Former Croatian international opens luxury hotel in Herzegovina
- by croatiaweek
- in Business
Nikica Jelavić second from left at the opening (Photo: Hotel President)
Former Rangers, Everton and Croatia International Nikica Jelavić has hung up his boots and moved into the tourism business.
Jelavić has opened the luxury Hotel President in his hometown of Čapljina in Bosnia and Herzegovina on Friday with his friend and now business partner Goran Suško.
The hotel was built near the road leading to Croatia and the Adriatic Sea, and not far from popular tourist spots Medjugorje and Mostar.
The opening of the hotel on Friday was the topic of the day in Herzegovina as it is considered the most prestigious and luxurious hotel now in Herzegovina. The hotel has 70 beds, a restaurant, cafe, swimming pool and much more.
“I’m busy with daily commitments around the hotel, but nothing is too hard for me. I’m used to work and sweat and I’m glad that everything is going as it should, I’m happy that everything turned out as me and my business partner and friend Goran Suško imagined. Now we have daily work ahead of us to maintain the initial level and raise it even better, to develop the business so that our guests come and go with a smile on their face and a desire to come again,” Jelavić told Sportske novosti, before adding.
“I was born here, I started the world of football from here and in my soul I felt obliged to one day return, at least something, to my homeland. Here, about thirty new jobs will be created.”
Jelavić ended his career at Zagreb-based club NK Lokomotiva earlier this year. Jelavić scored six goals for Croatia in his 36 appearances during 2009-2014. After starting his career at Hajduk Split, Jelavić went on to play for Rapid Wien, Glasgow Rangers, Everton, Hull City, West Ham, Beijing Renhe, Guizhou Zhicheng and NK Lokomotiva.
