‘Crazy’ Tourism Business Becomes Hit

What started off as an idea that many said would never work and even labeled ‘crazy’, has turned into a very successful tourism business for one Croatian company. Thanks to their unique red semi-submarines which operate up and down Croatia’s Adriatic coast, Agena Marina from Biograda na moru have just hit their first million…

The company’s semi-submarines have become a hit over the last couple of years on the coast, with the company turning over more than 1 million kuna (130,000 euros) profit last year. Agena Marina have sold 25 of their semi-submarines to nearly all major tourist destinations along the coast from Umag in the north to Dubrovnik in the south. The red semi-submarines may look like a real submarine, only they do not submerge. They have been extremely popular among tourists, especially for families with small children. Passengers can either sit on the deck or in an underwater cabin with large clear glass windows where they have an unforgettable view of the marine flora and fauna. Day tours last 45 minutes, whilst night tours take half an hour.

“When we sell a boat it is important that it goes to a location where it will do well. You could say we choose our customers. One part works like a franchise, but when we sell a boat it does not generate any more money for us, and the owner takes over,” Mladen Pehard from Agena Marina, whose motto is “We are not selling you a boat, but a business” explained to Tportal, adding that each semi-submarine costs 110,000 euros (ex VAT).

Agena Marina plan to sell another 10 boats in Croatia, before trying to break into the overseas market. They have already had requests from exotic locations such as the Caribbean and the Seychelles. (pic: tzg-biograd.hr)