Dogus Group Considers Opportunities for New Investments, Especially in Shipyards

At Dogus Group, the primary focus is currently on investing in the renovation of the former Zadar factory Maraska into luxury hotel, but they are also considering other business development opportunities, with shipyards being a segment of interest, stated Burak Baykan, the regional director of the Turkish group for Croatia and Montenegro.

Baykan presented some of Dogus Group’s plans and expectations for business in Croatia this week in Zadar, where he introduced the project of converting the Maraska factory into the first Hyatt hotel in Croatia, in partnership with the Hyatt hotel chain, along with accompanying residential and commercial facilities, which are planned to open in spring 2019, with an investment of around 100 million euros.

When asked if Dogus is in the due diligence process with the companies of the NCP group, which manages companies within the Nautical Center Prgin in Šibenik, and what their plans are regarding shipyards, Baykan said that it is currently too early to provide any comments.

– We are considering various opportunities for business development and improving the quality of services we offer, and shipyards are one of the segments that interest us. Therefore, we would be very pleased if we could bring MB92, a leading company in the megayacht repair industry from Barcelona, in which Dogus Group holds a 70 percent stake, to Croatia in the future, says Baykan. In addition to the shipyard segment, he notes that as part of considering new opportunities for business expansion, they are also thinking about suitable locations to bring some of their restaurant brands to Croatia, but they currently do not have concrete plans.

When asked why they chose the Hyatt chain for Zadar and the new luxury hotel they are building in that city, Baykan emphasizes that it is one of the most prestigious hotel chains in the world, offering accommodation and service of the highest quality, which is also their goal.

– Dogus Group has successfully collaborated with Hyatt for many years. The hotel in Zadar will be the first Hyatt hotel owned by Dogus Group in Croatia and the fourth overall, as we already have Grand Hyatt Istanbul and Park Hyatt Istanbul, and we are currently also working on the development of the Hyatt House Istanbul Gebze project. We believe that Hyatt is an extremely valuable brand for Croatia and its tourism, and we are proud to have convinced them to come, emphasizes Baykan.