Cruise Tourism Industry & City of Dubrovnik

On 24 July 2019, the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and the City of Dubrovnik signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding to foster sustainable tourism and effective visitor management in one of Croatia’s most iconic destinations.

Key Commitments under the MoU

The agreement outlines a joint mission to:

• Apply a Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC)-based assessment to create a long-term sustainability roadmap.
• Enforce the 2020 cruise ship berthing policy, including staggered arrival and departure times to prevent overtourism.
• Launch the “Respect the City” campaign to guide cruise guests on local customs and promote exploration beyond Dubrovnik’s Old Town.

Shared Vision & Immediate Actions

CLIA President Kelly Craighead emphasized this collaboration as a formal affirmation of the industry’s dedication to Dubrovnik’s future: “It is important to include all stakeholders in designing solutions”. Meanwhile, Mayor Mato Franković highlighted the agreement’s role in fostering a systematic, integrated, and participatory model tailored to local and global tourism challenges.

Early Outcomes & Specialist Praise

• CLIA cruise lines began staggering ship schedules in 2018–19 to better manage crowd dynamics.
• New shore excursions were developed to guide visitors beyond heritage areas.
• The Respect the City initiative educates travelers on respectful behavior within Dubrovnik’s cultural space.

Randy Durband, CEO of GSTC, praised the partnership’s collaborative governance: “Tourism is managed best when public authorities engage all stakeholders… Public-private partnerships like this are essential.”

Why This Matters

• Dubrovnik welcomed nearly 1.5 million overnight tourists in 2019—around 36 tourists per local each year—creating serious overtourism pressure.
• UNESCO warned in 2016 that unchecked tourism could threaten Dubrovnik’s World Heritage status, prompting restrictions on cruise visits in 2018, such as capping daily arrivals and reducing touristic infrastructure.

This partnership is the first of its kind in Croatia and marks a major step toward balancing tourism growth with community and environmental well-being.

In Summary