Veterans with their authentic experience can contribute to the development of war tourism in Croatia "War tourism in Croatia - the potential for improving the supply and employment of veterans" is the name of a structured dialogue within the project "Analysis of social factors affecting the quality of life of veterans – guidelines for the future ” 18. May 2022. held at the University of Zadar. Welcoming the participants, the rector of the University of Zadar, prof. dr. sc. Dijana Vican said that the defenders stood out in the Homeland War, and now is a new time in which their integrity is preserved by employment, entrepreneurship and creative contribution.
– The veteran population is burdened with numerous problems, primarily ideological prejudices about seemingly undeserved privileges. This project should lead to the defenders being an unquestionable part of Croatian society, pointed out the representative of the University of Zadar in the project Assoc. prof. dr . sc. Zlatko Begonja.
The president of the Association of Croatian Tourist Guides, Kristina Nuić Prka, pointed out that 100% asks foreign guests what happened in the Homeland War and presented the successful tourist offer of military tourism in the world as a confirmed potential for the development of this form of selective tourism. The owner of the travel agency "I Travel" and tourist guide Ivica Škriljevečki presented the "Zadar War Tour". The beginning of the route is in the city, in which the damage from the Homeland War is visible, but in some locations together the Roman and Venetian ramparts, and the late antique and medieval wall, which suggests that Zadar has always had to defend itself throughout its history. Continue towards the bunker on Vidikovac, from where there is a view of the whole city, and then towards Zemunik, the hill Križ from which Zadar was shelled, Dračevac with a tank stopped at that place… Depending on interest, the trip can be extended to Škabrnja, Maslenica bridge, Zrmanju, former base in Šepurine, which is a great untapped potential. Honorary President of the Association of Special Police from the Homeland War of the Republic of Croatia Zoran Maras analyzed war tourism in the Republic of Croatia with special reference to Velebit, and put forward the idea of lodgings on the front line of the former battlefield, which could simultaneously be points for HGSS teams in rescue operations. By developing war tourism, pointed out the coordinator of the development of guidelines, Ivana Maslov, the tourist offer is growing, has a positive impact on the economy, the psychosocial well-being of veterans and members of their families by involving them in the planning and implementation of war tourism activities. Also, the positive image of the Homeland War is preserved, educates the public about important historical events, their causes and consequences.
– The content should be attractive to tourists, with attractive and interactive content, authentic experiences of the participants, storytellingom, using technological aids. Veterans need to be involved in planning and creating the offer of war tourism in order to bring authentic experience and knowledge about the Homeland War to the whole story., military operations and key war events. War stories and testimonies of veterans bring an educational and emotional component to the contents of war tourism, and this is exactly what today's tourist consumer is looking for, Maslov pointed out.
At the end of the presentation, present, among whom were representatives of the Ministry of Croatian Veterans, City of Zadar, Zadar County, Regional Office of the Croatian Employment Service Zadar and the Zadar Tourist Board, through discussion gave constructive suggestions for project development.
– I am convinced that the strategic documents that will emerge from this project, and then, I belive, be adopted by decision makers and implemented into existing legislation and strategic objectives , greatly contribute to improving the quality of life of the veteran population in Croatian society - which is the strategic goal of this project , said project manager Ida Maček.
Project UP.04.2.1.06.0004 "Analysis of social factors affecting the quality of life of the veteran population - guidelines for the future" co-financed by the European Union from the European Social Fund. The implementation period is 28. 10. 2020. – 28. 10. 2023., and the total value of the project and the amount of EU co-financing 3.590.775,69 kn. The holder of the project is the Association of Veterans of the Croatian Guards, which together with The name of your association and partners from civil society and the scientific community is implementing a project aimed at contributing to the quality of life of Croatian veterans and victims of the Homeland War.
