Possibilities for Development of Elite Tourism in the Republic of Croatia

Elitni turizam jedan je od niza specifičnih oblika turizma, a karakterizira ga luksuz i doživljaj, neobičnost i egzotičnost u ponudi koju elitni turisti ponajviše traže. Elitni turizam rezerviran je ponajviše za elitu, pošto je biti elitni turist stvar prestiža, društvenog statusa i glamura. Elitni turisti pristaju na visoke cijene sa saznanjem da se na taj način sami izdvajaju iz mase. Kvaliteta samih usluga u elitnom turizmu mora biti vrhunska jer na taj način elitni turizam nastaje, razvija se, a na posljetku i opstaje. Elitni putnici danas su vrlo jasni u svojim preferencijama. Više ih ne privlače razmetljive usluge, krenuli su prema mirnijem, podcijenjenom luksuzu i planiraju svoja putovanja s naglaskom na autentičnost i iskustveno putovanje. Kulinarsko iskustvo visoko je na njihovoj listi tema od posebnog interesa, zajedno s umjetnošću i kulturom, odmaralištima, spektakularnim krajolicima i rezervatima prirode. Odredišta koja aktivno brinu o okolišu i zaštiti ugroženih životinjskih vrsta uvelike privlače pozornost ovoj skupini turista. Ovim završnim radom autorica želi prikazati trenutno stanje elitnog turizma u Republici Hrvatskoj te ima li Republika Hrvatska uopće potencijala i mogućnosti za daljnji razvoj elitnog turizma. Predmet rada je istraživanje pojedinih visoko kategoriziranih destinacija koje Republika Hrvatska nudi, a mogu se promatrati sa luksuznog stajališta. Luksuz možemo promatrati kroz visoko kvalitetnu i iznadprosječnu uslugu, uređenje objekata, autentičnost te prateći sadržaj izvan objekata.Elite tourism is one of many different types of tourism, and is characterised by luxury, adventure, and unusual and exotic eperiences, all of which are the things elite tourists seek after the most. Elite tourism is reserved mostly for the elite, since being an elite tourist is a matter of prestige, social status and glamour. Elite tourists agree to high prices knowing that it is precisely what distinguishes them from the masses. The quality of service in elite tourism has to be of an incredibly high standard, since this is the way by which elite tourism arises, develops and subsits in the long term. Elite travellers today are very clear about their preferences. They are no longer attracted to lavish services, but have started to move toward a more serene, undervalued type of luxury, and they are planning their travels with authenticity and fullness of experience in mind. Culinary experience is placed high on their list of special interests, together with art & culture, resorts, spectacular sceneries and nature reserves. Destinations with an active care for the envirnonment and preservation of endangered species are greatly piqueing the interest of this group of tourists. With this final thesis, the author wants to present the state of elite tourism in The Republic of Croatia and discuss whether Croatia even has the potential and ability for its further development. The subject of this work is research into certain highly categorized destinations that Croatia has to offer, which can be talked about in the context of luxury. Luxury itself can be viewed through the lens of high quality and above average standard of service, accommodation layout, authenticity and external accompanying activities