October 3, 2024
Valamar Riviera as it stands today has been developing and growing on the Croatian market for 70 years. Its development consists of several stages, against the backdrop of social and political changes, tourism and hospitality development and continuous evolution of its business strategy to address global trends in the hotel industry.
1895 Bagno Parentino – beginnings of tourism in Poreč
1910 Hotel Riviera was opened – after which the company was named
The development of tourism along the Croatian Adriatic coast in all Valamar’s destinations – Rabac, Krk, Rab, Makarska, Hvar, Dubrovnik.
In 1953, by the Municipality of Poreč’s decision, the hospitality company Riviera is founded
It manages hotels, bungalows, and restaurants in Poreč and on the island of Sveti Nikola, with 198 beds and around 20 employees
The development of tourism on the Adriatic coast begins. The two largest hospitality companies are founded in Poreč.
Intensive construction 1967-1979 – the most dynamic period in the development of tourism activities and intensive construction of hotels, apartments, and campsites:
1967 Hotel and apartments Luna
1968 Hotel Neptun, Apartment complex Lanterna
1969 Hotel Pinus Tamaris
1971 Hotel Rubin, Hotel Kristal
1972 Camping Turist (Orsera)
1974 Camping Lanterna – the largest campsite in Croatia, Kamping Solaris
1976 Hotel Zagreb (Parentino), Hotel Diamant
1977 Camping Istra
1979 Hotel Pical – the first hotel of the highest category in Poreč
1986 Hotel Fortuna on the Island of Sveti Nikola Riviera becomes one of the most significant tourist companies in Croatia
The times of privatization and ownership transformation of the tourism companies
Dom fond takes over Riviera and other tourism companies
Introduction of the first brands of hotels and campsites: Valamar Hotels&Resorts and Camping on the Adriatic
Valamar hoteli i ljetovališta management company is founded and begins operating the tourism portfolio in Poreč, Rabac, on the island of Krk and in Dubrovnik
Raising the quality of facilities and the level of services
2006 the Maro mascot is born
2009 Valamar Lacroma Resort in Dubrovnik is built
Completed mergers and acquisitions for portfolio consolidation
2011 Zlatni otok d.d. and Rabac d.d.
2013 Dubrovnik-Babin kuk d.d.
Valamar Adria holding d.d. and Valamar group d.d.
In December 2014, the company named Valamar Riviera d.d. is officially listed on the Zagreb Stock Exchange market
Over five years, Valamar doubles its financial results and company value through portfolio investments, acquisitions, and operational efficiency. The company becomes a leader in Croatian tourism and begins international expansion.
ACQUISITIONS:
2015 Hoteli Baška d.d.
2015 Opening of the Valamar Isabella Island Resort 4/5*
2016 Imperial d.d. in partnership with AZ fund
2016 – 2018 Investments in Camping Lanterna 4*
2017 Repositioning of Rabac destination to 4*
Construction of the largest tourist complex on the Adriatic, Valamar Girandella Resort and Family Life Bellevue Resort
2018 Hoteli Makarska d.d. in partnership with AZ funds
2018 Valamar’s first breakthrough outside Croatia – acquisition and start of operations in Obertauern, Austria
2018 Valamar Meteor Hotel 4* in Makarska, Baška Beach Camping Resort, Valamar Argosy Hotel
2019 Merger of Hoteli Makarska and Rab’s Imperial – Imperial Riviera d.d. is founded
2019 Acquisition of Helios Faros on the island of Hvar in partnership with PBZ CO pension funds
2019 Valamar Parentino Hotel (ex-Zagreb) repositioning and upgrading
Opening of the Istra Premium Camping Resort 5* – one of the top campsites in Europe
2019 Ježevac Premium Camping Resort, Valamar Carolina Resort, Valamar Padova Hotel
2019 Valamar Collection Marea Suites 5* – the most successful Valamar hotel
Development of service concepts:
Grano Duro, La Pentola, Mezzino, Balance, V Sport, Val Beach, The Beat and other
Continued investment and development of new products and service concepts: [PLACES], Sunny
Acquisition and completion of investments in Obertauern: Kesselspitze Collection Hotel, Valamar Obertauern Hotel and Obertauern [PLACES] Hotel
2020 Covid-19 and geopolitical crisis
2021 Opening of the first Hvar [PLACES] Hotel
2022 Opening of the second Dalmacija [PLACES] Hotel
2022 Adoption of Valamar’s comprehensive
sustainability (ESG) strategy
2022 Construction of Valamar Amicor Green
Resort in Stari Grad on Island of Hvar
2023 Reconstruction of Valamar Tirena Hotel and
construction of Maro World
2023 More than 8,000 employees across 36 hotels and
resorts, and in 15 campsites
2024 Continued investment in Pical Resort 5* in Poreč,
the largest tourism investment in Croatia
2024 Beginning of construction of Arba Resort 4* on
the Island of Rab
2024 Completion of renovations of three hotels
under the Sunny by Valamar brand
2024 Adoption of the business strategy through 2026,
based on an investment plan valued at EUR 450
million
2025 Opening of Arba Resort 4*, Valamar Collection
on the Island of Rab, the largest investment to
date by Valamar and the AZ Pension Fund in Imperial
2025 Pical Resort 5*, Valamar Collection, in an advanced stage of construction and fit-out, the most
significant project in Croatian tourism, valued at
over EUR 200 million
