Hotel Pinija in Petrčani hosted the first guests from the cruise ship

Recovery of the cruise industry. According to data from the State Statistical Office of the Republic of Croatia, in the period from January to May 2022, 48 foreign cruise ships entered Croatian seaports out of 135 cruises. There were 97 thousand passengers on those ships, who stayed in Croatia for 278 days.

But more important than the recovery itself, is a new approach to guests and cruise companies. Namely, last week guests from the TUI cruise ship from the port of Gaženica in Zadar visited the hotel Piniju in Petrčani. One of the first hotels that hosted guests from cruise ships. 

As he emphasizes Dragan Simac, director Hotel Pinija in Petrčani, who has spent 22 years in the cruise industry, we have what the cruiser does not have - and that is the smell of pine trees and the sound of crickets. And yes, when you look at it from another angle, and as I mentioned, Šimac has many years of experience working on cruise ships, the smell of pine trees and the sound of crickets is exactly what the guests need. Of course, with the possibility of swimming in the sea and a quality offer. 

Hotel Pinija organized for guests from the cruise ship snack, champagne, deckchairs and a program, so guests could enjoy the shade of pine trees and the sound of crickets for a couple of hours, and the reactions were more than excellent. So good that it is positive the same day feedback came to the cruise company, and the arrival of new guests is also planned. 

With the arrival of guests from the cruise ship from the port of Gaženica in Zadar, to the Pinija hotel, my dream and great desire to merge the cruising industry and the Zadar hotel industry came true., points out Šimac and adds: 

"The exceptional importance of this event can be seen in several components. From many years of experience working in the cruise industry, I know that when cruise ship guests like the offer, then great potential can be created for Zadar and the region. Once guests feel the Croatian welcome, the hospitality of wonderful people , when they see our beaches, the sea, nature, taste the gastronomy and experience the offer of a hotel, such as the Pinija hotel, then they are guaranteed to want to come back and spend time with us. development towards guests, including the cruise industry. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the Hotel Pinija team for their openness to new challenges, readiness for an open and honest approach to guests - without you it would be impossible to complete this project." stated Šimac and added that they cooperate with the Intercruises agency in relation to bringing guests from cruise ships. 

Guests from the cruise ship have more options to use their day in Zadar. Some decide to visit wineries, some to visit National and Natural Parks... it's all a matter of personal choice and guest preferences, but the most important thing is to offer quality and diverse offers to guests in destinations.  

Offers that cruise companies, as well as the guests themselves, crave. Win win for everyone. From the cruise company, because if the guests are satisfied they will return or give a good recommendation for the entire trip, to the destination if it meets the expectations of the guests, spending will increase and they will get a better tourist experience. The positive story turns and only develops from year to year. From the Pinije Hotel, they already received inquiries about future guest accommodation during the first organized tour of guests from the cruise ship.

Pandora's box is open, and everything starts with the first step. This is how this historic moment for Hotel Pinija in cooperation with the cruise company bore fruit.

Zadar Cruise Port - Gaženica Passenger Terminal points out that 147 cruise ships are expected to arrive this year. In the first six months, they had 56 departures and 41.500 passengers, and by the end of the year they expect over 100.000 passengers. 

If we are developing cruise tourism, then we should definitely develop a story so that guests from the cruise ship can experience the destination as well as possible. Not only through a walk through the city, but also with an additional offer. This is how we increase tourist consumption and have a well-rounded tourist product and, most importantly, a much better guest experience.

Let us remind you that the Port of Zadar for cruise ships was declared Port of the Year at the Seatrade Cruise Awards 2019, published on the occasion of Seatrade Europe 2019. Now Zadar Cruise Port - Passenger Terminal Gaženica is competing in the shortlist for the award The best European cruise terminal.

The World Cruise Awards recognises, rewards and celebrates excellence in the global cruise sector through an annual awards programme. They are assigned to 26 categories that include passenger ports and terminals, destinations and ships.

This year, only 12 ports were nominated for the Best European Passenger Port award, of which only one is from Croatia. The award is given for excellence, that is, for world-class quality and service and a comprehensive level of user experience.

On the occasion of this nomination, Rebeka V. Pevec, The General Director of ZIPO/ Zadar Cruise Port stated that this direct nomination of the World Cruise Awards is an exceptional honor and that they are proud that such a prestigious organization recognized their continuous work and efforts to establish Zadar as a relevant passenger port in the cruise industry. 

"Three years ago, when I assumed this position, my great desire and one of my goals was for the port and the passenger terminal to be recognized for service, professionalism and safety. This nomination confirmed and means exactly that, that we have reached the world level for all three mentioned factors. Now we have solid foundations for further development and slow recovery after two very difficult pandemic years in cruise tourism." stated Rebeka V. Pevec.

You can vote for Zadar Cruise Port on the website https://worldcruiseawards.com/award/europe-best-cruise-terminal/2022 and thus help bring this prestigious award for the Best European Cruise Terminal to our Zadar.

In addition to Zadar, four more ports from the portfolio of Global Ports Holding were nominated, namely Lisbon, Barcelona, ​​Malaga and Valletta. This shortlist also includes Civitavecchia, Monaco, Amsterdam, Oslo, Limassol, Kiel and Rostock.

Photo: Zadar Cruise Port