#6- Zlarin (Croatia) : How to find the right balance between attracting visitors within preserving the island’s soul?

Once upon an island - Green tourism

In this episode, we are taking you to a confidential Croatian island. Many people have not even heard about this beautiful place, the treasure of the Sibenik archipelago and a pearl of the Adriatic sea…

Known as the "green island" for its unspoiled beauty, this is an island of pines, nice pocket beaches, idyllic coves and one traditional village and no cars are permitted. Welcome to Zlarin: the confidential Island !

For centuries, red coral trade had made the reputation and wealth of the island, turning the island into a commercial hub of the Mediteranean. Nowadays this golden age has gently faded away and the main economic resource of the island lies into tourism which is however rather surprisingly limited - except for a few weeks in summer.

Developing tourism has become a major stake for the economic vitality of the island. Zlarin islanders are aware of this necessity and opportunity but in the same time, they don’t wish to sell their island’s soul to the siren call of mass tourism.

What is therefore the right balance between attracting visitors within preserving the island? How to find the right tourism management policy and dynamics, what are Zlarin assets and choices?

To understand these issues and their stakes as well as exploring solutions to the equation, I shall host in this episode 3 emblematic guests:

1. Katarina Gregov, Director of Zlarin Tourist Board

2. Antoni Biberica, Restaurant owner,volunteer firefighter and zlarinian

3. Mladen Hanzir, Director of Peak and Paddle Croatia (outdoor tourism company)

A podcast presented by Ingrid Blanchard and Isabelle Han produced by SMILO and FRAGÎLE PORQUEROLLES funded by the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union.

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