The concept of travel has undergone a transformation in recent years. The sheer number of destinations, experiences and assortments available can bewilder a traveler who seeks to embark on a journey.

Jonathan Riff, a veteran of the travel industry and a digital marketing guru, has always been passionate about helping travellers understand, appreciate and embrace destinations, while also sharing his experience and knowledge about the travel industry as a reference point. To help elaborate on both these aspects, Jonathan is excited about unveiling the “Otok Journal”- a biannual travel and lifestyle magazine. His upcoming book – “When the Tourists Leave” delves into Jonathan’s experiences from when he strived to establish a boutique hotel in Croatia.

The Otok Journal is scheduled for release in November 2019. Each edition focuses on a singular destination alongside engaging interviews, stories and photo essays, with the first edition focusing on Croatia as its primary destination. It will encompass a comprehensive guide to the region’s local art, entertainment, nightlife, luxury real estate and also include reports that cover tech, travel gadgets and an overview of the offered hospitality. Through the Otok Journal, Jonathan also wanted to help create a platform for hoteliers, travel professionals, writers and photographers to foster a community of creative storytellers. Jonathan elaborated on his vision, “Our journal has no limits or boundaries, it is meant for those who crave adventure and those who seek to create something truly exceptional. It is meant to inspire, excite and mesmerize.”

Jonathan first visited Croatia in 2006 and immediately fell in love with it. A decade later, Jonathan and his wife Megan moved to Croatia and bought an old communist social house that was built during the Tito period of Yugoslavia. They restored and remodelled the property into an 18-room boutique hotel. Jonathan has written a book titled “When the Tourists Leave”, which delves into the real story of how Jonathan and Megan left California and moved to Sibenik Croatia in pursuit of their dream to set up a boutique hotel on the coast of the Adriatic Sea.

The book details their journey to a brand-new place where they met new people and forged new friendships against all odds. From facing scepticism and dealing with a language barrier, to facing an intense legal tussle over real estate, the book delves into the nuances of living life in Croatia while facing the many challenges of doing business there. Filled with humour and wit, this story embodies Jonathan and Megan’s unbreakable spirits and sheer tenacity.

With the Otok Journal and his book both scheduled for a simultaneous release, Jonathan continues to look for ways to help revolutionise the travel industry. Jonathan reminisced about his passion for travel and explained, “I got into hospitality because of the joy and knowledge that traveling can bring, it’s an experience which enriches people. There is nothing better than sharing a new part of the world with someone, presenting a representation of its customs, culture and history.”