The Strategy of the City of Opatija is a document for the city's long-term development which examines problems and occurrences and their complex, dynamic and interrelated objective systems from the local (city) and regional, to the national and EU level. Such a complex approach to a social system means that a holistic and systematic approach are dominant in the book, along with the use of scientific methods of analysis. In order to be able to define the analysis of the current state and to develop a matrix containing the developmental challenges of the City of Opatija, the book uses and presents the results of primary research conducted by the authors (processed surveys, numerous workshops, SWOT analyses, the results of primary research from 2004-2012, an assessment of the tourism offer of Opatija and the Kvarner region based on scientific research conducted by the Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management), as well as available secondary sources. The authors have also taken into account and consulted higher level objectives, from regional and national to European, by using the so called GOPP methodology. The theoretical and practical value of this methodology is illustrated by its systematic approach to identifying logical ties and relationships defined by the Development Strategy of the City of Opatija. The concept behind developing the Strategy was based on a bottom up approach, which included motivating a wider community, i.e. all interested parties, to make suggestions and comments with the purpose of including them in the analysis and directing them towards attaining the strategic objectives. The Development Strategy of the City of Opatija is based on analyzing the current state, determining the developmental challenges (problems) and the vision, from which the following basic strategic objectives for the City of Opatija were devised: • sustainable development, optimal allocation and protection of resources • successful economy with particular emphasis on year-round top tier tourism • high quality of life for local residents and good working conditions of employees. These strategic goals have produced eigth strategic development priorities of equal importance: • base development on principles of sustainability • maintain high level of sea, water, soil and air quality • educate and develop human resources in accordance with economy needs • stop population decrease • systematically increase competitiveness, appeal and service quality • base development of surroundings on entrepreneurship, rural tourism, eco-friendly agriculture, breeding and producing authentic (traditional) species • encourage capital infrastructural projects • establish a city with a high level of social responsibility and sensitivity. All strategic priorities have been addressed by means of 55 measures for implementation, which form the basis of the long-term implementation of the Strategy via concrete development projects, which according to the previously defined selection criteria, have to follow the pyramid of development in both logic and content. This system is open and flexible for implementing development and business projects with the purpose of attaining objectives that benefit the City of Opatija.