As the largest marina chain in the Mediterranean, ACI was instrumental in turning Croatia into one of the most desirable nautical destination in the Mediterranean
Today, Croatia rightly holds the title of one of the most attractive countries on the world nautical map, thanks to the large number of islands, exquisite natural beauty, favorable climate and rich historical and cultural heritage that abounds on its coast and islands.
The success of Croatian tourism flourishes thanks to experience and skills that allow maximum utilization of the country’s natural resources and their combining into a unique tourist offer that attracts yachting enthusiast from all over the world.
ACI d.d., the largest marina chain in the Mediterranean and a regional leader in nautical tourism, is synonymous with such knowledge and experience.
Thanks to this national nautical chain, Croatia has become a top nautical destination, and this year ACI are celebrating their big jubilee – 40 years in the business.
The visionary idea of a national chain of marinas became reality on July 1, 1983, when the boldness, innovative spirit and visionary approach of Veljko Barbieri turned into chain of nautical tourism ports.
Veljko Barbieri and Ante Marković have turned that vision concrete in the ‘Program of Hope’, which offered the development of modern nautical tourism as we know it today. To make their project happen, they gathered the most expert team they could find, made of friends, professional, sailing enthusiasts, economists, lawyers and builders – known today as the ‘first six’.
The first marinas were opened just one year after the mission statement, in Vodice, Jezeri and Skradin, built in just 120 days. A total of 16 marinas were built in a record time of 18 months: ACI marinas Žut, Piškera, Trogir, Milna, Palmižana, Vrboska, Pomer, Umag, Rovinj, Supetarska Draga, Pula, Rab and Split.
From the very beginning, thanks to their in-depth knowledge of the nautical world, the group built a solid connection with some famous sailing aficionados, who kept returning to ACI marinas year after year – among them, Luciano Benetton, Ottavio Missoni, Bernie Ecclestone, Cliff Richard, Armand Assante, Dutch royals and many others.
Today, ACI is the largest chain of marinas in the Mediterranean, a nautical leader and a regional leader in the green transition. The chain has 22 marinas – with the 23rd, ACI Marina Rijeka, in construction – dotted along the coast, connecting the most beautiful destinations on the Croatian side of the Adriatic, from the northernmost marina in Umag to the southernmost in Dubrovnik.
During their 40 years of striving for excellence and their love of sea, sailing and their local community, ACI have become one of the most recognizable brands in Croatia, an important player in nautical tourism and all sailing-related activities.
The company is the founder and organizer of the ACI Match Race regatta, and is the partner in the world that Nautor Swan have chosen for exclusive cooperation on their project ACI Sail – ACI marinas boast the world’s largest fleet of six ClubSwan 36 sailboats and the world’s only training center for the model, in ACI Marina Split.
As part of this project, ACI became a full member of the ClubSwan regatta league, the most prestigious nautical competition in the world. Split hosted regatta two years in the row, pushing Croatia into the prestigious company od sailing destinations like Monte Carlo, St. Tropez, Palma de Mallorca and Porto Cervo.
Although ACI proudly leads the regional green revolution, setting trends and implementing the most modern technologies, the biggest steps, they say, still lie ahead.
Text Zjena Marinković Vuković
Photos ACI, Božidar Vukičević, Petar Fabijan & Davor Žunić
