POSLOVNI ĐIR Iva Kegalj

Guest Iva KegeljHosted by Mojdana KoharevićMay 3, 2026

Iva Kegelj

About this episode

What you'll hear in this conversation

The iconic 'Zimmer frei' signs, once a fixture on the Adriatic coast, signaled a direct, if rudimentary, approach to tourism. Today, that direct connection has evolved into something far more sophisticated, yet still deeply personal. Iva Kegelj, owner of Litto, a Split-based tourism agency, has built a business at the forefront of this transformation. She didn't just digitize the old model; she reinvented it for a new generation of travelers, emphasizing the digital experience while staying grounded in the realities of property management. Her story offers a clear view into how a young entrepreneur navigates market shifts, builds a team-centric culture, and learns by doing in an industry often resistant to change. Readers will leave this conversation considering how foundational operational knowledge remains essential, even in the most technologically forward ventures.

Insights from the conversation

What to take from this episode

The traditional 'Zimmer frei' signs still dotting the Adriatic coast cater to an older generation of travelers, but Iva Kegelj’s Litto.co was built to serve millennials. Understanding how a new generation filters information and makes purchasing decisions is more important than simply offering accommodation.

Before launching their digital platform, Litto spent five years building 'good foundations' through property management services. Deep, on-the-ground understanding of market supply, demand, and guest needs is a critical prerequisite for effective digital product development.

Iva Kegelj doesn't see herself as a 'boss' but as a leader focused on team goals and functionality, a departure from older hierarchical structures. In smaller, agile companies, leadership is less about formal titles and more about guiding tasks and achieving shared objectives.

After finding the slow advancement and rigid hierarchies of the hotel industry unfulfilling, Iva describes being 'thrown into the fire' at Litto, learning by doing. The most valuable knowledge often comes from independent problem-solving in fast-paced environments, rather than traditional mentorship.

Bureaucracy, while often a daily struggle for entrepreneurs, can also offer support through grants and opportunities for young businesses. It's a dual-edged sword that must be managed as a routine operational task, rather than a show-stopping obstacle.

Litto maintains separate teams: four full-time staff plus seasonal cleaners for property management, and eight to nine people for web development, with Iva overseeing the latter. Segmenting operational and technical teams allows for specialized focus and efficient execution within a growing digital tourism business.

Litto.co aims to offer accommodations at more favorable rates than larger booking platforms. A direct booking model can create a competitive advantage by passing on savings from reduced intermediary fees directly to the customer.

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