Demand for more environmentally-friendly and nature-immersive ‘educational’ travel experiences has led to a rise in demand from families to explore Croatia by boat, reports Sail Dalmatia, Croatia’s leading luxury Yacht Charter Company. Travel PR agency Pilot PR meets Dora Vulic to find out more.
“I call it the ‘Greta Thunberg effect’”, says Dora Vulic, Founder of Sail Dalmatia. “We are seeing more demand from intergenerational families. The adults want their children to get in touch with nature and have the more adventurous and technology-free childhood they enjoyed. However increasingly, the sustainability drive is coming more from the children. They follow Greta, and greater awareness of the environment is such a staple of their school lives… in many ways, the children are much wiser to it all than the parents!“
On a sustainability drive of its own, Sail Dalmatia is spearheading a #plasticfree campaign to reduce the use of plastic bottles on all boats. Sail Dalmatia has also launched a Seabin Project in the Adriatic, installing the first bin in Marina Boatic, Trogir, on the 1st February 2020.
“Of course, both individually and nationally, we have to do so much more, but in 2019, the Island of Zlarin became the first plastic free island in Croatia, and at Sail Dalmatia, we are planning to install many more seabins.” says Dora Vulic.
Sail Dalmatia is also seeing more demand from gourmet travellers - 60+, travelling as couples and in groups, seeking authentic, local food and wine experiences. Croatia now has five Michelin star restaurants (the newest addition is Pelegrini in Sibenik) to lure even more gourmet travellers and this increased demand for authentic and sustainable travel has been a boon to Croatia’s smaller ship-builders in particular, resulting in new yacht design and launches.
New Product Highlights and Initiatives for 2020 include:
Sail Dalmatia is offering guests 6-cabin Catamarans for the first time (previously all models, regardless of their size, comprised only four cabins). Catamarans are especially popular with families and the 6-cabin Lagoon (pictured below) and Saba catamarans both enable a large family, or two families, to split the cost. Prices start from €6,500 per week, or approximately €550 per person per week.
At the very luxury end of the market, a small shipyard of 50 employees near Split has just built Croatia's first 49m luxury sailing yacht. Lady Gita (pictured below) is available to Sail Dalmatia guests from €75,000 per week during the high season.
Gulet Kavira II – new luxury sailing yacht available exclusively to Sail Dalmatia guests - The 3-cabin Kavira II is an exceptionally elegant 1930s-era two-masted sailing yacht with majestic 140m2 rigging.Crafted from the finest teak with hand crafted artisanal furnishings, Kavira II’s recent makeover seamlessly blends sophistication with modern convenience. There are spacious and broad sun deck areas, a beautiful al fresco dining area and a projector at the rear deck with a choice of movies on board. Unusually she boasts an exceptional fly bridge atop the main structure affording exceptional 360 views and privacy. Price starts from €9,800 per week.
Sail Dalmatia has developed a ‘Best Diving Sites’ Route in support of Croatia’s underwater cultural heritage guide launched this month- The guide to the underwater heritage of Split-Dalmatia County presents 28 underwater sites and three museum collections with underwater archeological finds covering the period from prehistory to the Second World War.
The goal of developing a cultural and tourist guide for the underwater heritage of Split Dalmatia County is to get a complete picture of the richness, diversity and importance of the underwater world in the area, and further develop archeological and diving tourism in the Split-Dalmatia County. Sail Dalmatia offers a 3 hour dive which can be added on to any of the charter itineraries for €100 per person.
Bookings: +44 (0) 203 713 9331; www.saildalmatia.com
About Sail Dalmatia
Established in 2008 and headquartered in London, Sail Dalmatia is a leading Bespoke Charter Company specializing in Croatia. Sail Dalmatia offers unrivalled expertise in the provision of luxury sailing yachts, catamarans, fully crewed gulets and motor yachts off the stunning Dalmatian coast.
Sail Dalmatia offers the finest portfolio of vessels (many exclusive to their guests) and prides itself on delivering its clients the highest levels of personal service. Their expertise is sought by everyone from first-time visitors to Croatia, families, corporate groups, to the most demanding and seasoned sailors relishing a challenge.
Sail Dalmatia was founded by Croatian-national, Dora Vulic, who has over 25 years of experience working in the luxury yacht charter industry. A resident of London for the past 18 years, Dora grew up in and around the sailing community in Split; it was here she first nurtured her impeccable contacts and her local fleet and route knowledge.
Dora Vulic is a qualified yacht broker and skipper, and the only Croatian female to have completed the arduous Round the World Clipper Yacht Race.