Photo: PixabayZizoo, the global leader in vacation boat rental, has published key market data showing that Croatia accounted for almost 30% of all Zizoo bookings in 2022, followed by Greece and Spain. Marinas Kaštela and D-Marin Dalmacija had the largest influx of boaters, among more than 60 of them in Croatia, followed by marinas Zadar, Dubrovnik, Split, Trogir and Mandalina.
Croatia, which is often referred to as the land of a thousand islands, is a combination of centuries-old historical and cultural heritage, superb gastronomy and unreal natural beauty. The untouched nature of Croatia cannot leave a person indifferent. The diversity of flora and fauna as well as natural beauty have created 20 national parks and nature parks that are spread throughout Croatia. Five of them are located by the sea and are best explored by boat.
The attraction of historical and cultural heritage, top gastronomy and natural coastal landscapes combined with an active nautical industry attracts both experienced sailors and beginners alike. No two days are the same when you explore the Croatian coast by boat, as sailors explore hidden gems, far from the crowds. With around 2,500 hours of sunshine per year, Croatia is one of the sunniest and warmest Mediterranean countries - winters are mild, summers are long, and the sailing season extends from May to October, which is ideal for all boating enthusiasts.
"Croatia has been a favorite destination for sailors for as long as I can remember," said Sinan Mašović, chief financial officer and co-founder of the Zizoo platform. "It can boast of one of the most advanced maritime infrastructures in the whole world and is considered the most advanced market for nautical tourism, exceeding hotel stays by 20%, which is an increase of 87% compared to 2021. In addition, we develop technologies that go beyond the classic booking platform to connect customers, charters, marinas and service providers and ensure a superior customer experience. Today we are only at 1%, so we are just getting started."
Zizoo cooperates with more than 5,000 charter companies, of which as many as 2,000 have joined the platform in the last two years, and offers ships in more than 30 countries and 500 destinations, and Croatia is at the top of that list.
This year, reservations in Croatia accounted for 28% of the total number of reservations, followed by Greece (20%), Spain (17%) and Italy (14%). A year earlier, Spain was in second place and Greece in third place. There is also a growing interest in the Caribbean, which has perfect weather all year round and is ideal for a winter vacation. In Europe, the nautical season can be enjoyed almost all year round on the Spanish Canary Islands. Boaters from Germany, Austria, Italy and Great Britain will most likely sail in Croatia. Also, there is a sudden increase in visitors from the USA choosing Croatia, which is partly due to the general post-pandemic increase in demand for boat vacations, writes seebiz.eu.
"We expect more and more reservations in the coming years," said Mašović. "Croatia will continue to be a favorite destination for sailors - this is due to the digitization of the nautical industry in combination with the extraordinary sailing conditions offered in the country".
The range of sailing opportunities in Croatia is unrivaled due to a modern fleet and experienced local crews for those looking for a relaxing, luxury crewed holiday or a new adventure for experienced sailors. According to the latest data from the Zizoo platform, the price of renting a boat for one person for a week is under 600 euros, and the average time spent on the boat is five days.
Source: seebiz.eu
