City of Dubrovnik joins forces with CLIA to drive sustainable tourism

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and the City of Dubrovnik have partnered to introduce sustainable tourism management practices that will preserve the Croatian city’s cultural heritage.

CLIA president and CEO Kelly Craighead and Dubrovnik’s Mayor Mato Franković signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU), which outlines plans to make Dubrovnik a model of sustainable tourism for the Adriatic region. All plans focus on investment, collaboration and best practices that will benefit both Dubrovnik’s residents and visitors.

“Today’s agreement validates the work we have already done with Mayor Franković and formalises the cruise industry’s continued commitment to the City of Dubrovnik and its people,” said Craighead. “Signing the MOU today is an important step in developing innovative practices in sustainable tourism management with Mayor Franković and the city of Dubrovnik. We look forward to sharing specific action plans and our progress as we work together with the city and other tourism partners to support responsible tourism in this great city.”

Immediate will include forming a dedicated working group that includes member of the local community and international organisations; creating a joint destination stewardship roadmap for the city based on United Nations sustainable tourism criteria; and communicating and implementing the previously developed 2020 cruise ship berthing policy. In addition, they will develop Dubrovnik's 'Respect the City' visitor education campaign and explore the possibility of a Dubrovnik World Heritage Visitor Center and Intermodal Transportation Center in Gruž Port.

“We have developed an open and trustworthy relationship with CLIA and its members over the last two years,” said Franković. “This commitment is just a beginning of a joint systematic, integrated and participative approach that will target some of the most important tourism issues locally and globally.

“Dubrovnik is first and foremost our home. We want to welcome guests and share our amazing home in a way that protects and preserves it. We hope this pioneering cooperation agreement will show the way to all relevant stakeholders including other destinations to work together to make our tourism and communities more sustainable, and our local people and our guests more satisfied.”