Developmental Perspectives of City Tourism Offer of Rijeka Slobodan Ivanović, PhD., Full Professor Romina Alkier, PhD., Assistant Professor Vedran Milojica, MA

Agenda Goal of the paper To present theory of the city tourist offer, the state of the tourist offer of the city of Rijeka with the use of statistical indicators and results of the empirical research, and to propose possible developmental guidelines. Purpose of the paper: To present the importance of city tourism as a selective tourism form in function of achieving competitiveness of the city of Rijeka and the Republic of Croatia on the tourist market Research Subject: Contribution of city tourism offer in achieving competitiveness of a city on the international tourist market;

Introduction Last 20 years of 20th century growing interest from tourists towards cities. Cities constantly changing; they are built, transformed, continuously growing and in a constant state of change to provide its visitors the experiences and products they expect; These products and experiences constantly changing in order to adapt to an increasing demand. Result: Result: constant investment in infrastructure, promotion and conservation ultimately benefiting tourists and local residents (UNWTO Global Report on City Tourism 2012)

Review of the state of the tourist offer of the city Rijeka Rijeka possesses all natural, cultural-historical and other resources; Organization of cultural events such as the famous Rijeka Carnival, etc.; Good connection with the neighboring countries; A significant pre-condition of achieving success on the international tourist market.

Achieved Tourist Arrivals and Overnights in the City of Rijeka in the period Tourist ArrivalsTourist Overnights YearForeignDomesticTotalForeignDomesticTotal Source: (access )

Satisfaction of tourists with the elements of tourist offer in the city of Rijeka Rank Elements of tourist offer in the city of Rijeka Grade 1Space, resources, environment5,64 2Organization of the destination5,55 3Facilities5,47 4Inhabitants, employees in tourism5,40 4Recognizability, safety, level of information5,40 Source: Authors´ adaptation according to Tourism Destination Research 2012, p. 33

Satisfaction of tourists with the facilities of tourist offer of the city of Rijeka RankFacilitiesGrade 1Entertainment facilities5,85 2Accommodation capacities5,79 3Events5,60 4Restaurants5,55 5Field-trips offer5,51 6Nautical offer5,47 7Local gastronomy5,45 8Facilities for health tourism5,38 9Historical-cultural heritage5,26 9Facilities for children5,26 10Relation of price and quality5,21 10Meetings and Conferences5,21 10Cultural facilities5,21 11Sports facilities5,04 Average grade5,47 Source: Authors´ adaptation according to Tourism Destination Research 2012, p. 33

Daily consumption of tourists of the city of Rijeka (%) Amount in EURO Less than 30 € 30-50€50-100€ More than 100€ Rijeka40,431,925,52,2 Source: Authors´ adaptation according to Tourism Destination Research 2012, p. 33

SWOT analysis of City tourism of Rijeka Author´s analysis

Source: Authors' adaptation according to: Alkier Radnić, R., Drpić, D., Milojica, V.: Sustainable Rural Tourism in Croatia and the Role of Cultural Resources according to Module Management and Tourism on Country Tourist Farms). Chain of Values in City Tourism offer

UNWTO developmental guidelines for City Tourism development Raise awareness of the economic and social impact of city tourism on national and local economies. Establish effective and renewed instruments for partnerships between all stakeholders involved with tourism in order to ensure the sharing of information, initiatives and knowledge to benefit the destination, tourists and local residents. Human capital and consequently invest in professional training. (Authors´ adaptation according to UNWTO (2012). Global Report on City Tourism AM Reports: Vol. 6.)

UNWTO developmental guidelines for City Tourism development Measures which encourage, foster and recognize sustainable local policies and initiatives that can serve as models and guides for all international tourism actors. Implement innovative strategies to provide new and more specialized products with high added value, addressing niche markets and upgrading the quality of the visitor experience. Advance towards the concept of ‘Smart Cities’, urban destinations that prioritize strategies and actions that include sustainable policies and innovative technological developments as integral elements. (Authors´ adaptation according to UNWTO (2012). Global Report on City Tourism AM Reports: Vol. 6.)

Developmental guidelines for improvement of Rijeka˙s city tourism offer Formation of a high quality tourist offer which will enable whole year business (especially cultural, religious and event tourism) Result Result: reduction of oscillations in tourist turnover, increase the tourist consumption; Application of the Chain of values of city tourism offer, with a goal of profiling a recognizable image and forming a recognizable tourist brand; Show the domestic population the real importance and benefits of development of tourism for the city;

Developmental guidelines for improvement of Rijeka˙s city tourism offer (2.) Additional learning educational programs for tourism and hospitality staff based on European and world´s best practice; Result: better quality of services, self-development, satisfaction with work; Enable higher level of availability of information regarding the tourist offer of Rijeka

Developmental guidelines for improvement of Rijeka˙s city tourism offer (3.) Increase the level of safety, considering that terrorist attacks and natural hazards occur very often on the world level. The recognizability of the destination as a safe one is an important factor in consumer´s decision to visit the destination; Marketing activities = formation of a unique and recognizable image and brand of the tourist offer of Rijeka.

Conclusion Rijeka´s tourist offer still unsufficiently developed Necessity of further tourist market research and development of a sustainable and recognizable tourist product based on uniqueness and specificity, offered whole year round; Result: socio-economic advantages for the local population; Recognizable image and branding the city tourism offer Competitive advantages on the international tourist market.

Literature Alkier Radnić, R., Milojica, V., Danijel Drpić. (2012). Sustainable Rural Tourism in Croatia and the Role of Cultural Resources. Journal of International Scientific Publications: Economy & Business. Vol. 6 No Marković, S., Smolčić Jurdana, D., Soldić Frleta, D. (2012). Results of the Emphirical Research of Tourists Attitudes Concerning the Tourism Offering of Kvarner and its destinations. In Branko Blažević and Milena Peršić (Ed.), Tourism Destination Research (21-63). Opatija: Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management Opatija. Module Management and Tourism on Country Tourist Farms. Retrieved 15th September 2011, from

Literature Tourist Board of the city of Rijeka. Tourist turnover in the area of the city of Rijeka for the period Retrieved 23rd May 2015, from United Nations World Tourism Organization (2012). Global Report on City Tourism AM Reports: Vol. 6. Retrieved 23rd May 2015, from city_platma.pdf. World Tourism Organization (2012). Global Report on City Tourism - Cities 2012 Project. United Nations World Tourism Organization. Retrieved 22nd May 2015, from city_platma.pdf

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION! Slobodan Ivanović, PhD., Full Professor Romina Alkier, Assistant Professor Vedran Milojica, MA