| by Barry Napier, January 2007
The prestigious Jack Nicklaus golf course at Porto Mariccio (west coast,
above Pula) is currently being built. The Croatian government was interested
not just because of the prestige, but because the course was a major part
of a whole new development, including classy hotel, executive holiday apartments,
and other facilities. In other words, it is a village in its own right.
Croatia is particularly interested in hearing from investors with a
multiple-approach, such as golf courses combined with hotels or other facilities.
The most advanced tourist region, Istria, still has many opportunities
for partnerships with part-started or planned golf courses.
At the moment, all of Croatia only has plans for 23 golf courses. But,
of these a massive 14 are planned for Istria, signifying its relative importance
to tourism generally. They are found not just in popular areas on or near
the coast, but also inland, (�Hinterland�) in flat areas such as the valley
below the stunning Motovun hilltop village, a very popular tourist attraction
and close to the major road from Trieste (Italy) to the main Istrian towns.
Denis Ivo�evic, Head of Tourism in Istria, says that some of the 14
courses are between planning and development stage, but that anyone interested
in discussing a well-planned proposition to complete them is welcome to
discuss the matter. This is because the Ministry of Tourism in Croatia
sees these developments as crucial to the country�s future.
Presently, golf ideas are being developed by a consortium, so that there
is a unitary approach. The consortium consists mainly of the city or municipality
where the development has been planned, the Ministry of Tourism, and the
investor. In Istria an additional 8 golf courses are hoped for, making
22 in total. Most are 18 holes, with a maximum of 27. The locations of
all these developments are given below.
Any interested investor will need to sign a contract regarding the use
of land released by the Croatian government, who will oversee the clearance
of forestry and grasslands. The annual price for use of the land is about
1000 kunas/ha (coastal locations or within 1km of a marine area) and 400
kunas/ha for all others. (100 kunas = $ 17.48, or £8.92, or
E13.55). Similar prices will apply to concessions for buildings, with ownership
transferred to the investor. (Prices shown may have changed lately, so
please check).
The price will be determined by market price, which is defined not by
the market itself, but by the Tax authority. However, the total price can
be lowered if the investor helps towards investment in infrastructure.
Currently, land conceded can be used for up to 40 years. After that, it
is likely that the government will continue the arrangement.
Investors should examine Croatian and Istrian urban plans, and the impact
a golf course will have on the area. As can be seen from the Istrian Ten
Year Plan (and recent review), Istria has very sophisticated tourist goals,
and all foreign investors are required to integrate with these, and adapt
any plans to Croatian ideals. When the investor convinces the town or municipality,
he can then expect to receive permits for site and building. Note that
this is done by tender, so you will have to compete. The closer the plan
is to the local plan, the better your chances!
Once the investor has received the go-ahead, he will be responsible
for any changes and costs in infrastructure, documentation, studies, etc.
Investors should note that the number of holes can change from site
to site and that they must put forward a good plan to elaborate on smaller
developments.
As can be seen from the end-map, most developments tend to be around
the edge of Istria, on or near the coast. Even so, the government is happy
to consider suitable proposals, as the position overall is still fluid.
Details Available on Each Site:
Though showing interested parties, these may, or may not, be current.
Investors should check status with the tourist board. Also, some current
investors may be interested in joint ventures. Any queries can be forwarded
to the relevant tourist official in Istria.
1. "Crveni Vrh" Savudrija
Within area of Buje. A proposal has been made by LSE Ltd. Porec, and
a Study about the influence of golf on the environment has been/is
being made
Known investor: Kemco Ltd. (builders of Alberi � Skiper, a tourist
village
Surface: aprox. 75 ha
Ownership: mixed, prevalent State ownership
 2."
Markocija" Umag
Within area of Buje, presently smaller than needed
Known investor: Golf Invest Ltd. Zagreb
Surface: 117 ha - confirmed by the PPUG of Umag, has to be confirmed
by the PPUG of Buje
Ownership: 82 owned by Golf Invest Ltd. Zagreb; 11 ha is land for construction
3. "Matelici" Umag
Within area of Buje
Known investor: unknown
Surface: approx. 120 ha - has to be confirmed by the PPUG of
Umag and the PPUG of Buje (border land)
Ownership: mixed, prevalent State ownership
4. "Fratarska �uma" Karigador
Within area of Buje
Known investor: unknown
Surface: approx. 80 ha - has to be confirmed by the PPUO of Brtonigla
Ownership: totally Church owned
5. "Pra�carija" Novigrad
Within area of Buje
Proposal made by LSE Ltd. Porec
Study about the influence of golf on the environment made by LSE Ltd.
Known investor: Mr. Du�an Bad�a from Germany, who owns 5.3 ha
Surface: approx. 80 ha, confirmed by the PPUG i GUPG of Novigrad
Ownership: Republic of Croatia 72.1 ha, private 5.3 ha, Church 1.2
ha.
Possessors: PIK Umag 37.2; Hrvatske �ume (public company)19.5; Municipality
Buje 13.4; Private 5.3; Church 1.2 ha; Total 78,6 ha.
The documentation for each parcel of land is available.
6. "Tar-Mirna Stancija �pin" Tar
Proposal made by LSE Ltd. Porec. Study on the influence of golf on
the environment being done
Known investor: unknown
Surface: approx. 110 ha - confirmed by the PPUG of Porec
Ownership: Republic of Croatia 107.8 ha; City of Porec 0.4 ha; Private
0.8 ha.
Possessors: Public 104.6; Hrvatske �ume (public company) 3.2; City
of Porec 0.4; Private 0.8; Total 109 ha.
7. "Larun" Cervar
Within the area of the PPUG and GPUG of Porec
Known investor: Riviera Holding Co., and Agrolaguna Co. as potential
investors
Surface: approx. 80 - 100 ha
Ownership: mixed, prevalent owner the Republic of Croatia
8. "Zelena laguna" Porec
Within the area of Porec
Proposal made by LSE Ltd. Porec
Study on influence of golf on environment being done
Known investor: Plava Laguna Co., Porec
Surface: approx. 90 ha
Ownership: Republic of Croatia 83.4 ha; Private 5.7 ha; Public good
1.0.
Possessors: Agrolaguna Co. 31.1; Plava Laguna Co. 10.7; �umarija (public
company) 41.6; Private 5.7; Public good 1.0; Total 90.1 ha.
9. "Stancija Grande" Vrsar
Not completely defined, but within area of PPUO of Vrsar
Known investor: unknown
Surface: approx. 80 - 100 ha
Ownership: mixed, prevalent owner the Republic of Croatia
10. "Klo�tar" Sv.Lovrec
Within area of the PPUO of Sv.Lovrec (under construction)
Known investor: Unknown
Surface: approx. 100 ha
Ownership: mixed, prevalent owner the Republic of Croatia
11. "San Marko" Rovinj
Not completely defined, but within area of PPUG and GUPG of Rovinj
under construction
Known investor: Interested investors from Italy, re. Mr. Berislav Iskra,
AA Iskra Ltd. Rovinj
Surface: approx. 80 - 100 ha
Ownership: mixed, prevalent owner the Republic of Croatia
12. �Kolone� Bale
Within area of PPUO of Bale; under construction
Known investor: unknown
Surface: approx. 120 - 150 ha
Ownership: the Republic of Croatia
13. "Barbariga-Porto Mariccio" Peroj
Not completely defined, but within area of the PPO of Pula, the PPO
of Pula
Has to be modified
Known investor: AB Maris Ltd.
Surface: approx. 110 ha
Ownership: AB Maris Ltd.; the Republic of Croatia
AB Maris Ltd. has made a request to the Ministry for Tourism for the
concession on forest land owned by the Republic of Croatia. The Ministry
for Tourism has proposed the constitution of a Consortium between the Ministry
for Tourism, the County of Istria, the city of Vodnjan, and AB Maris Ltd.
as joint member.
14. "Brijuni" Veliki Brijun (reconstruction of the old course)
Within area of Parka Brijuni
Known investor: unknown
Surface: approx. 85 ha
Ownership: the Republic of Croatia
15. "Loborika" Loborika
Extension: not completely defined, PPUO of Marcana under construction
Known investor: unknown
Surface: aprox. 80 - 100 ha
Ownership: mixed, prevalent owner the Republic of Croatia
16. "Marlera" Li�njan
Defined by the existing PPO of Pula, the location (site) permission
obtained in 2002
Known investor: potential investor Mr. Dra�en Ladic
Surface: approx. 140 ha
Ownership: mixed, prevalent owner the Republic of Croatia
17. "Koromani" Barban
Within area of the PPUO of Barban; under construction
Known investor: unknown
Surface: approx. 80 - 100 ha
Ownership: mixed, prevalently private owners
18. "Jakomici" Pican
Not completely defined, but within area of the PPUO of Pican; under
construction
There is a proposal by LSE Ltd., Porec
Known investor: a company from England (letter of intent)
Surface: approx. 80 - 100 ha
Ownership: prevalently private
19. "Ko�ljak" Kr�an
Not completely defined, but in area of the PPUO of Kr�an; under construction
(final phase)
Known investor: unknown
Surface: approx. 80 - 100 ha
Ownership: mixed, prevalent owner the Republic of Croatia
20. "Dubrova" Labin
Not completely defined, but in area of the PPUG of Labin and PPUO of
Sv.Nedelja; under construction (final phase)
A proposal made by LSE Ltd., Porec
Known investor: unknown
Surface: approx. 80 ha
Ownership: Republic of Croatia 51.8 ha; City of Labin 22.7 ha; Labinkomerc
2.9 ha; private 1.7 ha.
Possessors: Agrolabin 51.3 ha; JD Putevi 0.5; City of Labin 22.7; Labinkomerc
2.9; private 1.7; Total 79,1 ha.
21. "Brkac" Motovun
Not completely defined, but in area of the PPUO of Motovun; under construction,
A proposal made and its architect is known by the Motovun municipality
Known investor: Norbert Krusche, from Germany
Surface: approx. 120 - 150 ha
Ownership: mixed, prevalent owner the Republic of Croatia
22. "Butoniga" Buzet/Motovun
Not completely defined, but in area of the PPUG of Buzet and Pazin;
under construction,
there is a proposal of the project, the architect is known by the city
of Buzet
Known investor: known by the city of Buzet
Surface: approx. 80 - 100 ha
Ownership: mixed, prevalent owner the Republic of Croatia |
© 2007 Barry Napier
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