A Jack Nicklaus golf course is currently being built at Porto Mariccio (west coast, above Pula, Istria) and will be a major part of a new development that will include a hotel, executive holiday apartments, and other facilities according to a report on hotel-online.com.

The Croatian government is particularly interested in hearing from investors with a multiple-approach, such as golf courses combined with hotels or other facilities. The most advanced tourist region, Istria, still has many opportunities for partnerships with part-started or planned golf courses it reported.

Plans are afoot for 23 golf courses in Croatia out of which 14 are planned for Istria. They are found not just in popular areas on or near the coast, but also inland, in flat areas such as the valley below the Motovun hilltop village, a well-known tourist attraction and close to the major road from Trieste (Italy) to the main Istrian towns.

Denis Ivoševic, Head of Tourism in Istria, says that some of the 14 courses are between planning and development stage, but that anyone interested in discussing a well-planned proposition to complete them is welcome to discuss the matter. This is because the Ministry of Tourism in Croatia sees these developments as crucial to the country’s future.

A consortium is helping to develop golf ideas, so that there is a cohesive approach. The consortium members comprise the city or municipality where the development has been planned, the Ministry of Tourism, and the investor. In Istria an additional 8 golf courses are hoped for, making 22 in total. Most are 18 holes, with a maximum of 27.

Report by Chitra Mogul

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