Last Minute rent a car, part of Viator group, is organizing a series of presentations and interviews with individuals in key positions related to modern business operations in the Adriatic region and beyond. Our goal is especially to promote positive, creative practices with a focus on ecological and social sustainability.

In this installment, we are honored to present our first interviewee from the field of environmental management and preservation: Ms. Nella Slavica, Director of Public Institute of “Krka National Park”.

Krka waterfalls and the wider region surrounding the national park represent one of the most prominent symbols of Croatia and are known worldwide not just for their natural beauty, but also for the highly positive example it sets in managing such a precious and delicate natural resource.

1. We have heard much about the “overtourism” phenomenon: unsustainable tourism levels caused by excessive visitor numbers to a specific destination. What is the status and outlook of Krka National Park regarding visitor numbers, visitor trends and its capacity? 

As opposed to numerous destinations around the world facing the “overtourism” menace and unsustainable levels of tourism caused by excessive visitor numbers, Krka National Park actively manages visits in accordance with sustainability principles.

Krka National Park represents a fine example of the opposite trend – sustainable tourism based on long-term planning, balancing environmental preservation and visitor experience with active involvement of the local community.

2. What are some practical ways in which you have achieved this goal?

Instead of concentrating the visitors at a specific prominent location, primarily the iconic “Skradinski buk” waterfall in our case, the Park authorities actively encourage spatial and temporal distribution dispersion of visitors by heavily promoting less well known but just as rewarding sites, such as the upper and middle flows of Krka River.

Diverse projects, such as “Unknown Krka: hidden treasures of the upper and middle course of the Krka River”, contribute to a balanced visitor distribution all year-long and reduce the pressure experienced by Krka’s most popular sites.

Limiting visitor numbers and swimming at “Skradinski buk” waterfall are also practical measures used to manage visitor numbers to preserve natural heritage. Simultaneously, the Park authorities strive to maintain positive relations with the local population and local businesses, being highly sensitive to their importance in developing sustainable tourism.

We’d like to highlight that these efforts have been recognized by the Krka National Park being awarded the golden “Green Destinations” certificate, an international award for destinations running sustainable tourism policies. Acquiring this certificate confirms that the Park authorities have ultimately been successful in their continuous sustainable visitor management, environmental preservation, visitor education and reducing ecological footprint, including advances in waste management and renewable energy usage.

Krka National Park ultimately sets a highly positive example in this field because it has successfully balanced tourism, protection of natural environments and local community interests, which affirms its devotion to sustainability and international standards in destination management.

3. Krka Waterfalls are among the most popular destinations for both local and foreign visitors, so tourists often look for not just a day trip, but also accommodation in the surrounding areas. Does Krka National Park cooperate with the local authorities to ensure sustainable and ecologically sound construction of new accommodation capacity near the park area?

The synergy in development projects and preserving our common environment is key to not just economic progress in areas surrounding the Park, but also the Šibenik-Knin county in general. Thus, we strive to maintain active, continuous cooperation with the local authorities of the areas where Krka National Park is located.

In accordance with sustainable management principles, we support the sustainability of local accommodation in the wider park area, whether it’s about improvement or adaptation of existing buildings or construction of new ones. We try to set a positive example ourselves in this area to inspire the local community. Only by directing these activities towards a common sustainability outcome are we able to protect the natural environment.

By organizing traditional panels and “Meetings” with the local populace and educational workshops, we boost communication with the local community and encourage sharing of ideas, which is important for the future development of this area. It is also important to achieve joint care of infrastructure close to the park area. For example, this pertains to restoring and maintaining ancient paths once used by visitors to travel to their fields and water sources, which have nowadays become nature trails teeming with visitors. This type of content boosts tourism quality and economic revitalization of rural areas.

4. What activities are sponsored or supported by Krka National Park in its immediate environment?

The Public Institute of “Krka National Park” invests in various infrastructural projects, such as the “Krka” Eco Campus in Puljani; it also participates in the economic development of surrounding areas and opens new horizons for additional educational, tourist and cultural content that will bring long-term benefits to the local community.

We would like to especially highlight that almost all National Park employees hail from this area, which means that they have ties to Krka not just professionally, but on a personal level as well. Other than that, the park authorities support various local projects ranging from sports and cultural activities to public procurement contests aimed at local associations and finally to co-funding emergency health services and coordinating with local fire services.

All this contributes to the creation of a common mindset aimed at preserving the Krka area and improving livelihoods in its immediate environment.

5. How much operating autonomy does your public institute enjoy in relation to the Croatian Ministry of Environmental Protection and Green Transition?

The Public Institute of “Krka National Park” enjoys a certain level of autonomy in its daily operations and Park management, but we operate within the legal framework set by the Croatian Ministry of environmental protection and green transition and other applicable regulations of Republic of Croatia. The Ministry represents our key partner in achieving our common goals – environmental protection and ensuring sustainable development for future generations.

Cooperation is continuous and mutually proactive, whether it’s regarding adjustment of management plans, performance of strategic projects, legal oversight of operations or improvement of environmental protection policies. Furthermore, national parks and nature parks in Croatia routinely share and exchange their experiences and best practice examples, since we all share common challenges, and we all strive to preserve the immense natural treasures we manage.

Our task is to perform practical measures in the field, while the Ministry sets a strategic frame and provides support. Through this, we achieve a partnership based on trust, professionalism and shared responsibility for all the areas we protect.

6. How did climate change affect the Krka National Park area? What could be done to mitigate them?

Climate change has already had a measurable effect on the Krka National Park, and we expect additional challenges in the future. We have recorded an increase in air temperatures and a reduction in yearly rainfall, which has a direct effect on the aquatic ecological environments of Krka River. Longer periods of drought, reduced water flows and elevated water temperatures can interrupt the formation of tufa (a form of calcium carbonate also referred to as “travertine”) and affect the survival of numerous sensitive plant and animal communities.

On top of that, climate change encourages propagation of invasive species, endangering the local species living within a narrow band of ecological conditions even further.

Regardless of these challenges, it is possible to undertake a series of measures aimed at mitigating the effects of climate change. Krka National Park has already performed various practical steps: it performs studies and analysis of hydrological changes, establishes automated weather monitoring stations to track climate indicators, and actively participates in European initiatives such as planting three billion trees by 2030.

Furthermore, through initiatives such as the “Green Eye Festival”, the park authorities invest significantly into public education – especially youth education – regarding the importance of ecological and climate literacy. These activities contribute to the creation of a wider sense of social engagement and motivate the community to adhere to best practices related to sustainability.

All these measures – from scientific monitoring to resource management and education and finally to practical examples like planting trees – are necessary to mitigate negative effects of climate change and to provide long-term preservation of the natural and cultural heritage of Krka National Park.

7. What are the visitation levels like in Krka National Park outside of peak season? Do you undertake any activities to boost it during the low season?

Krka National Park remains open throughout the year. Our visitor levels outside of peak tourist season are continuously growing, which is a result of long-term thoughtful, sustainable management.

We are delighted that the pressure during the peak months (July and August especially) has been reducing and that a growing number of visitors opts to visit the park in spring and autumn, and even in winter. On top of that, visitors are now more and more likely to discover Krka outside its famous locales such as “Skradinski buk” waterfall, which helps with spatial dispersion of visits. This contributes to the preservation of sensitive areas and allows visitors to experience nature in a more authentic and intimate way.

To provide an additional boost to visitor levels during low season, we undertake a wide range of activities. We offer reduced ticket prices for afternoon hours and for sites located in the middle and upper parts of Krka River flow. We have introduced free bus transport. We routinely establish new content: improving walking and biking nature trails and panorama points, installing educational panels and, most importantly, developing the previously mentioned “Krka” Eco Campus in Puljani.

With 47 km of walking trails and 388 km of bicycle trails, Krka becomes a full-fledged recreational zone for the local population as well, which provides an additional boost to visitation levels year-long.

Thanks to this educational content and activities, on top of lightening the load in the park’s most sensitive areas, we improve the experience for our visitors and promote sustainable development of tourism all year-long.

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It was an absolute pleasure to interview Ms. Slavica, and we would like to express our sincere thanks for these insights, and wish her and Krka National Park’s entire staff allthe best in future endeavors!