The role of small family hotels in strengthening tourism in the Republic of Croatia

Turizam je glavna djelatnost u Hrvatskoj. Velika većina stanovništva je zaposlena u sektoru turizma, direktno ili indirektno. Turizam je također jedan od najvećih generatora prihoda i kao mnoge druge zemlje u svijetu, i Hrvatska se odlučila da turizam bude pokretač gospodarstva države. Hrvatska je imala dobre predispozicije u prošlosti za početak bavljenja turizmom kada se pretežno u Hrvatsku dolazilo u zimskim mjesecima. I danas su prirodne ljepote, nacionalni parkovi i parkovi prirode, čisto Jadransko more, ugodna klima, povijesna baština, tradicija i gastronomska ponuda pokretači turizma u Hrvatskoj. U vrijeme brzih i velikih promjena u društvu bavljenje turizmom je postalo još dinamičnije nego što je bilo prije. Razvoj novih trendova i ubrzanog načina života dovodi do inovacija u hotelijerstvu. Mali obiteljski hoteli su način kako udovoljiti potrebama i željama današnjih turista. Segmentacija tržišta i promicanje selektivnih oblika turizma bitan su faktor pri oblikovanju ponude svake destinacije, ali i svakog pojedinog smještajnog objekta. Mali obiteljski hoteli lakše i brže odgovaraju na nove izazove upravo zbog njihove veličine. Mali obiteljski hoteli su hoteli koji su osnovani i vođeni od strane jedne obitelji. Takve obitelji su uglavnom vrlo motivirane, inovativne, fleksibilne i kreativne. Međutim, jedan od glavnih nedostataka takvog načina poslovanje je manjak znanja, stručnosti i kompetencija za obavljanje određenih poslova u hotelijerstvu. Mali obiteljski hoteli imaju veliku ulogu u promicanju i jačanju turizma Republike Hrvatske. Obzirom da pojedinačno nemaju sredstava kako bi se promovirali i konkurirali na svjetskom tržištu, mali obiteljski hoteli su uglavnom udruženi u udruge. Najznačajnija takva udruga u Hrvatskoj je Nacionalna udruga obiteljskih i malih hotela koja je osnovana u svrhu promocije i olakšanja poslovanja obiteljskih i malih hotela.Tourism is the main activity in Croatia. The vast majority of the population is employed in the tourism sector, directly or indirectly.Tourism is also one of the largest generators of income, and like many other countries in the world, Croatia has decided that tourism should be the driver of the country's economy. Croatia had a good predisposition in the past to start tourism when people came to Croatia mostly during the winter. Even today, natural beauties, national parks and nature parks, clean Adriatic Sea, pleasant climate, historical heritage, tradition and gastronomic offer are the drivers of tourism in Croatia. At a time of rapid and great changes in society, tourism has become even more dynamic than it was before. The development of new trends and an accelerated way of life leads to innovations in the hotel industry. Small family hotels are a way to meet the needs and desires of today's tourists. Market segmentation and the promotion of selective forms of tourism are an important factor in shaping the offer of each destination, but also of each individual accommodation facility. Small family hotels respond easier and faster to new challenges precisely because of their size. Small family hotels are hotels that are established and run by one family. Such families are generally very motivated, innovative, flexible and creative. However, one of the main disadvantages of this way of doing business is the lack of knowledge, expertise and competencies to perform certain jobs in the hotel industry. Small family hotels have a great role in promoting and strengthening the tourism of the Republic of Croatia. Individually they do not have the resources to promote and compete in the worldwide market, that’s why small family hotels are mostly grouped into associations. The most important association in Croatia is the National Association of Family and Small Hotels, which is established for the purpose of promoting and facilitating the operation of family and small hotels