CROATIAN tourism and hospitality professionals and entrepreneurs decided to react affirmatively and send a positive message. Here is the statement by the Voice of Entrepreneurs (Cro. Glas Poduzetnika) in full detail.

This year's tourist season is the main subject of headlines, but not for good reasons. Lapses in the organization of the tennis tournament in Zadar and not adhering to the recommended protective measures endangered the tourist season we hoped for after the first news regarding the participants who tested positive came out. Unfortunately, after the news about tennis players who tested positive for coronavirus appeared in world media and caused a very negative reaction to the epidemiological situation in Croatia, there was no timely response from the Ministry of Tourism and the Croatian Tourist Board, or any form of communication with potential guests from abroad and damage control. The Voice of Entrepreneurs Association asks for the Government’s full focus and readiness in managing the crisis. We have repeatedly warned that the elections were called at a completely inappropriate time, and this statement is becoming more accurate every day.

The Voice of Entrepreneurs Association gathers many entrepreneurs from the tourism industry, hospitality industry, and all accompanying fields and activities. We will do everything in our power to save the tourist season and our employees. Some EU states, such as Slovenia and Austria, have already announced the possibility of re-closing borders with Croatia. Many of the reservations that we have been fighting for in recent months were canceled overnight. That has done significant damage to tourism and the economy.

"We are making an extraordinary effort in our hospitality establishments and accommodation units so our guests could enjoy a superior holiday experience in Croatia, our food, culture, and the beauty of nature. We and our employees do our best to offer our guests the highest quality service and safety, respecting all the measures of disinfection, distancing, and using the prescribed protective equipment. Croatia must be open, but it must also be safe, and we see to that every day." said Gordana Fabijanic, owner of the famous tavern "Didova Kuca" on the island of Pag, one of the restaurants recommended by the renowned Gault & Millau guidebook for many years. Gordana is also a member of the UGP's Hospitality and Tourism Committee.

More than 200,000 tourists have had the opportunity to witness the superior professionalism of Croatian tourism and hospitality professionals on Adriatic in the past days. Due to all of that, our members, tourism and hospitality professionals, decided to send a message to local and foreign tourists: "Croatia is safe, we are professionals, and we adhere to all recommendations!"

"We want to send a message to all the media in the world and in Croatia, that Croatian tourism workers and hospitality professionals adhere to the recommendations and regulations pertaining to the prevention of the spread of the coronavirus disease. We invite all tourists to come to Croatia, and EU States not to close borders with Croatia. We are dedicated and professional." stressed Vedran Jakominic, member of the UGP's Hospitality and Tourism Committee.

The Voice of Entrepreneurs Association and its members are still optimistic. We believe that  #CroatiaCan save the season, preserve the health of its citizens and guests, provide everyone with an enjoyable vacation and move forward! Holidays in Croatia are safe because hospitality and tourism professionals are responsible, and we wish for all the world to know that with the slogan #CroatiaIsSafe.

Hardworking entrepreneurs and workers cannot do this alone. The intentions during the organization of the tournament in Zadar were good, and the goal was the promotion of Croatia in a positive light. Still, unfortunately, lapses were made, and the media effect was just the opposite. Blaming the organizers and the Coronavirus Task Force will not help anyone or fix the damage. Mistakes happen, and we learn from them, we must put them behind us and make sure not to make similar mistakes in the future. We have to be open and minimize the risk. We hope that the Government and the Coronavirus Task Force will learn something from this, that they will be more critical of their work and mistakes, and that they will sincerely apologize to the entrepreneurs for the damage they unintentionally caused with this situation. We believe that they will behave more responsibly in the future, be up to the task and help the tourism and the economy.

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The Voice of Entrepreneurs Initiative started as a citizens' self-organized group consisting mostly of small entrepreneurs, following the announcement of the first set of the Government's measures, which the organizers deemed insufficient. The Initiative assembled more than 100,000 entrepreneurs, small business owners, self-employed individuals, and employees in the private sector in less than 15 days, drawing the media spotlight with its uncompromising requests and appearances. Considering this, the Voice of Entrepreneurs positioned itself as a relevant factor in public discussions aimed to determine Croatia's new economic direction. Its position was also accepted by the Government of the Republic of Croatia, which included some of the Initiative's suggestions in the second set of economic measures, thus confirming the Initiative's undeniable influence. At the request of the Initiative's members, the Voice of Entrepreneurs Association was formally set up, gathering more than 12,000 members. More than 200,000 Croatian citizens support the Association.