Dubrovnik has always been a prominent tourist destination. The city is about 1,400 years old; and its ancient buildings and Adriatic Sea have attracted travelers from all over the globe for years. The local atmosphere has also drawn attention of Game of Thrones creators. Many scenes of the HBO original series were filmed in Dubrovnik's medieval promenade and old houses. The series brought a huge flow of tourists and gave the Croatian town a headache. The city hardly withstands such a wave of visitors.
When Game of Thrones just started gaining in popularity, Dubrovnik's Major Andro Vlahushich said he could not wait for the moment when the series would make the resort a tourist center like New Zealand where the Lord of the Rings had been filmed. That is why, Dubrovnik's authorities offered use of the old town for free to HBO.
Dubrovnik's stunning views were also noticed by Disney filming Star Wars: Episode VIII there.
Andro Vlahushich's expectations came true. The city became probably too popular among travelers and Game of Thrones' fans. Tourists complain about a lack of overnight accommodations; and citizens, about traffic congestion.
Interestingly, experts believe that tourism in Dubrovnik has not reached its peak yet. The city's authorities have to think over the accommodation issue. The town is densely built-up with old houses, and the locals do not have spacious apartments to welcome foreigners.
The paradox is that tourists complain about ongoing filming. Visitors say that the film and series makers prevent them from enjoying Dubrovnik's views.
However, boosting touristic demand was important for Dubrovnik as the state has recently escaped from a six-year recession. Tourism makes up a one-sixth part of the country's economy.
Dubrovnik is struggling to meet tourists' needs and expectations, and it fails to keep up with visitors' inflow. The situation is worsened by the fact that the city of Dubrovnik is on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites.
Economic inequality remains one of the most pressing issues in today's world. To measure the gap between the rich and the poor in each country, the Gini index is used. This coefficient reflects how income is distributed within a society: the closer the index is to 100, the greater the inequality. Let's explore which countries currently have the highest Gini index values
This year has been pivotal for Bitcoin, the world's leading cryptocurrency. One of the key milestones was the approval of Bitcoin spot ETFs by the US Securities and Exchange Commission. In April 2024, Bitcoin also experienced a halving event, which is typically seen as a positive development for the digital asset. This year, the cryptocurrency is up 57%, and analysts remain optimistic about its future. However, they highlight four key factors that could influence Bitcoin's trajectory, both for better and for worse
Analytical periodical US News and World Report has presented its ranking of the best countries in the world in terms of quality of life, based on a survey of nearly 17,000 people. The list considers factors such as economic and political stability, a strong labor market, income equality, family-friendliness, safety, the quality of education, and healthcare systems. Let's find out which countries made it to the top of this list.
