The Šibenik and Vodica areas have been marked by intense congress tourism in recent weeks. Hotel capacities have been filled with business events involving hundreds of domestic and foreign participants, with some guests accommodated in private lodging.
At Amadria Park in Šibenik, one of the largest congress centres in the country, more than 10 business events have been held over the past few weeks. The complex hosts over 100 business events annually and is currently recording growth of around 20 per cent compared to the previous year. Amadria Park has 23 conference halls and plans to keep three hotels open this winter.
In Vodica, congress tourism accounts for around 20 to 25 per cent of total overnight stays and accommodation revenue. Vlatka Kindl Kutija, head of reception at Hotel Olympia, and Anita Franin Pečarica, director of the Vodica City Tourist Board, emphasise that a rich additional offer is key to attracting these guests: wineries, oil tasting rooms, excursions, active and sports holidays, as well as medical and dental tourism.
Nikola Baraka, director of the Šibenik-Knin County Tourist Board, and Ante Banić, sales director at Amadria Park, highlight air links as one of the key prerequisites for further growth in year-round tourism. The importance of year-round and seasonal flights from European source markets was stressed, such as the recently opened Zadar – Munich route, which opens up additional opportunities to strengthen the economy of the entire Šibenik-Knin County.
Tourism operators note that there is still room for progress, particularly in terms of transport connectivity and international recognisability of the destination. Nevertheless, this year's congress tourism results in the Šibenik-Vodica area show that the MICE segment is becoming an increasingly important part of the year-round tourism offer.
