Page 66 - Koderman, Miha, and Vuk Tvrtko Opačić. Eds. 2020. Challenges of tourism development in protected areas of Croatia and Slovenia. Koper, Zagreb: University of Primorska Press, Croatian Geographical Society
P. 66
challenges of tourism development in protected areas of croatia and slovenia
The greatest population in the area of the Town of Drniš (19,538) was
recorded in 19618, followed by a period of intense depopulation, both in
Drniš and the wider region of Dalmatinska Zagora. Depopulation was pri-
marily the consequence of strong out-migration towards main urban cen-
tres in the coastal zone or the capital (Zagreb), and of an increase in em-
ployment abroad. The population of the town Drniš itself, however, grew
until 1991, when its peak population (4,653) was recorded; but only a small
number of the out-migrating population of surrounding rural settlements
settled in Drniš, while the majority moved towards more developed region-
al centres (Radeljak, 2015). The 1991–1995 Croatian War of Independence
was strongly felt in direct and indirect demographic and economic loss-
es. In 2011, the population of the Town of Drniš was 7,498, of which 3,144
lived in the town Drniš (CBS, 2013). Out-migration and emigration have
continued in recent years, with a new wave following Croatia’s accession to
the European Union in 2013. Many rural settlements have been left with a
small population, often with an unfavourable age and education structure
(Compare: Bjelajac, 2009).
In the 1980s, i.e. the pre-War period, development of Drniš was based
on agriculture and the manufacturing industry (e.g. stone processing, tex-
tile industry, a large pig farm and prosciutto drying facility, wine produc-
tion). The war damages and loss of market, combined with issues related
to the overall transition in Croatia from a centrally-planned to a mar-
ket-based economy, followed by the economic crisis starting in 2008, all re-
sulted in economic decline. The manufacturing industry is still important
in the local economy, although it is characterised by a reduced number of
businesses with lower production levels and fewer available jobs in relation
to the situation in the 1980s. Traditional agricultural products (primarily
Drniški pršut—prosciutto from Drniš—cheese, and wine) are another im-
portant element. Contemporary Drniš can be characterised as a place with,
in words of an actor, ‘ideal parameters for living’, which should ‘promote
itself as an ideal town for raising kids’, given the general feeling of safety,
availability of a kindergarten, primary and secondary school, music school
and additional activities, its favourable location, and climate. On the other
hand, in places of similar character in Croatia ‘a perception is also created
among young people that, in reality, there is no perspective, no future’, es-
pecially related to the availability and diversity of jobs in the area.
8 According to CBS, n. d.
64
The greatest population in the area of the Town of Drniš (19,538) was
recorded in 19618, followed by a period of intense depopulation, both in
Drniš and the wider region of Dalmatinska Zagora. Depopulation was pri-
marily the consequence of strong out-migration towards main urban cen-
tres in the coastal zone or the capital (Zagreb), and of an increase in em-
ployment abroad. The population of the town Drniš itself, however, grew
until 1991, when its peak population (4,653) was recorded; but only a small
number of the out-migrating population of surrounding rural settlements
settled in Drniš, while the majority moved towards more developed region-
al centres (Radeljak, 2015). The 1991–1995 Croatian War of Independence
was strongly felt in direct and indirect demographic and economic loss-
es. In 2011, the population of the Town of Drniš was 7,498, of which 3,144
lived in the town Drniš (CBS, 2013). Out-migration and emigration have
continued in recent years, with a new wave following Croatia’s accession to
the European Union in 2013. Many rural settlements have been left with a
small population, often with an unfavourable age and education structure
(Compare: Bjelajac, 2009).
In the 1980s, i.e. the pre-War period, development of Drniš was based
on agriculture and the manufacturing industry (e.g. stone processing, tex-
tile industry, a large pig farm and prosciutto drying facility, wine produc-
tion). The war damages and loss of market, combined with issues related
to the overall transition in Croatia from a centrally-planned to a mar-
ket-based economy, followed by the economic crisis starting in 2008, all re-
sulted in economic decline. The manufacturing industry is still important
in the local economy, although it is characterised by a reduced number of
businesses with lower production levels and fewer available jobs in relation
to the situation in the 1980s. Traditional agricultural products (primarily
Drniški pršut—prosciutto from Drniš—cheese, and wine) are another im-
portant element. Contemporary Drniš can be characterised as a place with,
in words of an actor, ‘ideal parameters for living’, which should ‘promote
itself as an ideal town for raising kids’, given the general feeling of safety,
availability of a kindergarten, primary and secondary school, music school
and additional activities, its favourable location, and climate. On the other
hand, in places of similar character in Croatia ‘a perception is also created
among young people that, in reality, there is no perspective, no future’, es-
pecially related to the availability and diversity of jobs in the area.
8 According to CBS, n. d.
64
