The Croatian Charter Association was founded in Biograd with the aim of standardizing business operations and strengthening the industry's common voice

• 24.10.2025.
• News

The Croatian charter industry has gained a new collective voice. During the Biograd Boat Show on October 23, the founding session of the Croatian Charter Association (UCH) was held – first independent association of charter companies outside the HGK system. The goal is not merely a formal gathering, but the establishment of unified business standards, stronger collaboration among companies, and tangible steps toward a more sustainable future for the sector.

On October 23, during the Biograd Boat Show, the founding session of the new Croatian Charter Association (UCH) took place in Biograd. This marks the first independent association of yacht charter companies outside the framework of the Croatian Chamber of Economy, aiming to standardize business practices, foster stronger collaboration, and promote the long-term sustainable development of Croatian nautical tourism.

The founding companies are: Adriatic Sailing, Angelina Yachtcharter, Croatia Yachting, Dalmatia Charter, Euronautic, Euromarine, First Class Sailing, NCP Charter, Noa Yachting, Marina Hramina, and Pitter Yachtcharter, whose director Marin Katičin was elected president of the association. Hrvoje Katičić was named vice president, and Domagoj Milišić as advisor.

“We want to sit at the same table and look for solutions”

In his opening speech, Marin Katičin emphasized that the goal of the new association is to bring together all stakeholders who want to jointly raise the quality and visibility of the Croatian yacht charter product.

“We are the driving force of this industry. Hundreds of other businesses are tied to us, and at the same time, we are facing challenges – from seasonal employment to relations with marinas and agencies. We want more collaboration, more openness, and more dialogue among us,” said Katičin.

He particularly emphasized the need to standardize yacht charter contracts with agencies, introduce order into general business conditions, and improve the regulation of seasonal employment. “We are not talking about a monopoly, but about quality that must be branded and recognized,” he added.

 

“We all share the same problems – both small and large”

Throughout the conference, it was repeatedly emphasized that the association is not intended as a competitor to HGK, but rather as an additional tool for faster, more expert, and more professional communication with the market and institutions.

“Whether you have five or five hundred boats, the problems are the same: business sustainability, price pressure, uneven terms with agents. The goal is to find solutions together,” said Domagoj Milišić of Croatia Yachting.

The association’s plan also includes hiring a professional director to manage operations and represent the sector before public institutions. These matters, along with the membership fee and how to join the association, will be addressed in the coming period, and the public will be informed via the association’s upcoming website and other communication channels.

 

Questions from the audience: HGK, small yacht harter companies, and blacklists of agents

During the Q&A session, three key questions from the audience sparked a discussion:

• What will happen with the existing association within HGK?
• How will the new association protect the interests of small yacht charter companies?
• Will blacklists of irresponsible agents and guests be introduced?

Katičin responded:
“We are all members of HGK and that will not change. The new association does not replace HGK but aims to support it - more quickly, more concretely, and through a professional structure. As for small yacht charter operators, everyone is welcome. The number of boats is not the benchmark, but rather the willingness to adhere to standards.”

Following the question about small and large yacht charter companies, Luka Šangulin from Angelina Yachtcharter also addressed the issue of marinas and the unequal conditions that charter companies face compared to private boat owners. As he pointed out, charters often pay the same commercial rates but do not have access to discounts, parking, or other benefits that private owners enjoy.

Precisely because of this, he emphasized, the new association plans to jointly represent the interests of the sector before marinas and institutions, through a professional representative who will speak on behalf of all members, regardless of their size.
“The goal is to create a body that will speak openly and argumentatively about real issues, from relations with marinas to market practices where bookings are purchased at half price only after prices drop. These are situations that affect both large and small yacht charter companies,” Šangulin concluded.

The audience also brought up the issue of “blacklists” of irresponsible agents and guests, which was met with approval by those present. One participant, a representative of Kroki Charter, recalled cases where yacht charter companies suffered losses due to unpaid commissions and unregulated relationships.

“Why shouldn’t we have an early warning system? If there is an agent who does not pay or a guest who destroys a boat, that should be known to everyone in the industry. These measures protect both small and large players,” he said.

“It’s time we take responsibility ourselves”

In conclusion, Katičin reiterated that the Croatian charter sector has upheld high standards for decades and that these must be communicated more clearly.

“The Croatian yacht charter product is of world-class quality. It’s time we recognize that and take responsibility ourselves for the direction we are heading in. We are open to everyone who shares that goal.”

In the same spirit, Katarina Vujević Babara from Euronautica emphasized that this new association is not merely a formal alliance, but a joint step toward real change through concrete action.

The founding session ended with a call to all yacht charter companies to join the association and contribute to the creation of a more structured, transparent, and sustainable system.

Location: Biograd Boat Show 2025 – charter.hr covered the event on the ground.

 

 

 

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