Luxury hotel planned on site of former Podravka resort in Pirovac

(Photo: Općina Pirovac)

A major tourism development is set to reshape the seafront in the Dalmatian town of Pirovac, where the long-abandoned former workers’ resort once owned by Podravka has now been demolished.

The site, located on one of the town’s most popular beaches, will be redeveloped into a modern hotel complex aimed at attracting higher-spending visitors and extending tourism beyond the peak summer season.

For decades, the deteriorating holiday facility stood neglected within a forested coastal area, becoming an eyesore despite its prime seaside location. Ownership of the property changed several times over the years in what locals describe as a typical post-privatisation story.

Now, the redevelopment project is moving forward under the company Pirovac projekt, which plans to build a high-category hotel with apartments and a range of accompanying facilities.

The path to redevelopment has taken years, with local authorities needing to amend spatial planning regulations to allow the investment to proceed.

(Photo: Općina Pirovac)

According to the mayor of Pirovac, Ivan Gulam, the municipality worked carefully to balance development capacity with available space.

“We linked the number of hectares to the number of beds and arrived at an optimal figure,” Gulam told HRT, adding that the project has helped attract several investors to the area.

He noted that additional high-value camping resorts are also planned within the same tourism zone in the coming years.

Local officials stress that sustainable tourism and preserving the character of the destination remain key priorities.

Pirovac has long developed as a family-oriented holiday destination, known for its accessible beaches and favourable sea temperatures.

Tourism entrepreneur Dijana Kurtov-Čubrić highlighted the natural advantages of the destination, noting that the sea in the area is often several degrees warmer than in other parts of the Adriatic.

“Our beaches are accessible and well maintained,” she said.

(Photo: Općina Pirovac)

Facilities designed for year-round tourism

The new hotel will feature 74 rooms, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a wellness centre and conference halls. The offer will also be tailored to families.

According to the director of the local tourist board, Igor Bergam, the development is expected to attract a new structure of visitors.

“This will bring guests with higher purchasing power, as well as those visiting outside the main summer season, unlike private accommodation which is largely concentrated in the summer months,” Bergam explained.

Local tourism stakeholders believe the investment could encourage further development in the town.

Kurtov-Čubrić said the project could inspire new businesses and expanded tourism offerings across the destination.