Croatia the world’s only nautical destination with sustainability-trained marina staff

Croatia is a leading example in nautical tourism: Marina staff educated on sustainability for many years

Croatia stands out as the only nautical destination in the world where most marina staff have been trained in sustainability, ensuring that visitors can receive guidance from professionals dedicated to protecting the marine environment. This commitment helps preserve the stunning Adriatic Sea and enhances the overall sailing experience.

The Green Sail Marina Partner Program plays a crucial role in shaping the future of sustainable nautical tourism. Since 2017, Green Sail has provided vital sustainability education, training over 800 participants and ensuring that 34 marinas continuously upgrade their knowledge every two years.

Additionally, Through its online courses, Green Sail has successfully educated over 1,000 participants on marine sustainability, climate change, and the essentials of sustainability when chartering a yacht in Croatia.

This ongoing education is essential in raising awareness of environmental challenges and equipping marina staff (ACI marinas, D-marin marinas, Marina Frapa, Marina Agana, Marina Trogir SCT etc.) with the expertise needed to drive real change. By empowering them to support charter operators and their clients in adopting sustainable practices, Green Sail is actively safeguarding marine ecosystems and setting new standards for responsible tourism.

Green Sail, a nonprofit organisation, is dedicated to raising awareness and providing practical solutions for environmental protection in the nautical industry. Through partnerships with yacht charter companies, marinas, and other stakeholders, they work to make sustainable sailing the standard.

Something else unique was invented in Croatia and that is the Green Sail Footprint System that calculates each vessel’s rating by taking into account the emissions produced by the vessel, energy consumption, water use, and how much waste is produced onboard. The Verification process helps businesses in the nautical industry measure and reduce their environmental impact through a structured and transparent assessment.

(Photo: Green Sail)

Many yacht charter companies with bases in Croatia like NCP & Mare, Sail Croatia, More Yacht Club, Orvas Yachting, ACE Yachting, Euromarine, Candor Charter, Dubrovnik Yachting, Euronautic, Adriatic Sailing, and Pitter already use this system.

To enhance the efficiency of this process, Green Sail collaborates with booking systems like Nausys and MMK, integrating sustainability tracking into their systems too. This verification not only strengthens a company’s commitment to environmental responsibility but also enhances its visibility among eco-conscious clients and partners.

By choosing Croatia, sailors and travellers support a destination that needs continuous marine conservation, responsible tourism, and high environmental standards, enhancing their experience while contributing to long-term sustainability.

The collective efforts of all tourism stakeholders, from local communities and marina staff to tourism organizations are essential for positioning Croatia as a leader in sustainable tourism and safeguarding its remarkable natural heritage