How Tourism is Helping to Preserve Croatia’s Cultural Heritage

Tourism is so important to countries but there is also the need to preserve your cultural heritage. That is the situation facing Dubrovnik in Croatia as they try to protect the fragile state of their much-visited City Walls.

2025 has seen record numbers of tourists making their way to Dubrovnik. This helps the economy and some of the revenue earned from visitors is being put to very good use. Widespread heritage conservation projects are receiving much-needed financial assistance.

Dubrovnik’s City Walls have been visited by nearly half a million people this year. The Walls of Ston saw a record number of tourists in July of this year even during the heatwave.

Receiving help will be the Society of Friends of Dubrovnik Antiquities (DPDS). They are a non-profit organisation that helps to preserve, protect and promote the cultural heritage of the city. In particular, this includes the historic city walls.

The DPDS was founded back in 1952 and didn’t just have the aim of preserving Dubrovnik’s cultural and historical heritage. There was also the important task of raising awareness and interest in the fact it was a task that was required. That had not always been the case in the city and in the 1800s there had been many architectural riches either sold, stolen or simply vanishing.

It was a naval engineer called Lukša Beritić who was the first president of the DPDS. His dream of protecting the cultural heritage of the city has come true. There is still a great deal to do though and it all requires a great deal of funding.

60 per cent of each ticket sold (whether it be the Dubrovnik Pass or direct ticket sales) goes to the City of Dubrovnik, the other 40 per cent goes to the DPDS. In 2024, a total of €3.6 million was received by the DPDS from the Dubrovnik Pass. A further €4.8 million came from direct ticket sales for a total of €8.4 million.

There are deductions made such as profit tax and VAT, as well as expenses such as the salaries paid to employees. Surplus income is dedicated to preserving and restoring heritage monuments in Croatia.

The Koruna Fortress in Ston is currently being restored. This major restoration project hopes to see the Fortress open to visitors in time for the beginning of next year’s tourist season. A trip to see the Koruna Fort or these Croatian islands is like being transported back to the 14th century. It was built by the Republic of Dubrovnik with the purpose of protecting the salt pans of Mali Ston from any invaders.

Tourists remain impressed with the sturdy stone walls of the fortress, it’s almost like being in an episode of ‘Game of Thrones.’ That’s not all though, there are the incredible views that can be seen across the Adriatic coastline.

Inside the fort are a number of chambers and tourists can take a walk along the ramparts. They can take in the gorgeous view of the olive groves and surrounding vineyards. It’s particularly recommended for tourists to visit during either the early morning or the late afternoon. That’s when the sunlight shines down best on the ancient stones.

Other current restoration projects include refurbishing the Mala Kuća which is situated on Lopud Island. When the work is completed, it will form part of the island’s Rector’s Palace in Janjina. That is also being restored at present. It will need to obtain a usage permit and undergo a technical inspection. Both of these are needed if the site is to be allowed to open for tourists to visit it.

Overtourism is a word that seems to be being used a great deal this year. The heritage preservation scheme in Dubrovnik can help support sustainable levels of tourism. It also helps to reduce the strain that is placed on fragile tourist attractions as well as ecosystems.

Croatia is following in the footsteps of the Balearic Islands. Nine years ago, they introduced an eco-tax as a way to combat the problems that were being caused to the island’s ecosystems in Majorca, Ibiza, Formentera and Menorca due to its popularity with tourists.

The tax wasn’t popular with some travel companies and hoteliers. However, revenue that was received has been used to greatly help fund cultural and historical projects. This year is likely to see nearly €377 million being invested in a total of 79 sustainability projects.

Slovenia has also gone down this route. They use revenue earned from tourism to fund revitalisation and preservation. Parks and castle structures have been helped but there are other ways in which the revenue is being used. Themed trails and virtual reality experiences have been developed thanks to the additional revenue.

Tourism isn’t just about heading to the beach and the bars. Learning more about the heritage and culture of the areas you visit is also rewarding. It just costs a great deal to ensure that the places that are of such interest are both protected and preserved for future generations to enjoy.