New hotel and business hub planned at Zagreb Airport
- by croatiaweek
- in Business
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Zagreb Airport
Zagreb Airport is gearing up for significant expansion in the coming years, with a strong focus on infrastructure development and additional services.
Ranko Ilić, director of Zagreb Airport, has told Poslovni dnevnik that one of the key projects is the construction of an airport hotel, aiming to enhance the overall passenger experience and align the airport with global trends.
Zagreb Airport operates as a holding company, overseeing the concessionaire of Franjo Tuđman Airport.
With passenger numbers reaching a record 4.3 million in 2024, the need for expanded facilities has become evident. The planned airport hotel is seen as the first step towards developing a broader Airport City concept, which would later include office spaces, a conference centre, and other amenities.
The hotel, with an estimated investment of €40 million, is set to feature 172 rooms and a commercial centre. However, the final project could be adjusted based on investor needs. The hotel’s maximum capacity is set at 500 beds, ensuring flexibility in its design and function.
The construction will follow a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model, where the investor secures a 50-year building right, with an option to extend for another 49 years.
After this period, ownership transfers to Zagreb Airport without additional costs, Ilić told Poslovni dnevnik.
While the tender is international, Zagreb Airport anticipates interest mainly from investors already active in Croatia. A key requirement is that the hotel be affiliated with a recognised international airport hotel brand, ensuring high service standards.
Alongside the hotel, a major business and commercial centre will be built, catering to passengers and local visitors.
The public call for expressions of interest was issued last week, with a formal tender expected by late March 2025. The project site spans nearly 20,000 square metres, strategically positioned near the old passenger terminal with excellent transport links.