An Invitation to Discover One of the World’s Most Extraordinary Destinations
A Special Message to Our TRUE Travel Advisor Community
At CCRA, we are always looking for ways to introduce our TRUE travel advisors to exciting destinations, trusted supplier partners, and new opportunities to grow their businesses. One destination that continues to capture the attention of travelers worldwide is Croatia, a country celebrated for its breathtaking Adriatic coastline, rich history, extraordinary culture, and exceptional travel experiences.
Recently, Peter E. Pincus, CTC, Chief Commercial Officer of CCRA, returned from an extensive journey through Croatia, where he also had the honor of delivering the keynote address at the prestigious Tourism 365 international conference in Zagreb.
What began as an opportunity to connect with international tourism leaders became an unforgettable experience that left Peter with a remarkable appreciation for Croatia and its tremendous potential for the travel advisor community.
In the following personal account, Peter shares his firsthand impressions, exciting developments involving new Croatian supplier partnerships, educational opportunities for TRUE advisors, and the possibility of a special CCRA travel advisor FAM trip in 2027.
We invite our TRUE travel advisors to take a few minutes to read Peter’s inspiring message and discover why Croatia deserves a place at the top of your list of destinations to experience, learn about, and recommend to your clients.
A Personal Message from Peter E. Pincus, CTC
Chief Commercial Officer | CCRA
Dear Travel Advisors,
I have just returned from an extraordinary two-week journey through Croatia, and I must tell you that, after a lifetime of traveling around the world, both personally and professionally, I have rarely been as impressed by a destination as I was by Croatia.
Let me begin with the reason for my visit.
I had the tremendous honor of being invited to deliver the keynote address at the 10th anniversary of Tourism 365, an exceptional three-day international tourism conference held in Zagreb.
The event brought together an extraordinary gathering of tourism leaders, including the Ministers of Tourism of Croatia and Slovenia, along with senior government officials and prominent tourism executives. The discussions focused on the future of tourism over the next decade, and I found the exchange of ideas, perspectives, and strategies both fascinating and inspiring.
I cannot say enough about the outstanding organization of this event, particularly the extraordinary work of Ms. Ivana Kolar, whose vision and dedication were evident in every aspect of the conference. The program also included an extremely productive B2B session, creating valuable opportunities for meaningful business relationships.
I am especially pleased to share that CCRA has been invited to partner with Tourism 365 for its 2027 event, an invitation we enthusiastically intend to accept. I believe this partnership represents an important opportunity to further strengthen CCRA’s international presence and associate our brand with one of the most respected tourism gatherings in the region.
And there is more exciting news!
We are exploring the possibility of organizing a special CCRA travel advisor FAM trip to Croatia in 2027, coinciding with Tourism 365. Our hope is to make this an all-inclusive experience for qualifying advisors. Naturally, there will be certain participation requirements, but I look forward to sharing more details as our plans develop.
Now, Let Me Tell You About Croatia!
Over the course of my career, I have been fortunate enough to visit many countries around the world. Almost every destination has left me with memories of one or two particularly beautiful places.
Croatia was different.
Everywhere I went, I discovered something spectacular. Every city, every village, every stretch of coastline seemed to offer another unforgettable experience.
I cannot recall another country where virtually every place I visited made such a lasting impression on me.
The dramatic beauty of the Adriatic coastline, stretching from north to south, is almost impossible to describe. The crystal-clear waters, magnificent islands, historic towns, charming harbors, and extraordinary landscapes combine to create a destination unlike any other.
And then there is the history! Centuries of culture, architecture, and tradition are beautifully preserved throughout the country.
One of Croatia’s greatest advantages is that it is not simply a summer destination. It is generally pleasant climate during the shoulder seasons makes it especially attractive for travel from April through November, allowing your clients to enjoy much of the country without the crowds of peak summer.
Croatia also offers an incredible variety of experiences, from luxury hotels and charming independent properties to private yacht excursions, intimate small-ship cruises, and island-hopping adventures.
I had the pleasure of spending a day cruising along the Adriatic, and I can assure you that it was an unforgettable experience.
Why Every Travel Advisor Should Be Selling Croatia
Let me make a very personal recommendation.
If you have never visited Croatia, please put it high on your travel list. And if you are not yet actively recommending Croatia to your clients, I strongly encourage you to begin doing so.
I firmly believe that Croatia represents an outstanding opportunity not only to attract new clients but also to generate repeat business and referrals.
Your clients will thank you for introducing them to this extraordinary destination.
Equally important, I was tremendously impressed by the professionalism of the Croatian tourism industry.
During my visit, I met with numerous destination management companies, hotel operators, independent properties, and tourism organizations.
The quality of their products, their attention to detail, the reliability of their transportation services, the punctuality of their operations, and their commitment to delivering exceptional experiences were truly impressive.
These are precisely the qualities that give travel advisors confidence when recommending a destination to their most valued clients.
I am also delighted to report that several new Croatian suppliers have joined the CCRA/ABC network, including beautiful independent hotels, established hotel brands, and exceptional destination management companies offering a remarkable variety of travel experiences.
These new relationships will create additional opportunities for you to develop exciting itineraries and memorable experiences for your clients.
Become a Croatia Travel Specialist!
Over the next 12 months, we will be offering a series of educational webinars and promotional opportunities designed to help you better understand Croatia and everything it has to offer.
I strongly encourage you to participate.
Learn about the different regions, discover the hotels and resorts, meet the local DMCs, explore the cruise and yachting opportunities, and become knowledgeable about the destination.
The more you know about Croatia, the more confidently you can sell it.
I intend to personally participate in these webinars whenever possible, and I welcome your questions, comments, and ideas. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me directly.
And if you have not yet watched the latest promotional video showcasing Croatia, I encourage you to take a few minutes to do so. The images speak for themselves, although I can assure you that seeing the country in person is even more impressive.
A Final Personal Thought
I realize that my enthusiasm may be a little overwhelming, but I hope you will forgive me!
After so many years in this wonderful industry, it takes something truly special to surprise me.
Croatia did exactly that.
I returned home not only with extraordinary memories but also with enormous enthusiasm for the opportunities this destination represents for our travel advisor network.
I cannot wait to return, and I sincerely hope that many of you will have the opportunity to experience Croatia for yourselves.
In the meantime, I look forward to continuing our conversations, introducing you to our new Croatian partners, and sharing more exciting news about our plans for 2027.
And since Thanksgiving is just around the corner, let me take this opportunity to wish you and your families a wonderful, happy, and healthy Thanksgiving.
Thank you for being part of the CCRA family, and I look forward to seeing many of you very soon.
Peter E. Pincus, CTC
Chief Commercial Officer