Mayor Franković, in an interview with the British media outlet, presented the measures the City has implemented to tackle the challenges of mass tourism, which are now serving as an example for other historic destinations.
On Monday, August 10, 2026, Dubrovnik received strong international validation of its tourism strategy. The British Daily Express, a media outlet that reaches 69 percent of the UK's online population monthly, published an extensive article highlighting the Croatian city as an example of successful destination management under the pressure of global popularity.
The occasion was an interview given by Mayor Mato Franković to journalist Emily Wright, who specializes in world and tourism topics. In the conversation, he presented the concrete tools the City uses to maintain a balance between tourism development and the daily lives of residents, as announced by the City of Dubrovnik.
The article particularly analyzes Dubrovnik's journey from the moment the series "Game of Thrones" triggered a sudden surge in visitor numbers. Instead of succumbing to chaos, the city administration turned this challenge into an impetus for introducing systematic and long-term sustainable management measures.
The author details several key projects in the article. These include the "Respect the City" project, a sophisticated system for managing cruise ship arrivals and traffic congestion, and the use of real-time data to regulate pressure on the historic core. According to the Daily Express, these measures have resulted in significant progress in preserving cultural heritage and the quality of life for citizens.
The article's particular weight lies in the fact that Dubrovnik's experience is presented not merely as a local story, but as a model that can be applied by other historic and tourist-popular destinations facing similar challenges. Mayor Franković emphasized the importance of finding a balance between tourism development, heritage protection, and the interests of the local population.
The Daily Express is part of Reach plc, the largest commercial news publisher in the United Kingdom and Ireland, which publishes a range of leading British media brands. Publication in such an influential outlet further confirms Dubrovnik's international visibility and its leadership position in responsible tourism.
