of their wallets. Therefore , welcome dear folks from Bosnia and Herzegovina,” Josipovic recounted.
With Croatia’s traveller season at its peak, the country is trying for each tourist and expectations run high from this season.
“As a city [Makarska] and country heavily relaying on [income from] tourism, they should not allow an individual opinion of one newshound destroy their image, especially considering the [geographical] nearness of travellers from BiH to this area. The problem will have an economic reflection in Makarska this year, and years to come,” Mirza Mehmedovic, BiH communications expert, told SETimes.
BiH envoy to Croatia Vladimir Raspudic related that Corkovic’s article is offensive but pointed out the position of one individual does not reflect the disposition of all.
“There is no question this article caused damage, but it expresses the position of one individual. I expect that local Makarska residents will have a lot to point out to the author of this truly unacceptable text, which does not contribute to the development of good relations between BiH and the Republic of Croatia,” writes tagza.com.
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