Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and the City of Dubrovnik have entered a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on preserving and protecting the cultural heritage of the city through responsible tourism management.
The partnership also works to help establish Dubrovnik as a model of sustainable tourism in the Adriatic region and beyond.
The MOU signed by Kelly Craighead, CLIA, president & CEO, and Mato Frankovi?, Mayor, City of Dubrovnik, focuses on investment, collaboration and best practices for long-term destination management to benefit residents and visitors alike.
Some of the immediate actions include ? engaging major stakeholders including the local community and international organisations; collaborating on a destination stewardship roadmap for the city based on UN sustainable tourism criteria; and communicating and implementing the previously developed 2020 cruise ship berthing policy.
They are also exploring the possibility of a Dubrovnik World Heritage Visitor Center and Intermodal Transportation Center in Gru? Port.
Craighead said: "The agreement validates the work we have already done with Mayor Frankovi? and formalizes the cruise industry?s continued commitment to the City of Dubrovnik and its people.
"Signing of the MOU today is an important step in developing innovative practices in sustainable tourism management with Mayor Frankovi? and the city of Dubrovnik. We look forward to sharing specific action plans and our progress as we work together with the city and other tourism partners to support responsible tourism in this great city."
Mayor Mato Frankovi? said: "We have developed an open and trustworthy relationship with CLIA and its members over the last two years. This commitment is just a beginning of a joint systematic, integrated and participative approach that will target some of the most important tourism issues locally and globally."
He added: ?Dubrovnik is first and foremost our home. We want to welcome guests and share our amazing home in a way that protects and preserves it. We hope this pioneering cooperation agreement will show the way to all relevant stakeholders including other destinations to work together to make our tourism and communities more sustainable, and our local people and our guests more satisfied.?
