The city of Dubrovnik has recognized the value of this old trade, and has listed barkariols as a traditional trade of the city. They receive subsidy, which helps to maintain the boats and engines.

In this manner, they are able to service all those who are willing to try a completely unusual method of transport. During the hot summer days, it is particulary pleasurable to sit in the shade of the boat, and to enjoy the cool breeze for ten minutes. Watching the boats and ships sailing into the harbor is always entertaining. People in Lapad used to go swimming by boat, and housewives would shop at the market. Up to three hundred passengers would be transported daily, whereas today there are only fifty during the liveliest days.

«We used to wait for the boat to fill up, but today, it makes no sense. We simply judge for ourselve when it is time to depart for the other shoreline» - as pointed out by barkariols.

The local population is using this method of transportation less and less, even though this is incomparably more pleasant than a bus ride. «Lapad and Gruž residents have lost the habit of taking a boat ride, everyone has a bus pass for city transportation, and I am sure that twenty percent of today's youth are not even aware that an older, traditional manner of crossing the Bay of Gruž even exists» - stresses Šuperak. Barkariols and their boats are a true tourist attraction. Most of their passengers come from Hotel Lapad, as well as from Babin Kuk. They find this method of transport exeptionally interesting and unusual, and even cheaper. Tourists are usually surprised that the passage costs 7 kn in one direction, which is very cheap for them.

Many photographs have been taken of our barkariols, which have gone around the world, as all tourists who discover the boat as a means of transport between Gruž – Lapad are fond of taking pictures as souvenirs. Boats and the barkariols enrich the Dubrovnik tourist supply with memories of time past. They are also even attractive now. Their future will probably be favorably inclined.