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Malay Mail
4 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Croatia's coastline under threat as tourism boom fuels environmental concerns
BOZAVA, May 31 — With its rugged coastline, pristine waters and more than a thousand inlets and islands, Croatia has seen a tourist boom in recent years. Last year alone, more than 20 million visited the Balkan nation, much of which stretches along the Adriatic Sea. But the environmental impact of tourism on the nearly 6,000-kilometre (3,720-mile) coastline and marine life is troubling experts—and prompting calls for action. Sakarun beach on Dugi Otok island is often called 'Croatia's Caribbean'. Tourist boats drop anchor in the turquoise waters of the bay and head for its white sands. Some visitors complained, however, about unsightly swathes of Posidonia or dark Mediterranean seagrass on the shore, which led to its removal. The heavy machinery involved also removed sediment, resulting in the gradual disappearance of the sandy beach over the last decade. Croatia only has only a small number of sandy and pebble beaches, while the rest are rocky. 'We don't have many sandy beaches so it's important that the sand we have is protected,' said geologist Kristina Pikelj, from Zagreb University Faculty of Science. In 2021, she launched a project to monitor Sakarun, and to educate locals and tourists about the vital role played by the so-called 'lungs of the sea'. Posidonia—a key store of carbon and producer of oxygen—is critical to slowing the effects of climate change, as well as being vital for marine habitats and providing an erosion buffer for the beaches. For the past three years Posidonia, which was once used as a vineyard fertiliser, has been left on the beach, spread apart in piles. 'We understand the tourist aspect, to show them the sand, this bay is beautiful and people really enjoy it,' said Pikelj. Marija Meklav, one of three students participating in the fieldwork at Sakarun, added: 'We are trying to raise public awareness and achieve something directly through field and laboratory work. 'Our generation can achieve something in this regard,' the 24-year-old said. Artificial beaches With tourist numbers growing, local authorities have been expanding beach capacity for tourists in search of sun, sea and sand. At some locations so-called beach nourishment—adding sediment to repair natural erosion—has been carried out. But the technique has also been used to cover natural rocky parts with gravel or even concrete. During winter, the sea carries it away, meaning the costly process has to be repeated every season Dalibor Carevic, from Zagreb University Faculty of Civil Engineering said in places like Primosten, often called 'the town of beaches' on the central coast north of Split, the practice has gone too far. Experts repeatedly warned against the removal of hundreds of metres of rocks along one of its central beaches. The rocks were ground and mixed with quarry stones to make an artificial pebble beach that opened in 2011, with the process repeated every year. In less than a decade the coastline at the Mala Raduca beach has shifted by some 20 metres towards the sea, satellite pictures show. Primosten's veteran mayor Stipe Petrina, though, said beach nourishment was essential for a town dependent entirely on tourism. 'One cannot have a capacity for 15,000 people and beaches for 2,000,' he told AFP comparing it with a ski resort that hosts thousands of skiers but only offers a few hundred metres of slopes. When tourism started to take off in the 1960s, locals ground rocks to make access to the sea easier. 'Once there were vineyards here that could have remained but we would have all emigrated. The question is what is better,' said Petrina. 'In another Primosten bay there are rocks but I cannot see many tourists there,' Petrina said. The town of 2,800 people hosted nearly 90,000 tourists last year, mostly between July and August. In early May, German tourist Karin Hoggermann watched trucks bringing new gravel to prepare the beach for the season. 'For swimming and going in the sea, for kids, it's better that they repair the beach. Tourists would not come if they would not do that,' she said. Conquest of the sea Unlike in Italy, Spain, the Netherlands or France, which also use beach nourishment, few rivers flow into the Adriatic Sea off Croatia, making its ecosystem more vulnerable as it is less accustomed to additional sediment input. Excessive construction even in protected marine areas, concreting, non-compliance with regulations and huge fleets of charter boats also take their toll. The number of car parks, marinas, ports and roads are also growing. One long-term solution is to raise awareness among locals and authorities as well as education, experts said, urging consultation for more sustainable solutions. 'That conquest of the sea is not good and should be discouraged,' said Carevic. — AFP
Asharq Al-Awsat
5 days ago
- Business
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Booming Tourism Takes its Toll on Croatia's Coast
With its rugged coastline, pristine waters and more than a thousand inlets and islands, Croatia has seen a tourist boom in recent years. Last year alone, more than 20 million visited the Balkan nation, much of which stretches along the Adriatic Sea. But the environmental impact of tourism on the nearly 6,000-kilometre (3,720-mile) coastline and marine life is troubling experts -- and prompting calls for action. Sakarun beach on Dugi Otok island is often called "Croatia's Caribbean". Tourist boats drop anchor in the turquoise waters of the bay and head for its white sands. Some visitors complained, however, about unsightly swathes of Posidonia or dark Mediterranean seagrass on the shore, which led to its removal, AFP reported. The heavy machinery involved also removed sediment, resulting in the gradual disappearance of the sandy beach over the last decade. Croatia only has only a small number of sandy and pebble beaches, while the rest are rocky. "We don't have many sandy beaches so it's important that the sand we have is protected," said geologist Kristina Pikelj, from Zagreb University Faculty of Science. In 2021, she launched a project to monitor Sakarun, and to educate locals and tourists about the vital role played by the so-called "lungs of the sea". Posidonia -- a key store of carbon and producer of oxygen -- is critical to slowing the effects of climate change, as well as being vital for marine habitats and providing an erosion buffer for the beaches. For the past three years Posidonia, which was once used as a vineyard fertilizer, has been left on the beach, spread apart in piles. "We understand the tourist aspect, to show them the sand, this bay is beautiful and people really enjoy it," said Pikelj. Marija Meklav, one of three students participating in the fieldwork at Sakarun, added: "We are trying to raise public awareness and achieve something directly through field and laboratory work. "Our generation can achieve something in this regard," the 24-year-old said. With tourist numbers growing, local authorities have been expanding beach capacity for tourists in search of sun, sea and sand. At some locations so-called beach nourishment -- adding sediment to repair natural erosion -- has been carried out. But the technique has also been used to cover natural rocky parts with gravel or even concrete. During winter, the sea carries it away, meaning the costly process has to be repeated every season Dalibor Carevic, from Zagreb University Faculty of Civil Engineering said in places like Primosten, often called "the town of beaches" on the central coast north of Split, the practice has gone too far. Experts repeatedly warned against the removal of hundreds of meters of rocks along one of its central beaches. The rocks were ground and mixed with quarry stones to make an artificial pebble beach that opened in 2011, with the process repeated every year. In less than a decade the coastline at the Mala Raduca beach has shifted by some 20 meters towards the sea, satellite pictures show. Primosten's veteran mayor Stipe Petrina, though, said beach nourishment was essential for a town dependent entirely on tourism. "One cannot have a capacity for 15,000 people and beaches for 2,000," he told AFP comparing it with a ski resort that hosts thousands of skiers but only offers a few hundred meters of slopes. When tourism started to take off in the 1960s, locals ground rocks to make access to the sea easier. "Once there were vineyards here that could have remained but we would have all emigrated. The question is what is better," said Petrina. "In another Primosten bay there are rocks but I cannot see many tourists there," Petrina said. The town of 2,800 people hosted nearly 90,000 tourists last year, mostly between July and August. In early May, German tourist Karin Hoggermann watched trucks bringing new gravel to prepare the beach for the season. "For swimming and going in the sea, for kids, it's better that they repair the beach. Tourists would not come if they would not do that," she said. Unlike in Italy, Spain, the Netherlands or France, which also use beach nourishment, few rivers flow into the Adriatic Sea off Croatia, making its ecosystem more vulnerable as it is less accustomed to additional sediment input. Excessive construction even in protected marine areas, concreting, non-compliance with regulations and huge fleets of charter boats also take their toll. The number of car parks, marinas, ports and roads are also growing. One long-term solution is to raise awareness among locals and authorities as well as education, experts said, urging consultation for more sustainable solutions. "That conquest of the sea is not good and should be discouraged," said Carevic.
Forbes
22-05-2025
- Forbes
Beyond The Beaches: Art And Architecture On Croatia's Dalmatian Coast
View of architectural gem Villa Nai 3.3, on the island of Dugi Otok The sun-dappled shores of Croatia have captured the hearts of millions, and every summer this Balkan state welcomes a tidal wave of visitors from across the globe. The turquoise glitter of the Adriatic Sea is enticing indeed, but the pursuit of beachfront fun doesn't have to compromise on culture. Croatia's popular Dalmatian coast is known to be rich in history, but it's also a site of new artistic initiatives, architectural gems and design innovations that are elevating the offering for art lovers. I single out some of the most eye-catching—and lesser known—places to stay and visit that tick these boxes. In Zadar, the second-largest town on the Dalmatian coast, you're guaranteed to run into the Roman ruins that seem to range across the whole city center. Temple alters, elaborately carved reliefs, and a column with Corinthian script are just some of the leftover relics that testify to an ancient civic and religious life dating back to the 1st century. Wandering around these remnants is an experience, and if you're keen on antiquity there's an Archaeological Museum, but there's another captivating outdoor attraction that is less obvious. Zadar's Sea Organ, the brainchild of local architect Nikola Bašić, is an unmissable curiosity. People on the steps of the Sea Organ in Zadar on the Adriatic coast of Croatia. (Photo by: Loop Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) Conceived as part of the effort to revitalize the war damaged town, the Sea Organ has turned a stretch of Zadar's seafront into a popular public spot. Imbedded into the marble promenade, fluty, haunting sounds—rhythmic and mournfully resonant—are created by the waves and wind as they collide against the jetty. Each visitor hears a tune unique to the motion of the water in that moment. The sleek design includes 35 pipes that are connected through a series of stairs, carrying sound up via openings that look something like stylish, minimalist stone grates. This example of aural architecture is not only a great novelty, but a chance to muse on how art can manifest in our environment. Aerial view of Villa Nai 3.3 Villa Nai 3.3 is another ode to the talent of Nikola Bašić, creator of the Sea Organ. One hears the phrase 'architectural gem' all too often, but Villa Nai 3.3 is a bona fide design marvel. Built out of the rose-tinted limestone that was excavated to accommodate this eight-room masterpiece, it is imbedded into the landscape—and looks like a luxury grotto for nymphs, or the secret lair of a Bond villain, or a secluded hideaway for movie stars having clandestine love affairs. In short, it's evocative, and so ingeniously camouflaged that anyone looking for real privacy will find it here in spades. Situated on Dugi Otok, one of the quietest and least developed islands in Croatia, it's accessible via ferry or catamaran from Zadar (or you can use the helipad). The peacefulness of the spot adds to its great natural beauty, and in many ways, it is proprietor Goran Morović's love letter to the land of his ancestors. For this is a family business, and the hotel stands in the olive groves that passed down through generations for 500 years. Even more spectacular, they have an in-house olive mill, and the resulting olive oil is so delicious that there's an entire trophy room dedicated to awards it has won. The lobby of Villa Nai 3.3 with feature ceiling and Giorgetti furniture But to return to the design: the property's attention to detail is second to none. Each suite is vast, complete with four poster bed, specially imported floor-to-ceiling sliding windows, and private terrace with vistas of the Adriatic. The interiors have been kitted out by storied Italian furniture designer, Giorgetti. Villa Nai 3.3 is a bona fide design marvel The courtyard has a slightly Sicilian accent, with lemon and kumquat trees in terracotta vases, but it's Grotta 11 000, the smaller outside dining space, that plays fully on the ingenuity of the architecture. Enclosed by a rugged rockface, Grotta 11 000 creates the intriguing impression that you're dining in a cave. To complete the mirage, the menu here offers dishes cooked on open flames. There's a pizza oven and a charcoal grill, and guests can gorge on locally caught fish and produce from Villa Nai 3.3's own farm—all under a canopy of stars. Grotta 11 000, the smaller outside dining space where mouth-watering food is cooked on an open flame A view of the house Freud once stayed in, a capella singing by local choirs, and a full throttle history of Split—from Byzantine city to Venetian outpost—is on offer with a guided tour of the Old Town. This may not seem like the most relaxing pastime in the hot summer months, but you'll be pleasantly surprised. The inner sanctum of Diocletian's Palace, what's left of it, includes vaulted ceilings and thick stone walls that keep the space wonderfully shaded and cool. This vast complex includes 13th century Romanesque churches, ancient mausoleums, and imported sphinxes, all of which form a UNESCO heritage site. Statue of the Egiptian Sphinx at the peristyle inside the Diocletian's Palace in Split, Croatia on September 14, 2021. (Photo by Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto via Getty Images) These attractions are hardly news, but getting a guided tour fundamentally changes one's understanding of the history, so that's my insider recommendation. Dinah Roguljić, founder of premium travel company, Lagida, is a thoughtful and astoundingly knowledgeable guide who can tailor a tour to your specific interests. She goes as far as recommending well-priced local eateries and bars known for quality wine; a serious boon in a place like Split that can bump up prices for tourists. She even pilots us to newly opened galleries, picking out spots that are hard to stumble upon as a mere holidaymaker. Hotel Ambasador's cubic facade and pool with a view of historic Split Hotel Ambasador has recently gone through a complete rebuild, though it has stayed true to the original 1937 design by trailblazing Czech-Croatian architect, Josip Kodl. Considered the father of Split's modern style, the current Hotel Ambasador pays tribute to Kodl in this impressive contemporary answer to his cubic avant-garde façade. A mainstay on Split's luxurious harbour, the property boasts impressive views across the city and water. It enjoys all the usual five-star amenities such as spa and gourmet dining (I highly recommend the elevated local flavours at Restaurant Méditerranée), but most interestingly it has recently launched a rotating programme of curated art, titled 'Ambasador Art Gallery'. Using wall space across the bar area and lobby to exhibit contemporary (and often Croatian) artists, you don't have to stay at the hotel to swing by for an afternoon aperitivo with an extra colourful backdrop. Hotel Ambasador's geometric mirrored reception, featuring Feda Klarić's works In other efforts to support homegrown talent, Hotel Ambasador goes as far as recommending nearby galleries and sculpture exhibitions on their socials. Best of all, they honor celebrated Split-born photographer, Feda Klarić, by featuring his enlarged works throughout reception. Captured in black and white, the photojournalist's oeuvre is a window into the changing everyday life in Split throughout the 1970s to 2000s, and strikes an eclectic, enticing note in the mirrored entrance hall.
