Istria has never had more guests than this year. What does this mean for the locals and nature? A conversation with activist Dunja Mickov about crowded beaches, the power of the big players – and the luxury camping trend.
Croatia appears to be getting closer a record year for tourism. According to the national tourism association, 18.7 million travelers visited the country between January and September, The offseason is also strong. Istria had the most visitors. Dunja Mickov works for the NGO Zelena Istra (Green Istria) based in the coastal town of Pula. One of the goals of their initiative is to defend themselves against the “destruction of coastal areas”. Commitment to nature and social justice are closely linked. But the commitment to more participation is not without risk for activists, as Mickov explains.