Water shortages in Croatia hurting tourism
01/08/2006
Lack of adequate infrastructure is leaving some of Croatia's prime tourist locations without enough water, forcing rationing and driving away visitors.
By Kristina Cuk for Southeast European Times in Zagreb – 01/08/06
 The large influx of tourists is adding to the water shortage in Croatia. [Getty Images] |
At the peak of the tourist season, coastal regions of Croatia have been plagued with water shortages. Rainfall in Dalmatia has been scarce, and the existing water supply systems are not adequate for large settlements, nor capable of handling the growing influx of people.
As a result, water rationing has been implemented in some areas. The worst situation was on Pag, an island in central Dalmatia. There, local administrations were at odds with each other over supplying water to island districts.
In one district, water use was curtailed from 11 am to 5 pm, while in another, people continued to water gardens and hose down the streets.
Pag usually attracts tens of thousands of tourists. But this summer, some have left. Visitors do not want to pay for an apartment or hotel where they cannot take a shower. To remedy the situation, the military has started importing water from other Croatian cities. Officials are now inviting tourists to come back.
As a result, the crisis has been averted -- for now. Over the long term, the problem will have to be addressed by overhauling the water system. Otherwise, Croatia can expect shortages and emergency measures each year, not a welcome prospect for a country seeking to develop its tourism industry.
Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader has expressed solidarity with islanders and their guests. He vowed that Pag would receive government support soon and that a new water supply system will be built.
While it has been common for this part of Croatia to suffer summer water shortages, this has been the most acute yet. Experts say more planning ahead of the tourist season is needed, rather than simply waiting for the next set of angry tourists and frustrated hotel owners.
Email to a friend
Verzija za štampanje 
Kosovo: Pat-pozicija na granici
Energija: pitanja i trendovi
Promjena percepcija: žene na Balkanu
Balkan: ozelenjavanje
Vaši komentari na članke SETimesa su dobrodošli.
Nadamo se da ćete ovaj forum koristiti za interakciju s drugim čitaocima širom jugoistočne Evrope. Da bismo ovo iskustvo održali zanimljivim, molimo Vas da slijedite pravila iznesena u politici za davanje komentara. Samim upisivanjem svojih komentara vi pristajete na ta pravila. SETimes.com podstiče diskusiju o svim temama, uključujući i one osjetljive, ali istaknuti komentari predstavljaju isključivo stavove onih koji su ih upisali. Ne mora značiti da se SETimes.com slaže ili da odobrava ideje, stavove i mišljenja izražene u tim komentarima. SETimes.com pozdravlja konstruktivnu diskusiju, ali ne podržava upotrebu materijala koji se preslikavaju iz drugih izvora, linkova bez pratećeg teksta i jednorednih slogana. Ovo je forum koji vode moderatori. Može se desiti da komentari za koje se bude smatralo da su zlonamjerni, uvredljivi ili oni s prostim sadržajem ne budu objavljeni.
Politika za davanje komentara na SETimesu