Croatian tourism is full of examples of good entrepreneurial practice, and one such example, which has come of age in Biograd na Moru over generations, is Luka Šangulin. He is the co-owner of one of the largest Croatian charter companies, with whom we talked about the beginnings of the business and the current state of the nautical sector...
When were the foundations laid for your life story in Nautica?
From an early age, life by the sea and away from the sea was deeply rooted in my family. For as long as I can remember, ships and guests, tourism, and work that required a lot of effort defined me as a worker who was taught to fight for my own success with my own hands. The name of our today's family company remains a permanent memory of our great-grandmother Angelina (Angelina Group), whom we consider the first sailing lady. She travelled from her native island of Rava to Biograd, and her life by the sea and ships was continued by my grandfather and finally by my father, who had defined it with excursion boats and tourist transport, which later became my own preoccupation. From high school in Zadar to the Faculty of Economics in Zagreb, I had one goal: to finish my education and return to my native Biograd. I used every opportunity to be at home as often as possible, and the exams at the end of the academic year had to be passed on the first attempt because there was no time for retakes.
Photo: Biograd Tourist Board
Are the early beginnings often forgotten?
Instant earnings and focusing solely on money is bad for our society. Today, when our family company has almost 300 ships located in 15 bases, forgetting how painstaking the generational path to this success was would belittle those first steps our ancestors imprinted in today's foundations. Taking over the company from my parents after completing my studies was challenging, no matter how much momentum the job had, but the demanding market forced me to venture into unknown waters and become a kind of beginner again.
Photo: Biograd Tourist Board
How hard is it to start something new?
I remember the time when I had to drive to Germany and return in two days, looking for agents for our charter company. As a newcomer to the business, many did not want to accept me, but I was persistent and made the first contacts. With the guiding thought that we must offer the best to our guests and think of them first, the initial steps resulted in many years of experience. With our dedication to work, we have created a positive environment that recognizes our efforts, so even the pickiest sailor can find satisfaction in our marinas.
Photo: Biograd Tourist Board
Do you have time for your social life in addition to your family?
In a job that requires a lot of sacrifice, I try to balance work tasks with family life. My wife and three children recognize the importance of our family work. Along with my dedication to them, I try to make a difference in the community where I live and create. I believe that sometimes we have to break away from work and allow social life to change in a positive way. As someone who was actively involved in water polo, I decided to give our children the opportunity to express themselves through physical activity, in line with the work I do. This led to the establishment of the Sailing Club "Briva" and a sailing school, which was unheard of before. With the organization of the first regattas and the training of the first sailors, I believe that Biograd has a bright sailing future. Upcoming competitions will put Biograd alongside famous competition centers. Sports sailing relaxes me and helps me "recharge my batteries." Recently, I participated in the Melges 24 class World Championship in Denmark and made many new friends.
Photo: Biograd Tourist Board
Are the guests' preferences changing?
One time, I went for ice cream with my children and noticed a guest on a boat who was not properly secured. A person can ignore this fact or point it out to the guest to prevent potential problems later. We have to create a relationship full of trust with the guest because we must remember how they chose us and decided to spend perhaps the most precious time of the year here. Our local people are often tempted to view guests through the lens of money, which is very dangerous. Moderation is extremely important, and a guest looking for top-notch service should be reciprocated in the same way. Behavior at sea is similar to behavior on the road, and I believe most sailors follow these rules.
Photo: Biograd Tourist Board
What are the trends in the nautical market?
The pandemic and the war in Ukraine shook the nautical market, affecting the number of tourists from Poland and Russia. Traditional sailors from distant countries like the USA and Australia are slowly returning to the Adriatic Sea. On the other hand, there are many non-nautical guests who want to enjoy our coast without any obligations. It is important to emphasize that environmental awareness among sailors is increasing. They now have more acceptable options for loading and unloading in marinas, and it is not uncommon to see sailors keeping their waste in bags and properly disposing of it upon arrival on shore. Croatia certainly has room for tourism development, but it should align with our traditional values and human dignity.
Photo: Biograd Tourist Board
Thank you for the conversation, and we wish you, your family, and your native Biograd much success!