Dalmatian Bus Station: Tourism or Endless Improvisation?
If you’ve ever traveled from Supetar to Zagreb, you know it’s no ordinary trip. Ivana Marković, the SDP mayor of Supetar, described her journey on Facebook, and it sounded more like an epic struggle than a simple trip. The plane from Brač? Sold out to the last seat. Ferry and bus? Five hours of travel through crowds, stress, and chaos that have become the norm.
The Bus Station as a Mirror of Dalmatia
Supetar’s port is already crowded in the morning, and only three ferries keep the line running tirelessly. In Split, the bus station is a true metaphor for Dalmatian tourism – garbage, betting shops, broken glass, the smell of greasy fast food, and tension everywhere. Counters are crowded, and staff are often hostile to travelers seeking information. All this at one of the busiest places in a tourist country that had 20 million overnight stays last year.
Tourism That Exhausts, Not Develops
Marković points out that the problem runs deeper than infrastructure alone. Tourism is used as an excuse, while real strategy and investment are missing. We lack enough boats, roads, bus stations, and the system cannot withstand the seasonal pressure. This is the result of political decisions, privatization processes, and lack of vision. Dalmatia in summer becomes good for everyone, but no one invests in it – they only take from it.
Season as Improvisation
Every year, islanders, workers, and citizens have to cope with the chaos that has become normal. The bus station in Split is not just a place of departure and arrival but a symbol of a space that is an unfinished modernization, where gentrification and industrial decline leave deep marks. Tourism is here, but is it the tourism we want? Or just a seasonal improvisation that exhausts people and resources?
What Next?
While political elites play their games, ordinary people remain trapped in a system that doesn’t work. Real strategy, investment, and responsibility are needed. Dalmatia deserves better – not just for tourists but for its citizens.
If you’ve ever experienced a similar adventure on the road, you know what we’re talking about. And if you haven’t, maybe it’s time to ask yourself – is this really tourism or just a seasonal farce? Share your stories, because there’s room here for both laughs and tears.
