ZAGREB, May 18 (Hina) - The Croatian Competitiveness Initiative has completed a strategy for the period up to 2008 suggesting gradually replacing mass tourism with a recognisable and individualised product which would step up the
development of individual regions, increase tourists' daily spending, extend the high season, and spur overall economic growth.
ZAGREB, May 18 (Hina) - The Croatian Competitiveness Initiative has
completed a strategy for the period up to 2008 suggesting gradually
replacing mass tourism with a recognisable and individualised
product which would step up the development of individual regions,
increase tourists' daily spending, extend the high season, and spur
overall economic growth. #L#
According to the strategy, said goal and the development of new and
better tourist products may be achieved by annually investing
US$100 million from tourism profits in tourism and attracting
another $50 million annually, either by borrowing, issuing new
stock, or through direct foreign investments. The strategy
proposes the state return at least 50 percent of tourism profit tax
revenue in tourism.
This would contribute to the realisation by 2008 of goals which
include tripling daily expenditure per tourist and increasing
spending in hotels by 40 percent. According to the World Tourism and
Travel Council, the average daily spending per tourist in Croatia
is $44.12 while in 2008 it should be a minimum $100.
Another aim of the strategy is to triple the number of tourists in
Croatia between October and May, which period accounts for only 11
of all annual tourist arrivals, as well as double the number of
tourists visiting inland Croatia -- currently only 10.9 percent.
According to the Initiative, by applying this strategy and
rationally using the ecological, cultural and historical
potential, Croatia may increase tourism profits and reduce mass
tourism, which is viewed as the main cause of low revenue.
The Initiative hopes the government, tourist organisations and
individual regions will adopt, amend, and carry out the strategy.
The drawing up of the Croatian tourism competitiveness strategy
began last year, with support from the Initiative, under the
auspices of the U.S. Agency for International Development, and with
the participation of tourism experts, the government, and the
academic community.
(hina) ha