20th Anniversary of Terme Tuhelj: Vision, Commitment, and Continuous Investment in the Heart of Zagorje

For two decades, they have been “writing” one of the most successful tourism stories in continental Croatia. Twenty years of excellence and business acumen have flown by in an instant, but success – as Florjan Vasle and Vasja Čretnik, directors of Terme Tuhelj, say – did not come by itself. It all started in 2003 when they purchased properties from the former owner of TRC, Mihanović, systematically investing in infrastructure and new products, and most importantly, in employees, who are still the foundation of their success today.

Terme Tuhelj is a well-known destination that guests are happy to return to. You have created a brand that has become a kind of synonym for spas. What is the secret of your success?

Vasja Čretnik: Over the years, we have listened to the needs of the market and our guests. We are proud to have built a successful tourism story that attracts more and more tourists throughout the year, which has become the most important factor in tourism in Krapina-Zagorje County and plays a very important role in Croatia’s continental tourism. We are also continuously expanding visibility in foreign markets and investing in the digitalization of our business, which ultimately contributes to good business results.

In the reconstruction of existing and construction of new facilities, the design of new offerings, and employee training, you have invested 30 million euros over the past 20 years. Do you plan further investments?

Vasja Čretnik: We are entering a new investment cycle, which starts this summer with a new adrenaline slide at the outdoor pools. So far, we have invested over 30 million euros, and we plan to invest an additional 30 million in the next 5 years.

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Florjan Vasle and Vasja Čretnik

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Florjan Vasle: Great things are ahead of us. Further digitalization of the business, a solar power plant, a wood biomass boiler, and the new, mentioned adrenaline slide Tuhi Slide, which is a combination of an enclosed tube and an open slide part that descends on rubber rings, are just part of the new investment cycle that will elevate our offerings to a whole new level. In a later phase, we will also reconstruct the pool complex, sauna, restaurant within the pool, and new accommodation capacities.

Do you plan to increase accommodation capacities?

Vasja Čretnik: Architects Vreš and Mikelić, who have been developing the vision of Terme Tuhelj since 2012, when they received the Viktor Kovačić award for the best architectural solution for Hotel Well****, plan to build a new accommodation facility with 46 units at the site of the current hostel Vila in the next investment cycle. There is also a plan to expand Hotel Well with three free-standing pavilions connected by a warm link.

Within Terme Tuhelj, there is the only 5-star campsite on the continent, and you have recognized the increasingly popular glamping and included it in your offerings. What are the forecasts for the season?

Florjan Vasle: After the existing campsite was renovated in 2019, during the greatest crisis for the tourism sector in 2020, the Glamping village Terme Tuhelj***** was created as an extension of the Vita***** campsite, a modern complex of mobile homes with a corresponding wellness and spa offering of high five stars. The glamping includes 36 mobile units, private parking, a pool, private glamping wellness, and the investment was realized with the Austrian partner Gebetsroither. In recent years, we have seen increasing interest in glamping. People are eager to return to nature, peace, silence, but also a touch of luxury combined with the best wellness offerings. If the numbers are any indication, we are expecting another great season.

You invest and grow, and judging by the results, the effort is certainly paying off. How important are quality employees in the whole story?

Vasja Čretnik: A clear vision of development, continuous investment in service quality, and the pursuit of progress are extremely important if you want to build a successful tourism story. However, things become significantly more complicated if you do not have quality and motivated staff. Employees are the foundation of Terme Tuhelj, and we want them to know how much we value them, and we will continue to invest in their development and satisfaction.

Caring for the local community is often reflected in your business. How important is it to give back to the community?

Vasja Čretnik: Good cooperation with the local community is key to the long-term development of both the company and the destination itself. Cooperation takes place on multiple levels, from sponsorship and support for local sports clubs to humanitarian actions. We also collaborate effectively with the Municipality of Tuhelj, neighboring municipalities, and the County. Cooperation with local producers from whom we procure domestic products and other providers of tourism services is also important. We are aware that ultimately, the experience that the guest has in the destination is important, and the more diverse and richer the offerings, the greater the likelihood that they will return.