The congress will be taking place in Zagreb until the last two days, 20 and 21 October, when it will move to Dubrovnik.
The event, which is being held under the slogan "Tourism Through Friendship and Peace", will include a general assembly of SKAL delegates, an international tourism forum focusing on the topic "Meeting and Incentive Industry", and an exhibition of Croatian wine and food.
Opening the congress, Zagreb Mayor Milan Bandic said the Zagreb city government was supporting the development of a recognisable identity for Zagreb, which he said was expected to contribute to the city's tourist development. In that context, Bandic mentioned a project aimed at improving the public transportation system and the construction of a congress centre.
Tourism Minister Bozdar Kalmeta acquainted participants in the congress with Croatia's achievements in the tourism sector. He said that this year's tourist season was the best since the country gained independence, with a nine-percent increase in arrivals and overnight stays in relation to last year.
The congress was also addressed by SKAL president Matanyah Hecht, who stressed the potential of tourism in the settlement of inter-ethnic and political crises.
SKAL is a federation of representatives of all branches of the tourism industry, established in 1932. It has 22,000 members in 87 countries. The association got its name from the Swedish word for "Cheers" at its first meeting in Sweden.