CroDakarTeam and the leading figures of the ASO group (Amaury Sport Organisation), at the initiative of driver Daniel Šaškin, presented the idea of launching the race from Zagreb.
This is, by the way, one of the ten most-watched sporting events in the world. The Rally Dakar is being held this year in Argentina and Chile, and it achieved exceptional success last year. In Argentina alone, there were 3.1 million viewers, and the country made a profit of 126.3 million euros. Leaders of the Argentine Ministry of Tourism stated that this was the most successful tourist investment ever.
ASO leaders were interested in having the race start from Zagreb in 2011, however, this lucrative opportunity fell through, mostly because the government and relevant ministries did not recognize the chance to multiply their investment and promote Croatia for free. Members of CroDakarTeam refuse to accept defeat and will continue to try to bring the prestigious competition to Croatia. To hold the race start in Zagreb, around two million euros is needed. The City of Zagreb has offered five million kuna and infrastructure at its disposal.
‘The benefits of holding such a spectacular event are truly numerous. If we managed to organize the race, it would mean five to fifteen thousand people staying for five days in mostly empty Zagreb hotels since the Dakar rally takes place in January. We must also keep in mind that these are very wealthy guests who spend a lot of money,’ said Daniel Šaškin. According to him, if the government or the Ministry of Tourism invested the necessary funds, the investment would be covered solely from the VAT on the fuel they would consume on that journey. (Zlatko Salahović)
