Help fund the startup costs of the upcoming travel agency Magnificent Croatia

  • US$4,445.00
    raised of $4,000.00 goal goal
111% Funded
64 Donors
Raised offline: $500.00
Total: $4,945.00
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We'll get through this together even when we're apart

In today's difficult times, I strongly believe it is important than ever to reconnect with nature, strengthen community ties and reignite our sense of adventure and exploration.

YOUR HELP AND SUPPORT IS INVALUABLE

As much as I believe in my vision and ability to start and gradually expand my business, I need to get some wind in my sails in terms of the initial budget. This is where this site and its generous visitors come in. For my travel agency to be set up by the end of October 2021, I need to cover a lot of ground and related costs.

Everything over the original goal - 4.000 $ means I am one step closer to making this dream come true by October 19th. That day will be a big day for me since I will be turning 40 then. I can't begin to tell you how excited I am for this!

The funds received will go directly for:

  • company registration (cca 1.000,00 $)
  • website design,SEO and maintenance, (cca 1.000,00 $)
  • domain lease and web hosting ( cca 80.00$)
  • book of standards / visual identity (cca 400.00$)
  • marketing and advertising (e.g. Google AdWords), cca 700,00$)
  • agency hardware (e.g. laptop, printer), cca 500,00$)
  • purchase or lease licensed IT programs Windows 365 I Office package (cca 300.00$)
Given that a non-negligible portion of the total amount raised has to be spent on Croatian taxes, GoGetFunding fees, and card processing fees, every penny is valuable and each contribution to the described goal is welcome and much appreciated!

PROJECT OVERVIEW


My name is Matilda and I'm originally from Opuzen, a small town nestled at the heart of the thriving Neretva Valley, Croatia. Due to its sun-drenched climate and bustling mandarin cultivation, the Neretva Valley is often dubbed as "The Croatian California". What sets the Neretva Valley apart from its US counterpart are its Mediterranean surroundings and almost exclusive economic reliance on agriculture.


I myself am a 39-year-old hospitality industry worker born to a family of hard-working Opuzen-based agriculturists. In the midst of these difficult times, riddled with declining public health and sudden lockdowns, I have unfortunately lost my job. Prior to these unfortunate circumstances, I have gained 13 years of experience in the tourism industry, which includes both managing 4- and 5-star hotels and running operations in a tourism agency.


Even without the damaging effect Covid-19 has had on my career and livelihood, it has always been a dream of mine to start a business of my own. And now that I have been forced to act quicker, I dream even bigger. Aside from wanting to set up my own travel agency by the end of October 2021, where I would make it my mission to get travelers acquainted with the hidden gems of Croatia.


I would also like to help my hard-working parents make a more decent living out of their vast mandarin plantations. They harvest 1800 trees. The two of them single-handedly harvest, load and sell their produce throughout the entire year. Rather than follow in their footsteps and devote my life to agriculture, I forged a path of my own in the tourism industry with equal passion and determination.

Thus far, I have participated in a variety of world tourism fairs, including WTM London, ITB Berlin, Conventa Ljubljana, IMEX Frankfurt , Holiday World Praha, MAP Paris, Shanghai and Beijing and, my personal favorite, USA Travel & Adventure Show.


Having completed the Professional Exam for Branch Manager at the Faculty of Economics in Split and having gained a lot of hands-on experience in the hospitality industry, I feel equipped to tackle any future endeavors within the tourism industry. I am convinced that my background in the tourism industry and my positive attitude towards partners and customers has to count for something and that success will ensue once I start my own business.

But to get my business started, I need your help with donations!

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MY AGENCY

My business motto is: Every customer deserves to have their travel experience tailored to their needs.

My plan is to start a travel company that specializes in tailor-made travel experiences in the South East Europe region, most notably in Croatia, as well as in the neighboring Bosnia & Herzegovina and Slovenia. My travel company would offer Croatia & Beyond travel packages tailored to customers' wishes and budget.


By adding an agritourism component to the agency's operations (Farming tour in Neretva Valley, madarin harvest...) I hope to both help my parents place their products and inspire any prospective visitors to interact with our entire agricultural community and support it in the process.


ABOUT CROATIA

Croatia is a small country with a rich history, awe-inspiring beauty, fabulous culture and cuisine, and a variety of natural and architectural wonders. It is the perfect destination for beach bums looking for a relaxing holiday on the coast, outdoor enthusiasts interested in hiking or biking in its national parks, sightseers and history buffs interested in exploring medieval quarters and Roman ruins, and wine and food connoisseurs looking to indulge in magnificent wine and the freshest seafood.

Croatia’s largest many great cities which have a lot to offer and are each worthy of exploration.


The beautiful walled, seaside city of Dubrovnik, known as the Pearl of the Adriatic, features outstanding views of the Dalmatian coast and a picturesque historic Old Town. The city walls and forts of Dubrovnik became King’s Landing for the hit TV show ‘Game of Thrones’ – you can take a Game of Thrones tour while visiting Dubrovnik which will make the TV show come alive.


Split is the heart and major city of the Dalmatian Coast. The main attraction in this bustling urban city is Diocletian’s Palace – a UNESCO World Heritage site and the world’s most atmospheric Roman Ruin, dating back more than 1,700 years. From the outside, it is an imposing walled fortress, but once inside the gates, you will find lots of restaurants, bars and shops amid its narrow winding streets.


Visitors of Croatia can explore its archipelago of 1,244 islands (only 48 of which are permanently inhabited) by boat on the beautiful Adriatic sea. A highlight of any visit to Croatia is its gorgeous beaches and crystal clear water, the best of which are located in the Croatian region of Dalmatia.

ABOUT NERETVA

Croatia is full of beautiful places. Not all of them are on the tourist radar, however. The Neretva Valley, just an 80-minute drive from Dubrovnik and Split, is one of those places that tourists visiting Croatia often don't hear of. Croatia has some of its food products protected at both the national and European level, their status designated by their unique place of origin. Neretva mandarins are one of them. The Neretva Valley, colloquially known as the "mandarin valley", attracts a growing number of tourists who are looking for an active holiday and are welcomed by the hospitable locals of Metković, Opuzen, Komin and other nearby areas.This quickly became very popular and the mandarin harvest became a real tourist attraction. There are one, two and three day trips on offer, from which tourists return full of impressions but also replenished with vitamin C, ideal for strengthening the immune system before winter time.

Aside from making a donation, there are also many other ways to help - spreading the word and sharing the link to this campaign on

🔸️Facebook

🔸️Instagram

🔸️ linked.in

or on any other social media means the world to me and to my campaign!

And last but not least...

THANK YOU. HVALA.

Matilda Kežić

Rewards

Name a mandarin tree

3 Backers
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3 Backers

Adopt a mandarin tree

5 Backers
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5 Backers

Sponsor a mandarin tree and get a certificate

0 Backers
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0 Backers

Split walking tour with me

0 Backers
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0 Backers

Neretva Valley tour with me

10 Backers
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10 Backers

Split and Neretva Valley Tour

0 Backers
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0 Backers

Neretva and Dubrovnik Tour

0 Backers
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0 Backers

Fundraising Team

I am passionate about travelling and meeting people from different cultures.

I am passionate about travelling and meeting people from different cultures.

  • Marin Kezic
  •  
  • manager
  • Ivana Granic
  •  
  • Foto manager
  • Josipa Butigan
  •  
  • Funds captain

Donors

  • Anonymous
  • Donated on Sep 16, 2021
$1600.00
  • Anonymous
  • Donated on Sep 12, 2021
  • I wish you, Matilda and your family all the best❤

Amount Hidden
  • Sanja Majić
  • Donated on Sep 12, 2021
  • Naprijed Matilda - evo mali prilog, i mali korak naprijed je korak !

$50.00
Sep 22

​We have reached our crowdfunding goal!

Update posted by Matilda Kezic at 10:22 am

Dear beckers,The campaign "Magnificent Croatia" has reached its crowdfunding campaign goal!I send my heartfelt thanks to everyone who has supported me, encouraged me, and believed in me. I am thankful beyond words.With love,

See update
0
Sep 13

The countdown begins

Update posted by Matilda Kezic at 08:16 pm

See update
0
Aug 27

Update #4

Update posted by Matilda Kezic at 02:22 pm

Dear Backers,Photo credit: Mattko SutonTime for news! It's been a while since the last update. I have just purchased a domain and web hosting for my Travel agency. Web is under construction. I have lots of work, but it should be over by the end of September. Launching is scheduled. . . . .

See update
0
Aug 14

Update #3

Update posted by Matilda Kezic at 07:25 am

Thank you everyone for supporting the Magnificent Croatia! We still have 26 days left in our campaign to keep pushing for my stretch first goal.Please share my campain with friends, family or work colleagues to help spread the word about Majestic Croatia.Thank you again for the support!

See update
0
Aug 06

Update #2

Update posted by Matilda Kezic at 06:13 pm

See update
0
Aug 01

Update #1

Update posted by Matilda Kezic at 12:53 pm

It’s heartwarming and outright amazing to see you becked this project I’ve invested my heart and soul into. I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart! Aside from making a donation, there are also many other ways to help - spreading the word and sharing the

See update
0

Donors & Comments

64 donors
  • Anonymous
  • Donated on Sep 16, 2021
$1600.00
  • Anonymous
  • Donated on Sep 12, 2021
  • I wish you, Matilda and your family all the best❤

Amount Hidden
  • Sanja Majić
  • Donated on Sep 12, 2021
  • Naprijed Matilda - evo mali prilog, i mali korak naprijed je korak !

$50.00
  • Josip Sedlar
  • Donated on Sep 12, 2021
  • Sretno Matilda

$50.00
  • Anonymous
  • Donated on Sep 11, 2021
  • Sretno 👍😊

$150.00
  • Zorica Stojkovic
  • Donated on Sep 11, 2021
$15.00
  • Mirela Vuletic
  • Donated on Sep 11, 2021
  • Upoznala sam Matildu. Matilda će uspjeti. 😊

Amount Hidden
  • Anonymous
  • Donated on Sep 11, 2021
$10.00
  • TIM HISSKETT
  • Donated on Sep 11, 2021
$1.00
  • Anonymous
  • Donated on Sep 10, 2021
Amount Hidden
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Followers

17 followers
Nada Kozina
Mirela Vuletic
Tome Dujmovic
Helena Budisa
Tomislav Ivancevic
Cheryl Devine
Bojana Bosnic
Dino Mandic
Marina Pavletic
Ivica Granic
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US$4,445.00
raised of $4,000.00 goal
111% Funded
64 Donors
Raised offline: $500.00
Total: $4,945.00