3.4.1.

Blue Lagoon The development of tourism potential based on offers of sports and recreational
activities will be demonstrated with the example of the complex "Blue Lagoon" in Porec. At the end of
the 60's, Porec represented a significant tourism potential used by rare youth groups, a small number of
domestic tourists and tourist association from France, which was cultivating for years the active forms of
recreational water activities during their stay (Fatoric, 1989). They could not pay the rent because of the
financial problems, so they left their equipment and props to their hosts. Tourism workers have noticed
the benefits of the active vacation and in the area of former camp they built a touristic complex. In the
early 80's that complex was composed by 60 tennis courts (2, complex of the courts for small sports,
stables for horse riding and a big nautical center (on the water) (sailing boats, boats, sailing boards,
canoes, pedal boats, motor boats ...). A few years later a sport center with two halls was built. One hall,
for small sports, would be turned into a mall or a pub if it were necessary. A N I M A T O R I N T O U R I S
M Ivanovski 44 Mitić The other one, if it was necessary, could have three tennis courts or any other
sport field. Based on such a concentration of sport courts and a mild Mediterranean climate,
hardworking hosts were able to extend the tourist season from the usual 60 to 180 days, and half of the
tourist facilities were opened during the year, which significantly affected the flow of funds and
maintenance of image. With a range of such activities, "Blue and Green Lagoon" and, of course, the
whole Porec region, were the target of many tourists who were also coming during the low season,
confident that they will not be bored and that the hosts will offer them something interesting. Tennis
season lasted all year, and during the low season weekend tournaments, which were gathering
participants from nearby countries - Austria, Italy and even Germany, were regularly organized. The
participants bore the cost of the rent, the organization, medals, their own stay and the extra spending
was also included. Besides the offer of sport and recreational contents, the hosts had their own team of
animators who were in charge of offering adequate programs during the day and especially at night, so
that the guest always feels welcome and enjoys, relaxed, in the beauty of the Mediterranean.
Maintenance of such a number of sports courts and recreational activities represents a particular
organizational and financial problem, which implies the synchronization of a large number of tourism
workers. According to the analysis of Fatoric and Zivanovic (1990), each single court is not profitable, but
in a package, the guest decides for this destination because of the overall positive atmosphere that
dominates many sports courts so the investment of that kind returns on the overall plan. 3.4.2
Mediterranean Club Club tourism is one of the aspects of tourism whose golden period of development
is registered in the past three decades. Philosophy of this kind of traveling is based on comfortable
accommodation in the tourist settlement of scattered type (bungalows and apartments scattered
around the greenery without a large hotel complex). Another focal point is the insistence on relaxation
and on creating an environment in which communication is inevitable: it is forbidden to wear suits and
ties; the food is being served on the large tables; it is possible to get the fruit in unlimited amounts;
plastic beads, which are worn as bracelets or necklaces, are used as the means of paying instead of
money, and nowadays, optical and magnetic cards are already being present. All the sports activities are
already included in the price and can be exercised as much as one desires with the help of teachers or
independently. The great number of animators whose role is to launch a range of social, cultural and
sporting events in which the guests are also participating, are with the guests (on 1000 guests up to 70
animators). And the atmosphere of a common, active holiday with the intensive communication
between all participants, is being created. That A N I M A T O R I N T O U R I S M Ivanovski 45 Mitić
represents the main characteristic of the club tourism. The club "MED" (abbreviation of the word
"Mediterranean") is a French organization, whose facilities are situated all around the world with a
particular concentration on the Mediterranean basin and besides the summer destinations also
possesses several attractive winter holiday destinations in Switzerland and France. The similar
organization in Germany is called "Robinson Club" and it brings together a large number of tourists who
prefer active forms of tourism. It is certainly true that this kind of travel arrangement is more expensive,
but gives them the freedom to participate whenever and wherever they want, and for that reason, it
provides much more than a conventional tourism, which, in the end, almost always costs more. "All-
inclusive" philosophy is a great success on the tourism market as a part of the offers of the big agencies,
and tourists gladly choose such kind of arrangements because they are liberated from small
organizational problems at their new tourist destination. This applies to those kinds of tourists who
always choose something new for a vacation, following the trends and experiencing the holiday as their
own creation, unlike the people who, for years, go to relax and "recharge their batteries" to the same
places and to the same hosts. Club Mediterranean has been working for 50 years, and today is worth 1.3
billion dollars. There are 98 villages in 40 countries on all five continents, within the club. All Club Med
villages are placed on beautiful locations and offer to the tourists not only numerous activities, but also
varied cuisines. This formula has proven to be one of the most successful offers in the international
tourism. Example - Mediterranean Club - Club formula of how to use sport and recreation for tourism
development. Club Med is one of the largest tour operators in the world, with 1.6 million clients on
annual level. These clients are staying in one of the 98 Club Med villages, either in the cabin or in a
luxury bungalow or a hotel, or they are situated in one of two luxury ships, owned by the Club. Concept
of Club Med is different from the offer of other travel agencies. Club Med wants to provide a relaxing
journey to people, away from life's everyday problems and stress. In these magical places, social
differences disappear and people should feel completely free. The unlimited amount of different food
and drinks are included in price paid by the customers. In 1950, Belgian, Gerard Blic, founded a small
company - Mediterranean Club - to give people the opportunity to return to the nature. All the Club
Med villages, at that time, were quite primitive and consisted of a tent or a cabin. During the following
years a number of villages and ski resorts were built, and a firm became a French company. Since 1963
company was administered by Frenchman Gilbert Trigano, who dedicated his life to the club. Under his
leadership the Club Med opened its villages around the world, which were A N I M A T O R I N T O U R I S
M Ivanovski 46 Mitić characterized by the luxury and a wide range of all types of social and recreational
activities. In 1982, this diversity has led to the separation of commercial and administrative functions of
the company (Europe, Africa, America, and Asian / Indian and Atlantic Ocean) by regions, and to a
division into two legal structures (Club Med SA, and Club Med Inc.) which operate completely
independently. In the meantime, a few smaller companies, which operated in the tourism market, were
bought, so the Club Med's market share has increased. In order to satisfy the needs of different target
groups, Club Med has made its offer even more diverse. Examples of these offers are the club hotels,
City Club, as well as less expensive alternatives - such as "Aquarius Club". Recently, Club Med has also
begun to organize expensive cruises on two luxury ships, Club Med I and II.