OUR
Story
Our story began with the start of the new millennium. The small group of Dubrovnik-based travel professionals and experts joined together and developed what is now a contemporary destination management company consisting of _employees specialized in MICE, premium individual travel, exciting day trips, and itineraries filled with experiences and activities for everyone. In the last 20 years, our company grew into one of the most recognizable travel partners on the Dalmatian coast and we also live our brand promises of sustainability through TravelLife. We take huge pride in the fact that even after 20 years we are still a local family-owned business driven by a passion to bring our customers and clients closer to Croatia and neighboring countries by providing excellent service. Our energy and love towards tourism have not faded away, on contrary, it has only grown bigger! When we see that many of our apprentices are now independent managers, travel planners, and incentive organizers within the Elite Travel community, we know that we are doing business the right way.
Legacy
We are happy to share our legacy with you; Elite Travel was one of the first Croatian destination management companies to organize demanding incentive projects back in the day for Motorola, Edward Jones, Ford motors, BP, Shell, Dell, HP…just to name a few. We were also the first to host special events from the top luxury vessels such as Sea Dream, Sea Cloud, Le Boreal. We invested in the replica of the medieval galleon which became a landmark for events in the Dubrovnik area and did special dinner productions on board like Dinner with Richard the Lionheart. We also were the first to come up with the Game of the Thrones tour concept in Dubrovnik…the one that many have followed. We put many Croatian hinterland gems on the map for international travelers & clients and we participated in the creation of travel trends on the Dalmatian coast like making the island of Hvar, the trendiest of the islands in the Adriatic. Many of our clients became our friends and we treat them like family members. Today in our company we have a synergy of knowledge, creativity, and new outlooks on the needs & wants of the modern traveller. We also have employees that are with us for more than 20 years which is our greatest legacy of all.
Team
ŽELJKA ŠANDIĆ
BOARD MEMBER Dubrovnik Office
Željka comes from the family where work in tourism is a kind of a life agenda. After completing her studies in travel and hospitality management she specialised in financial management. Her career path took her from Operations via Commercial Departments till the position of the Board member in charge of finance and accounting. On her professional journey she build up respect, understanding and appreciation towards all positions within Elite Travel organization structure. Her body and soul recharge on the Southern Dalmatian islands, especially on the Island of Koločep where she is among family, children and her loved ones.
TONI ALEKSIĆ
After mathematical high school Toni continued his education on economics and business collage in Zagreb. First steps in the tourism business Toni took within Elite Travel as sales agent in Incoming Department. After few years, he took over the Cruise Ship Department where he learned the secrets of the trade and brushed up on the latest industry know-how. During the turbulent pandemic years, and after 10 years in the company, Toni took over the position of the member of the Board of Directors in charge for the commercial and operations affairs. His hobbies are sailing, biking, pub quizzes and traveling.
SILVIA VERAMENTA
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGERDubrovnik Office
During more than 20 years of experience in tourism industry, Silvia fired up with enthusiasm and dedication towards her job in the Development Department. One of her favorite aspects of the job, being hardworking and cheerful person, is handling new projects and meeting new people. She describes her job as challenging yet fulfilling and inspiring. In her spare time, her latin passion overtakes and Silvia enjoys dancing, singing as well as dressing up during the carnival festivities expressing her immense passion for life and adventure.
IVANA NEUSIDL
MEETINGS & INCENTIVES MANAGERDubrovnik Office
After cereer in financial sector, Ivana had enough of it and decided to dive into the wonderful world of travel industry, more precisely Meetings & Events. Ivana immensely enjoys creating new experiences for her MICE clients as well as coordinating functions on site. Getting to know new people from all over the world and welcoming them to Croatia and beyond is another perk of her job as she describes it. To relax from the MICE buzz, Ivana volunteers at the local animal shelter in Dubrovnik. There, she works with dogs which she has at home as well as her pets. Making life better for little paws gives her great joy and inspiration to be a better person.
ANDRIJA MATIĆ
OUTGOING DEPARTMENT DIRECTORZagreb Office
Born in Dubrovnik, raised in Split, currently based in Zagreb. More than 20 years ago Andrija started career in travel & tourism as a tour guide, continued through group, allotment and Meetings and Events departments till position of the Director of the Outgoing Department and Zagreb Branch Office. Civil aviation enthusiast, foodie and travel addict on an infinite voyage of discovery under the slogan „You can't buy happiness but you can buy a plane ticket, and that's kind of the same thing!“
JOŠKO ŠIMAC
OPERATIONS DIRECTORSplit Office
Nobody knows operations better than our Joško. He started his operations adventure more than 18 years ago and to this day has acquired enviable know-how in logistics, operations and shore excursions. On his path as Elite Travel Operations Director Joško always thrives to upgrade business procedures and optimize the use of company’s resources. In his free time, Joško gets creative in cooking and preparing a delicious meal for his family always using local ingredients such as wild asparagus he gets on the slopes of Marjan hill above Split.
