Zadar Youth Hostel re-opened after a big recostruction

The hostel was re-opened by the Croatian Minister of Tourism Damir Bajs.

Damir Bajs, Minister of Tourism, addressed  some 150 guests at the re-opening ceremony of the Zadar Youth Hostel and emphasized the importance of youth tourism for Croatian tourism and the strong governmental commitment to support the development of youth tourism in Croatia. 
 
The re-opening ceremony in Zadar Youth Hostel gathered CYHA's Assembly members,  CYHA veterans and volunteers and hostel professionals, members of Non-governmental organizations, school principals and teachers as well as high representatives from youth hostel associations of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Slovenia.

Many high officials from the state and local authorities and institutions were also present: the State Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism Mr Branko Grgić, Mayor of the City of Zadar Dr Zvonimir Vrančić, General Director of the Croatian Tourist Board Mr Niko Bulić, President of the Croatian Association of Travel Agencies Mr Boris Žgomba and other distinguished guests – partners and friends of associations. 

On behalf of Hostelling International present were Mr Igor Jurišič, HI Board Member, and Mr Goran Beus-Richembergh, HI Regional Co-ordinator.

Minister of Tourism said on this occasion: "It is of greatest importance that the Croatian tourism is moving forward with quality. This youth hostel is a great example of the quality development. Youth tourism is very important for our country as we know that young visitors tend to come back to countries and towns where they have gained good memories and experience. Our young visitors are also transmitting the image of our country and therefore the government will further support youth tourism."

Dr Zvonimir Vrančić, Major of the City of Zadar, emphasized the hospitality of Zadar and many great sites in the town and surrounding area. "Now the refurbished Zadar Youth Hostel will contribute to the quality and hospitality our town offers to its guest", he said.

The total budget of this reconstruction, which  was the second stage of the reconstruction of the Zadar Youth Hostel in the last 7 years, was €700.000. The hostel consists of several buildings and after one building was reconstructed in 2005, two more buildings were part of this reconstruction.

Next to the complete reconstruction of the buildings, the reconstruction covered also two new hostel terraces with an open-air bar and a fantastic view to the sea and the marina just opposite the hostel.  The conference room was also renewed and provides facilities and equipment for up to 100 people.

Four completely new rooms for  people with disabilities makes this hostel the first accessible hostel in Croatia. The hostel now has a new reception area and, of course, renovated rooms now have new furniture.

The total capacity of the Youth Hostel Zadar is 295 beds placed in 14 double rooms, 11 triple rooms, 25 four-bedded rooms, 2 five-bedded rooms, 18 six-bedded rooms and 2 eight-bedded rooms.

Other hostel facilities include three smaller seminar rooms and one meeting and classroom, sports court suitable for handball, basketball and football, new equipped kitchen providing all meals and Wi-Fi.

The Youth Hostel Zadar facilities and its great location within the famous tourist area of Borik and just opposite the beaches makes this hostel and ideal place for individual guests (excellent connections with the main bus terminal and the city center with the local bus) as well as tourist groups, school groups, associations and sports clubs.
 
The reconstruction of the hostel was also an excellent opportunity for CYHA to implement the new HI brand. This is the first CYHA's youth hostel to have all the hostel signs in correspondence to the new HI brand, probably even the first HI hostel in the world that has done such a move in order to promote the global HI network. 
 
The Zadar YH is some 40 years old and it was always a very popular place for both international and domestic guests. In the recent past, during the Croatian War of Independence (1991 – 1995), Zadar Youth Hostel provided shelter for more than 300 refugees.  The hostel suffered many damages during the war and a special thanks goes to the hostel staff who worked and took care for the refugees in the hostel. Most of the staff are still working in this hostel. Therefore CYHA is happy to provide them finally great working conditions which in delivering great hostel experience for more than 20.000 guests using this hostel every year.