A Fourth-Generation Croatian Returns to His Roots and Builds an Adventure Tourism Business

Six months in Chile, six months in Croatia! Bastian Esteban Fonseca Lucić, a descendant of Croatian emigrants from Hvar, has found a way to bring together two continents, his family roots and his love of adventure.

He is building his own tourism business on the emerald-green Mrežnica River, with an even more ambitious goal in mind: connecting Croatia and South America and introducing the world to the beauty of Croatia's rivers.

Bastian Esteban Fonseca Lucić describes himself as a "Dalmatian-Latino." His ancestors left the island of Hvar in 1892 and set sail for South America, never imagining that four generations later, one of their descendants would return to Croatia and start a business of his own.

"My great-grandfather was from Hvar. We are the fourth generation of Croats in South America. My great-grandfather and great-grandmother left in 1892," recalls Bastian, an expert in sustainable tourism.

Bringing Chilean experience to Croatian rivers

Chile is one of the world's leading destinations for adventure tourism, and it was there that Bastian gained valuable experience. His family has been involved in the tourism industry for 12 years, while he has spent the past seven years working as a guide on the upper reaches of the Mrežnica River.

Recognizing the potential of the Karlovac region, he decided to launch his own business together with his Croatian friends.

"We see great potential in continental Croatia, especially Karlovac County, as a hub for rural and adventure tourism," Bastian says.

His business philosophy is built on three principles: environmental protection, professionalism and quality service.

Bringing new energy and expertise to local guides

Bastian's arrival has also made an impression on local guides. Rafting guide Ronald Šegavić says he brought openness, emotion and a more relaxed South American approach.

"At first, there was a little mistrust, but we quickly developed an excellent relationship. Bastian immediately embraced the Mrežnica as his own," Šegavić says.

His experience has also proved valuable when it comes to safety. Janko Presečki, a rafting guide and European under-23 canoeing team champion, explains that guides in Chile work on much wilder rivers and therefore place particular emphasis on safety procedures.

That expertise is gradually being put to use in Croatia's adventure tourism sector.

A bigger plan: Connecting Croatia and South America

Bastian's ambitions extend far beyond the Mrežnica. He wants to expand his travel agency, Terra Croatica, across Croatia, and is particularly excited about the opportunity to build stronger tourism links between Croatia and Chile.

"The plan is to bring South American tourists to Croatia and take Croatians to Chile," he reveals.

His Chilean travel agency already operates near Patagonia. The goal is to offer visitors authentic experiences, local cuisine and opportunities to connect directly with nature and local communities.

"South Americans and people from the Balkans are very similar. We're not looking for the most expensive hotels, but for authentic experiences, good food and quality service," he explains.

Training Croatian guides in Chile

One of his future projects is Terra Croatica Academia, an initiative aimed at further professionalizing Croatia's adventure tourism sector.

He plans to organize professional training programs for Croatian guides in Chile, including internationally recognized courses in rafting, mountain guiding and wilderness first aid.

His goal is to help Croatian guides return home with new skills and experience that can contribute to improving the country's tourism offer.

Hvar, where he reconnects with his roots

Although his work takes him back and forth between two continents, the island of Hvar holds a special place in Bastian's heart. It is the island his ancestors left more than a century ago in search of a new life.

His great-grandfather came from Brusje and his great-grandmother from Velo Grablje. Although he no longer has close relatives on the island, Bastian returns every year after the tourist season.

"After the summer, we go to Hvar, talk to the neighbors and meet people. It's a shame we no longer have family there, but we keep coming back to enjoy the island," he says.

From the rivers of Chile to the emerald-green Mrežnica, and from Patagonia to Hvar, Bastian's story shows how Croatian roots can remain strong even after four generations on another continent. His return to the homeland of his ancestors has become the beginning of an entirely new adventure.