beds in 1980—and were thus neither financially stable nor profitable, especially since their operation was mostly confined to the summer.
Year after year there was the same lack of time and space to accom- modate all those who wished to enjoy the sea with their children dur- ing the summer school holidays. The associations of the centers spo- radically organized in the 1970s and 1980s failed to create a larger network and enable guest exchanges. It can be assumed that a number of workers did not appreciate returning to the same center for years in succession. Moreover, there were also those not enamored at the idea of spending their holidays with their fellow workers, i.e., in the same social surroundings they had in the workplace.141 Since the centers were quite modest as a rule, some of the guests had difficulty in adjust- ing to the quality of the service and accommodation. A vast majority of centers were situated on the coast and had therefore less appeal for the coastal population, who preferred to travel to the mountains or to spas. In addition, the latter frequently looked down on social tourists and showed more interest in developing commercial tourism.
However, the workers’ holiday centers trained large numbers of workers in the art of being a tourist. Đulaga Seidović from Doboj in Bosnia and Herzegovina was sent to the island of Hvar in 1973 by his trade union and was greatly excited: “This is my first time at the sea.
Up to now I had only seen it on TV.”142Marijan Suknar, employed at the Zagreb gasworks declared: “If we had no odmaralište, many would never see the sea.”143 Thousands came back summer after summer.
Drago Gašparić, a postman, was a regular guest in Sukošan: “I have only the best to say about our odmaralište. If I didn’t feel happy here, I wouldn’t have continued to come back for the last fifteen years.
A man likes to be among his own kind. We help each other if neces- sary. We have fun and leisure time together.”144Dragan Stojić, a driver from Donji Miholjac in Slavonia, encouraged everyone “who had the opportunity to go to the holiday centers and see for themselves how important holidays are for their health.”145 Ordinary citizens across
Workers into Tourists 65
141See Šarić and Torer (1962); S.E. (1963).
142“Solidarnost ih je dovela prvi put na more,” RN, 23 November 1973.
143“Bez odmarališta ne vidjesmo mora,” RN, 10 August 1981.
144“Sukošan—centar radničkih odmarališta,” RN, 21 August 1978.
145“Ljeto, odmori, turizam: Sunce i more za radost,” RN, August 8, 1977.
Yugoslavia began to practice tourism, and many of them realized their holiday entitlements and desires within the framework of the workers’
centers. Some did so because they really enjoyed it, others because it was the only possibility to participate in the good life, which could no longer be imagined without summer holidays on the Adriatic coast.
After all, the odmarališta were created in their interest and fulfilled their mission as long as there was comradeship, the sea, and the sun, a comfortable bed, and three decent meals a day.
66 Igor Duda
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