Domagoj Milišić, owner of Croatia Yachting: "We want to remain at the forefront of innovation in the Croatian nautical sector."

We spoke with Domagoj Milišić, owner of Croatia Yachting to understand their path to becoming one of the largest yacht charter fleet operators and boat dealers, as well as their plans for a new marina on the south coast,

How did you get started in the boating industry?

I founded Croatia Yachting in 2004, as an online intermediary in the yacht charter industry  at a time when online bookings were not yet standard, and the Croatian charter sector was much less digitalized than it is today. The idea came from my personal passion for the sea, ships and sailing, and my belief that the internet could completely change the way people find and book vessels. Even then, I recognized the opportunity to create a more transparent, accessible and technologically advanced charter platform. It soon became clear that we wanted to build much more than that. The key turning point occurred in 2006 with the purchase of the first vessel, which began the development of our own management model. Since then, Croatia Yachting has been growing continuously. Today we manage a fleet of more than 200 vessels, and operate through six charter bases on the Adriatic.

What is the secret to your rapid growth over the years?

We established exclusive dealerships for some of the world's most famous nautical brands, starting with Hanse yachts, and Bali Catamarans, later adding motor yacht brands such as Fjord, Sealine, Bellini Yachts.  This allowed us to offer charter boat investors excellent terms for our charter management program, and provide first hand service.  This has led us to be the largest charter company owned by a single Croatian entrepreneur. I am particularly proud that this growth has been achieved organically, through a long-term strategy, quality of service and client trust.  The boat dealerships also provide a steady revenue stream serving individual boat owners.

Now that your company is well diversified, how important are your charter operations, and what sets you apart from other charter operators?

Charter has been the foundation of Croatia Yachting's business from the very beginning and the segment for which we are most recognizable on the international market today. Over more than two decades, we have developed one of the strongest charter operations in Croatia. Our goal has never been just to offer a large number of vessels, but to create a system that provides guests with safety, top service and an unforgettable sailing experience. We are particularly proud of the fact that today we operate the largest Hanse charter fleet in the world and the largest Bali Catamarans fleet in the Mediterranean. This is not only a confirmation of our market position, but also a proof of the long-standing trust that we have built with the world's leading boat manufacturers. Such a position allows us to offer our guests the latest models, top-quality equipment and a wide range of vessels adapted to different sailing styles.

Our charter offer includes sailboats, catamarans and motor boats, from models ideal for family holidays to luxury yachts with professional crews. We have recorded particularly strong growth in the catamaran segment in recent years, where the Bali models attract guests looking for more space, privacy and comfort. At the same time, Hanse sailboats remain the first choice of many sailing enthusiasts due to their performance, safety and top-notch design.

Our clientele comes from all over the world, with the largest number of guests coming from Germany, Austria, Great Britain, Scandinavia, Switzerland and the USA. We notice that guest habits are constantly changing. Today's clients are looking less for just a boat and more for a complete experience. Therefore, in addition to the charter, we also offer additional services such as professional skippers, hostesses, route planning, rental of various equipment for water activities, and complete provisioning support for the purchase of everything you need in your floating home for the next week or two.

One of our biggest competitive advantages is the fact that we control the entire process. Unlike many charter brokers, Croatia Yachting has its own fleet, its own bases and its own operational teams. This allows us consistent quality control, faster response to guests and a higher level of service throughout the trip.

Additional value is also created by our charter management model, through which we enable private owners to professionally manage their vessels. Owners get a reliable partner who takes care of all operational, technical and commercial aspects, while guests have access to a carefully maintained and quality fleet.

I believe that the combination of top-quality vessels, strong infrastructure, digital orientation and a professional team is the reason why Croatia Yachting occupies a leading position on the market today. Our goal is not to be the biggest at all costs, but to be a company that guests return to because they know they will receive professional service, a quality vessel and an experience that exceeds their expectations.

What about the motor boat sector?

Motor boats are becoming an increasingly popular choice among sailors. Guests are looking for flexibility, speed and a higher level of comfort, which makes motor yachts extremely attractive. We offer various categories of motor boats - from sporty "open" motor yachts to luxury motor yachts for multi-day cruises. Models from renowned shipyards such as Fjord, Sealine, but also other premium brands that we represent, such as Bellini Yacht, are in particular demand.

We are recording the greatest interest in vessels that offer a combination of top performance, spacious exterior areas and modern technology. Guests are increasingly choosing motor yachts for short luxury holidays or exclusive family vacations on the Adriatic.

What are your plans for a new marina, and how it will impact your operations?

The marina project in Ploče represents the most important development investment and a new phase of growth. It is a project worth approximately 30 million euros that will unite a boutique marina for private boat owners, a large charter marina with more than 300 berths, and a modern service center. The vision of the project is to create a new nautical center in the south of Croatia and additionally position the Neretva valley as an attractive nautical destination. The marina will not only be important for Croatia Yachting, but also for the entire region through the creation of new jobs, development of the local economy and increase in tourist activity.

This project is a natural continuation of our strategy of vertical business integration, because in addition to charter, boat sales, management and service, we also want to develop our own modern nautical infrastructure.

What are your comments on the present market situation?

Today, Croatia is still the largest bareboat charter destinations in the Mediterranean, but the market is also undergoing significant changes. Competition is greater than ever, guests are more informed, and expectations are growing year by year.

On the other hand, I see a great opportunity in this. Clients today are not only looking for a vessel, but a complete experience. Quality of service, personalization, digital availability and reliability are becoming more important than price alone.

The segment of luxury yachts, catamarans and crewed charter services is growing particularly strongly. At the same time, the industry must continue to invest in sustainability, the quality of the infrastructure and the protection of the Adriatic, because without a preserved sea, there is no long-term development of nautical industry.

Which boats would you suggest our readers should seriously consider?

If I had to single out a few models that best represent the quality of our offer and the direction in which modern boating is heading, I would focus on vessels that offer guests a superb combination of comfort, performance and the overall experience at sea.

Among the catamarans, I would definitely single out the Bali 5.2, one of the newest and most attractive models in the Bali line. This catamaran represents the ideal combination of luxury, functionality and innovative design for which Bali is recognizable. Its greatest advantage is the exceptional amount of living space, the Bali "open space" that connects the indoor and outdoor zones, and the large front cockpit with a counter that gives guests a completely new experience of being at sea.

As the market is increasingly turning to larger and more luxurious catamarans, we are following with great interest, the arrival of the new Bali 7.0 model, which should set new standards in the luxury catamaran segment. This is a vessel that brings a level of space, equipment and privacy mostly associated with multi-million-dollar motor yachts.

In the sailing yacht segment, I would especially highlight the Hanse 590, their flagship, and one of the most impressive sailing yachts in its category, with top performance, easy handling, elegant design and exceptional comfort. Thanks to its spacious deck with 2 sundecks, unique cockpit layout, spacious interior and advanced control systems, it is  attractive to both experienced sailors and guests who want a luxurious cruising experience.

When it comes to motor yachts, I would especially highlight the Fjord 41 XL. In recent years, Fjord has become synonymous with modern Scandinavian design and top performance. The 41 XL model offers exceptional functionality, spacious sunny areas and an attractive appearance that attracts guests looking for a dynamic and luxurious vacation.

In the premium segment of motor vessels, I would also like to point out the Sealine F430. A model that combines the comfort of a cruiser with the characteristics of a luxury yacht. Thanks to its large panoramic surfaces, elegant interior and excellent use of space, it is highly sought after by clients who want privacy, comfort and multi-day cruises.

What are your plans for the future?

My long-term vision is to build a technologically advanced, internationally competitive and fully integrated nautical business that combines charter, yacht sales, charter management, service activities, digital platforms and own marine infrastructure.

We will continue to invest in fleet development, strengthening the luxury segment, digitalization of processes and international expansion. We already operate through related companies abroad, and our goal is to further increase our presence in key markets.

I especially believe in the further development of the charter management model, which enables boat owners to professionally manage their assets, while providing guests with top quality service.

We want to remain at the forefront of innovation in Croatian nautical and continue to raise industry standards through technology, service quality and long-term sustainable growth.