It is six years since I discovered one of the biggest untapped gems in Croatian tourism, whose potential was jaw-dropping at the time. And after touring 3 medical tourism clinics in Zagreb back in 2017, I explained why I thought the Croatian medical tourism opportunity in Zagreb was so immense. Read more about that original discovery in Health Tourism is Coming Home: Why Zagreb is the Next Big Medical Tourism Destination.

A lot has happened in between. A pandemic and an earthquake in Zagreb brought the city and its medical tourism story to a crashing halt. But with Zagreb recovering from those, as well as developing into a popular remote work hub, also now serviced by 40 additional routes from Ryanair, the city’s medical tourism story is once more gathering pace.

There is another addition to the original story I discovered back in 2017 – cohesion. Back then, I came across a number of excellent clinics, but they were mostly working on their own. This has now changed, thanks to local entrepreneur Ivan Rendulic, who has managed to form the umbrella organisation, ZagrebMed, which is supported by public and private entities, providing one vital focal point for Zagreb Medical Tourism. I caught up with Ivan over lunch in Zagreb recently to learn more.

1. In terms of tourism, Zagreb is best known for Advent in Zagreb, and it may come as a surprise that it also has a phenomenal medical tourism potential and offer. Can you give us a short overview?

Yes, Zagreb is an award-winning tourism destination with its all-year-round tourism events such as the Advent for which Zagreb was voted best in Europe 3 years in a row. Then we have the Festival of Lights, Cest is d’Best and many other cultural, sports and gastronomical events. All of which justify the “Award for Excellence – the promising new destination” which was awarded to Zagreb back in 2011.

Zagreb’s medical tourism potential was often mentioned as a strategic direction, and it is for a reason, as Zagreb has a long tradition in medical education with the Medical School in Zagreb being more than 100 years old. Croatia’s doctors are highly recognized throughout the EU and the USA, due to their world-class qualifications and Croatia’s emphasis on quality medical education and research. Organized care for patients dates to the 19th century when the first nursing school was established in Zagreb. Medical clinics and facilities in Croatia have the highest EU standards and qualifications, we already have proven success stories with individual clinics winning international awards for excellence in medicine.

2. What would you say are the competitive advantages of Zagreb’s medical tourism offer, and who are your key target groups?

Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, offers several competitive advantages in the field of medical tourism. Here are some key points:

1. Quality healthcare facilities: Zagreb boasts modern and well-equipped medical facilities, including hospitals and clinics, that meet international standards. The city is known for its highly skilled medical professionals and advanced medical technology.
2. Competitive prices: Medical procedures and treatments in Zagreb are often more affordable compared to many Western European countries and the United States. Patients can save a significant amount of money while receiving high-quality healthcare.
3. Accessibility and convenience: Zagreb has excellent transportation links, including an international airport, making it easily accessible for medical tourists. The city also offers a wide range of accommodation options, from luxury hotels to budget-friendly alternatives, ensuring convenience and comfort for patients and their companions.
4. Multilingual staff: Many healthcare providers in Zagreb have multilingual staff who can communicate effectively with international patients, eliminating language barriers and providing a comfortable experience.
5. Comprehensive medical services: Zagreb offers a wide range of medical specialties, including cosmetic and plastic surgery, dental treatments, fertility treatments, orthopedics, and rehabilitation. The city’s medical tourism services cover various medical needs, making it an attractive destination for diverse patient groups.

As for target groups, Zagreb’s medical tourism primarily caters to the following:

1. European patients seeking affordable healthcare: Many Europeans choose Zagreb for medical treatments due to its proximity and cost-effective healthcare options.
2. Patients from neighboring countries: Zagreb serves as a medical hub for patients from nearby countries, such as Slovenia, Hungary, Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as other EU countries and the UK, all who prefer accessible and high-quality healthcare.
3. Cosmetic surgery and dental tourists: Zagreb attracts individuals seeking cosmetic procedures or dental treatments at competitive prices without compromising on quality.
4. Fertility treatment seekers: Zagreb offers advanced fertility clinics and reproductive services, attracting patients from around the world who are looking for specialized treatments in a supportive environment.
5. Wellness and rehabilitation tourists: Zagreb’s medical facilities also cater to individuals seeking wellness programs, physical therapy, and rehabilitation services in a tranquil environment.

These target groups benefit from Zagreb’s competitive advantages and the city’s commitment to providing excellent tailor-made medical services for all patients.

3. While Croatia’s medical tourism industry is hailed internationally as being high quality, it has often struggled to present a united and cohesive message and offer. Your new ZagrebMed initiative is bringing clinics together under one umbrella. Tell us why you started ZagrebMed and what are you hoping to achieve. 

When asked to give a brief description of medical tourism in Croatia, I would always say: “Great individual clinics with outstanding results and services, each being unique in its field, but not able to penetrate the international market because each of them is working individually, we lack a joint effort”. When you look at destinations which are leaders in medical tourism globally, e.g. Turkey, Malaysia or Spain, you will see that they took a different approach. Instead of focusing on individual clinics, they created clusters dedicated to promoting the country’s medical tourism capabilities. That is the secret ingredient that was missing in Zagreb – branding. And that is how ZagrebMed started – a project supported by the Zagreb Tourist Board, it unifies the offer of key clinics, polyclinics and special hospitals operating in the Zagreb area through an interactive digital platform that enables patients from the region and the world to use medical services in a simple and modern way. ZagrebMed is primarily a long-term project to create a new brand of health tourism in Zagreb and to further position the city of Zagreb as a center of medical excellence in the region. By joint branding the leading medical institutions, we aim to create a new health tourism brand that will promote Zagreb and Croatia as a receptive destination for health tourism.

4. How does it work for the client who is perhaps interested in getting treatment in Zagreb?

ZagrebMed platform enables simple and safe booking of health services in renowned private institutions in Zagreb through an automated digital process. Medical travel is often a stressful process for patients from abroad, and to simplify this process, through ZagrebMed, patients select the desired health service in just a few clicks, as well as all additional services such as the organization of travel, accommodation, and transfers.

Using ZagrebMed is as simple as 1-2-3:

1. Visit the website (www.zagrebmed.com) and create your free account.
2. Explore the extensive list of medical services and providers.
3. Book an appointment instantly and enjoy tailor-made care.

Our role is to create 100% personalized offers for patients without any additional costs.

Currently, 10 medical partners are included in the platform, and by the end of the year we plan to have 30 of them. It is important to note that the number of institutions per individual medical branch is limited. In this way, we enable the patient to receive several offers when sending an inquiry and choose the institution that suits them best. Over 200 individual medical services are already available through ZagrebMed, and in addition to Croatian, the service is also available in English, German and Italian.

ZagrebMed is completely free to use, there is no additional cost for booking medical services through the platform. And to support the process we have a patient coordinator at the disposal to assist the users.

More importantly, European residents can now avoid the long waiting lists and get medical care in Zagreb in the best private clinic without any waiting time.

The EU Cross Border Healthcare Directive allows European patients to travel abroad for planned medical treatment in other EU countries.

Once the medical treatment is undertaken, the patient can apply for a refund of costs from their healthcare insurance provider, either the national healthcare insurance company or a private one.

5. You also have partnerships with the likes of Croatia Airlines – tell us more. 

Cooperation with the Zagreb Tourist Board, which was the first to provide support to the ZagrebMed project, was a necessary first step in the realization of this strategically important project. Croatia Airlines is the exclusive contracted airline partner of the ZagrebMed project, and the tourist agency Obzor Holidays is the exclusive travel partner of the project. Through cooperation with Croatia Airlines and Obzor, we offer complete packages that include the medical service, airfare from cities where Croatia Airlines has direct flights, airport transfer and accommodation in leading Zagreb hotels, all at lower prices than standard ones. In this way, we provide complete hospitality for patients traveling outside of Zagreb.

6. How do you see the opportunities for medical tourism developing in Zagreb, and how much of an opportunity is the remote work revolution?

I honestly believe that medical tourism will be one of the main industries in terms of yearly growth within the next years in Zagreb and it will position itself as a strategic direction on the country level. Being in the EU and Schengen, with its medical tradition and patient-centric approach, Croatia has much to offer for everyone seeking excellent medical and health services.

The remote work revolution, accelerated by advancements in technology and the COVID-19 pandemic and the fact that Zagreb is among the 5 most desirable cities in the world for Digital Nomads, creates new opportunities for Zagreb’s medical tourism development. Here’s how it can impact the sector:

1. Extended stays: Remote workers have the flexibility to work from anywhere, allowing them to consider longer stays in destinations like Zagreb while combining work and medical treatments. This can boost the demand for medical tourism services.
2. Increased affordability: Remote work eliminates the need for traditional office spaces, reducing overhead costs for both individuals and companies. This can potentially make medical tourism more affordable and accessible to individuals who can work remotely while seeking medical treatments abroad.
3. Digital health solutions: Remote work relies heavily on digital technologies, and remote workers are used to utilizing various services through digital solutions. ZagrebMed can leverage these advancements to provide remote medical services to international patients, improving the overall patient experience.
4. Lifestyle and wellness: Remote workers often prioritize a work-life balance and place a greater emphasis on wellness. Zagreb can position itself as a destination that offers a combination of medical treatments, wellness programs, and a high quality of life, attracting remote workers who seek a healthy and productive lifestyle.

Regardless if it’s a body check-up, and MRI, an esthetic treatment or a simple dental implant, ZagrebMed has it covered.

7. Effective development should be through a strong public-private partnership. What concrete steps would you like to see from the authorities to improve Croatia’s medical tourism offer.

ZagrebMed’s mission is health equality, which means that all patients have equal access to health care, regardless of circumstances, postal code, or knowledge of the health system. We believe that the healthcare system should be easily accessible. It should be direct, and most of all, it should be personalized. As mentioned earlier, for us the cooperation with Zagreb Tourist Board was a necessary first step. To give medical tourism in Croatia the necessary push we need all the institutions in Croatia to join the efforts in achieving the common goals.

You can learn more about medical tourism in Zagreb and the services on offer on the official ZagrebMed website.

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As Poslovni Dnevnik writes, the Croatian brand Wise Grus is consumed as part of all sorts of celebrations, important anniversaries are celebrated with it, and both kisses and tears are shed with it. Those flavours stay in the memory for a long time, according to brandy and rakija lovers.

While lovers of a drop or two of strong alcohol say that, confirmation of it certainly comes in the form of the same being said by the jury of the world’s most prestigious competition for spirits, the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, which recently awarded double gold and silver to the Croatian brand Wise Grus’ Lozovaca Barique and the much loved Sljivovica. This competition is otherwise considered the most important in the spirits category, it has been being held for 23 years now, and the evaluation criteria are extremely stringent and high.

All of the above would not be unusual if it were not for the fact that this small Daruvar distillery’s products won two gold medals in Frankfurt for its Dunjevac and Lozovac shortly after entering the market. It wouldn’t be strange either if it hadn’t earned recognition for being the best Croatian distillery presented in Frankfurt so soon after emerging. After only eight months of presence on the market, the distillery’s shelves already boast a total of six awards, double gold in San Francisco and one silver, an award in Zagreb and two awards in Frankfurt.

Although it is a debut distillery, it has actually entered higher society with great strides. There are many plans for this new Croatian brand, and they’re not even aware of the importance of these prestigious awards because the team working there simply does what it loves. Where they will end up in the future remains to be seen, but judging by the “fiery” start they’ve enjoyed, there are still many challenges and a lot of recognition ahead of them.

They believe that their success will encourage other brandy producers in the Republic of Croatia to make every effort to activate the thriving domestic spirits market and become recognisable both in Europe and indeed in other countries around the world.

For more, check out our business section.

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In a modern concept adapted to the American market, the new Speeza restaurant offers a unique culinary experience that incorporates traditional Croatian, Greek, and Lebanese dishes. Zambelli Brand Design worked closely with Speeza Restaurant to develop their brand strategy, verbal and visual identity. In addition, they developed a comprehensive brand manual for future brand development and franchises. Taking Mediterranean culture and local preferences into account, the collaboration aimed to realize the founder’s vision.

The center of the visual identity is the brand name “Speeza”. A slang term from Dalmatia (spiza) meaning delicious food or meals, the name was given a unique stamp by replacing the letter “i” with the double letter “ee”, making it more memorable and recognizable. In the typographic logo, a hand symbolizes hospitality, a small fish represents a Mediterranean specialty, and an olive leaf represents freshness and natural ingredients.

Zambelli Brand Design developed a color palette inspired by the vibrant shades of the Mediterranean to reflect the brand’s commitment to healthy and delicious food. As the primary color, olive green represents the brand’s connection to nature and the Mediterranean lifestyle. Furthermore, Zambelli Brand Design created a number of additional graphic and aesthetic elements to accompany consistent brand communication. These elements are inspired by Mediterranean culture, including traditional tablecloth textures and illustrations of local fruits and vegetables.

Also, Zambelli Brand Design played a significant role in designing brand packaging, bags and takeaway packaging, including cups, boxes and paper bags. Also, the agency helped design a unique and well-designed digital menu for the restaurant, as well as interior details that reflect the brand’s Mediterranean identity and create a pleasant and relaxing atmosphere.

Speeza brings the essence of Mediterranean cuisine and culture to Kentucky through Mediterranean street food. Speeza is set to become a favorite destination for food lovers in Kentucky and beyond with its distinctive visual identity, healthy offerings, and welcoming ambience.

Photos: Zambelli Brand Design

For more, make sure to check out our business section.

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As Poslovni Dnevnik writes, the Juicefast food tech startup has found a way to provide a complete nutritional solution with its cold-pressed juices and nutritionally balanced meals. It was founded at the beginning of 2020 by two brothers David and Marko Dravinec. Since then, it has been successfully growing here on the domestic market and winning over more and more fans of leading a healthy life and ensuring proper nutrition.

All of the products produced by the Juicefast food tech startup are 100% natural, without any additives and preservatives, which ensures top quality and taste, and product safety is achieved using the most modern high-pressure processing technology. With the new energy and capital that Rimac and Mur will bring to Juicefast, the innovative brothers behind it plan to do even more.

With the investments from Mate Rimac and Sandro Mur, already known for their innovative business ideas and wildly successful investments, Juicefast ended up with a dream duo backing their startup. This investment is just another example of two world-class entrepreneurs investing in young companies and encouraging the growth of the startup ecosystem across the Republic of Croatia.

“Over the last few years, I’ve supported and invested in several domestic business ventures in their early stages, all with the aim of strengthening the Croatian start-up ecosystem. When considering who to support, the most important thing for me is the team behind the project, scalability beyond Croatian borders and the potential to influence the growth of the Croatian economy and create more jobs. The story of my entry into Juicefast is quite unusual, though.

David sent me a short email in which he introduced himself and the brand. Although I receive a large number of similar emails, I wanted to learn more about Juicefast because you can immediately see when someone knows what they’re doing and has a professional approach to things. When we met, I recognised the potential of the project and David’s passion combined with the persistence needed to create a company. David and the team have a clear vision for their further development, and I believe that the market in which they’re located will be increasingly important and larger in the future. After the first meeting, we quickly agreed on an investment.” Rimac stated.

The founder of Bellabeat and well-known investor Sandro Mur, who, with his business instincts and passion for technology has become one of the most successful Croatian entrepreneurs of all, also wants to help young domestic startups realise their dreams.

“The Juicefast food tech startup is a brand whose products I first of all used privately, and then over time I realised how much potential there is in the whole story. We’re used to the tech sector being the area where the biggest breakthroughs in the startup industry take place, but I’m sure that healthy lifestyle habits and everything that Juicefast represents are the future. They have a vision and they’re passionate, and now, with our support and resources, they’ll get the opportunity to expand and grow. This is just another step towards the creation of successful Croatian brands that will go on to conquer the world,” said Mur.

“We have more than 50,000 clients and more than 500 monthly subscribers here on the Croatian market. We recently opened up on the neighbouring Slovenian market, where we also expect excellent business results. The company currently has 20 employees, but we’re also planning new hires. So far, we’ve already sold over 3,000,000 bottles of juice, which is excellent,” said Juicefast founder David Dravinec.

“We’re currently focusing on the B2C segment, primarily through webshop sales, while in the future we will pay more attention to the corporate sector and other B2B channels. I’ve always believed in the vision of the Juicefast food tech startup, but actually having the support of two ”magicians” in this game, such as Sandro and Mate, gives me even more hope that we’ll manage to achieve everything we’ve got planned. I’m extremely grateful and happy,” concluded David.

For more, make sure to check out our dedicated business section.

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When I first moved to Croatia back in 2003, there were not so many foreigners living here permanently. Those that did usually had a Croatian connection, typically marriage, or they were aid workers or military who had stayed on after the Homeland War. 

Times change, and not only are many more foreigners choosing Croatia to live, but they are also starting businesses and offering increased levels of service and professionalism to the Croatian market. It is great to see. 

I met one such expat on my recent visit to Split, a very interesting young Romanian called Bogdan Petrea, who has not only travelled the world, but also organised shipments all over the planet during his career. An expert in his field, he is currently the only person in Croatia who has the prestigious Global Mobility Specialist, Talent Management (GMS-T®) Designation, based in Washington D.C., bringing considerable credibility to his services. 

After living in Split for a year, he decided to enter the market by founding Dalmatica Mobility Group, offering relocation services to and from Croatia and the region. A boutique service using his global experience and connections, based in Split. It was a pleasure to hear him talk with so much passion about what he does, as well as to realise the potential of this market with the rise of foreigners and diaspora moving to Croatia, including the potentially bigger corporate clients such as Rimac and Infobip. 

From full-on home relocations from Croatia to Australia to the delivery of fine art to a yacht in Montenegro, Bogdan and his team are slowly establishing themselves as a professional and diligent outfit, going the extra mile in an industry that can be very stressful for the customer. I asked him a few questions about his project:

1. Why did you decide to base your business in Croatia, and specifically in Split?

After working remotely in Split for almost 1 year, I saw the potential in the moving and relocation market.

Being part of different expat groups, I saw many times the question popping up – “can you recommend a reliable international moving / shipping company?”

That’s when I decided to go for it – it had to be something related to this beautiful area, this is how Dalmatica Mobility Group was born.

2. What is your competitive advantage in the market here?

I consider Dalmatica Mobility Group – being a “boutique” moving and relocation company.

We are not focused on numbers, but we tend more to provide a very detailed and personal service.

Also, thanks to having obtained the Global Mobility Specialist, Talent Management (GMS-T®) Designation, I specialize in the field of global workforce and talent mobility, growing my expertise by being committed to ongoing education.

This certification is issued by the Worldwide ERC – Employee Relocation Council, headquartered in Washington, DC.

3. Tell us about the process of a typical move, from enquiry to delivery

Customers often want immediate offers (pricing), and I am trying to guide each of them into taking the best option possible.

Upon receiving an enquiry, the first step after the initial contact is the pre-move survey. Most customers want to skip this part and receive a ballpark price, but I consider this to be the foundation of a successful move.

The pre-move survey is free of charge, and it helps me to understand each customer’s needs, to make an estimation of the volume they want to move, and give them advice on transportation solutions, customs-related procedures, and restricted items for shipping.

Since technology nowadays helps us a lot, the pre-move survey can be done virtually, and it’s less invasive and more flexible for each individual.

Once the pre-move survey is done, we continue with the pricing by submitting a very detailed and transparent quotation where all the steps are explained.

Each customer has a dedicated Move Manager that will help them in the moving process from start to finish.

Once packing dates are planned, we assign the necessary materials and the packing team along with the agreed mode of transportation depending on where the destination is – that can be a truck, a sea container, or preparation for an air shipment.  

The packing team will carefully and professionally – dismantle the furniture, disconnect standard appliances, and wrap all the belongings with utmost care using quality materials. An official inventory list will be made that we will share with customers after packing.

Where the location allows, we perform the loading directly in the container or truck, but often due to narrow streets and limitations, all this process has to happen via a warehouse. We also offer storage services for customers requiring that.

While the belongings are in transit, we keep our customers informed about the status of the transport, any possible customs inspections, and finally the estimated arrival time at the destination.

At the destination, we allocate the delivery crew, and we set the dates for moving-in, we deliver, unpack, and assemble the furniture that we took apart at the origin.  

Additionally, we offer a wide range of relocation services to our customers – we assist with immigration, finding a home, or even a school for the children, we open utility contracts, and we pick up the phone for them in the middle of the night if needed.

Basically, we go above and beyond to make moving happening!

4. Do you have any client references we can refer to?

Some articles from our website blog:

We’ve managed to move two sculptures, weighing a total of 600Kg, from an art gallery in London, UK directly to the yacht moored in sunny and beautiful Montenegro. The sculptures have been carefully packed in custom made wooden cases and were delivered with no damage whatsoever. Our fine art moving services are suitable for both large and small pieces of art, with a range of bespoke packing options available. From the simple to the elegant, we offer a range of packaging which will meet your safety and storage needs whether you are moving locally or making an international move. Link.

Recently one of our old valued customers requested to move their belongings from Western Europe to Miami USA. Sure, we said…but there is a small problem, the family is already in the US and on top of this, they already had planned an exotic vacation to the Galapagos Islands. As we always find solutions we couldn’t refuse the service. What did the process involve?  The old cleaning lady who still had access to the house, a very thorough planning and of course lots of trust. We packed all goods with the utmost care and the most important piece – a grand piano – was carefully dismantled, packed and crated for the final transportation in the sea container. In the meantime, the family was enjoying quality moments in the Galapagos Islands – what a paradise!! The goods stayed for a while in our storage warehouse until the container was ready and delivered for loading. While loading the goods were recounted to avoid any possible loss or misplacement and eventually secured in the steel container. Container got sealed, pictures were taken and sent to the family for extra peace of mind. After almost a 3 week journey the container arrived in the port of Miami where our trusted US partners did a fantastic job with the customs clearance and subsequent delivery to the final residence. Link.

5. How does Croatia compare to the rest of Europe in terms of bureaucracy for relocation? How would you improve the system?

Being an expat myself, I understand the difficulties of relocating to a new country, especially having to go through procedures like – customs, registration in the city hall, visas etc.

I am comparing this to living and working in Western Europe where most of the processes are done digitally, to coming to Croatia and dealing with services where piles of papers and stamps, signatures and notary documents are still required.

The bureaucracy in the field of relocation still exists, and I would improve the system by changing its basics:

• A more simplified customs procedure
• Digitalization of all processes in public administration related to relocation.

6. Who are your typical clients and target market?

Typical clients – expats and nationals looking to move internationally to or from Croatia, designers and art collectors,  

We also operate in neighbouring countries, and we aim to become the one-stop supplier in the region.

As for our target market – we are interested to partner up with Croatian corporations that relocate employees and are looking for quality services.

Awesome stuff, and I love the fact that the business is based in Split (although they operate anywhere). Nice to see such services are increasingly available in Croatia, bringing worldwide expertise to the relocation industry here. You can learn more about the services of Dalmatica Mobility Group on their official website. 

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