Ministers give Mali Losinj former military barracks, money to renovate lugger

State Assets Minister Goran Maric and Tourism Minister Gari Cappelli on Monday signed a grant agreement for a project to renovate Losinj luggers and presented the town of Mali Losinj on Losinj island with a decision gifting a former military barracks to the town.

The Nerezinac Lugger is one of 46 development projects chosen by the Tourism Ministry this year for co-financing with a grant. It envisages the renovation of the last, 120-year-old Losinj lugger and its use in an open air interpretation centre to be set up at the Apoxyomenos Museum in Mali Losinj at the end of 2018.

The project is worth HRK 2.1 million, of which HRK 695,999 will come from the Tourism Ministry, the town said, adding that the boat is over 16 metres long and has two masts.

During the agreement signing, Cappelli said "the public tourism infrastructure is an integral part of the overall tourism offer of every destination, so it's important to continuously enhance it."

Investments in beaches, visitor centres, and cycling, riding and walking paths additionally motivate tourists to visit, which is essential for the development of year-round tourism, Cappelli said. "Through this programme we wish to heighten the impression and attractiveness of destinations, and thereby their competitiveness."

He was also pleased with the decision with which Minister Maric presented Mali Losinj mayor Ana Kucic on gifting a former local military barracks for the Sea Science Centre, a joint project of the town and the Blue World Institute.

"The Sea Science Centre is a project combining interdisciplinary science, scientific culture and education for the promotion of sustainable development and the inclusion of the broadest community in the dialogue on the preservation of the natural heritage and the environment. It also serves for improving citizens' quality of life, promotes scientific innovations and supports economic development, notably by creating quality tourism products and by supporting tourism development," the town said.

The aim is for the Centre to become a regional centre of excellence which will enable research and the specialisation of students and researchers from the whole Adriatic and Mediterranean region.

(Hina)

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