The British-based Cruising Association is a venerable sailing club that advocates for cruisers and sailors and provides a wide range of services for iuts members. In the face of a huge tax increase on visiting yachts in Croatia, the association met the problem head on by requesting a formal meeting withthe Croatian representatives in London. Read more about it in the CA news report published recently on their website.
Increases in tourist tax for foreign boat owners in Croatia has led to an international protest involving sailors from Austria, Germany, Italy, and the UK. The new tax, which equates to a 400% increase for cruising sailors, has now become law but meetings are continuing because boat owners feel strongly that they are being unjustly treated. A holiday home owner in Croatia will pay £14 tourist tax a year for two people while the owner of a typical 12–15 metre yacht will pay over £900 for the same benefit.
Cruising Association representatives met the Croatian Ambassador to the UK, Igor Pokaz, and the Counselor for Economic affairs, Davorka Žanić-Dražić, last month. They emphasized the unfairness of the new tax rates and that they had received considerable support from the nautical tourist industry in Croatia. Past President of the CA, Stuart Bradley, pointed out: “While it is the Croatian government’s right to set whatever tourist tax it chooses, the increases would be bound to have a negative effect on the nautical tourist economy.’ Read more.
