ZAGREB, June 18 (Hina) - During Wednesday's debate in parliament, all benches supported a draft set of tourism laws in the first reading, with a general assessment that the Croatian National Tourist Board should improve the promotion
of Croatia's tourism, which has not yet become recognisable.
ZAGREB, June 18 (Hina) - During Wednesday's debate in parliament,
all benches supported a draft set of tourism laws in the first
reading, with a general assessment that the Croatian National
Tourist Board should improve the promotion of Croatia's tourism,
which has not yet become recognisable. #L#
Valter Drandic of the Istrian Democratic Assembly (IDS) said
Croatia's tourism was a rare economy branch which had constantly
being invested into and where the level of business activities was
being improved. He said this was a branch that needed special
attention.
Investments in tourism amount to about US$640 million, which is 11
percent of total investments made in Croatia, said Drandic. He
reminded that there were about 300,000 jobs in tourism, i.e. more
than 20 percent of Croatia's total employment. The MP also
presented data according to which income from tourism comprises
22.4% of Gross Domestic Product.
The IDS supported the regionalisation of tourist boards. Croatia
must expand its tourist offer and include the entire continental
part of the county, create more jobs and bring more profit, the
party believes.
Jadranka Katarincic-Skrlj of the Social Liberal parliamentary
bench (HSLS) says the tourist season must last not four, but at
least nine months, which is why the state should stimulate other
forms of tourism -- health, county and recreational tourism.
The HSLS believes Croatia needs a comprehensive tourist offer which
will also include castles in Zagorje, a good climate, a clean
environment, a healthy autochthonous culinary offer and cultural
sites in each region, she said.
Ante Markov of the Croatian Peasant Party (HSS) says it is necessary
to change the marginalisation of the attitude towards tourism as
Croatia's resource potential. The party suggests that seasonal
inspectors inspect if there are unregistered guests or guests who
are not paying visitors' tax. The State Inspectorate is inspecting
only written reports, and municipalities and counties are
interested in seasonal inspectors which they would also finance,
said Markov.
Vesna Skare Ozbolt of the Democratic Centre believes that high
fines for avoiding visitors' tax are a solution to the problem.
The package of tourism laws should go into force on January 1,
2004.
Parliament briefly discussed a draft decision on adopting a zoning
plan for the Kornati National Park. PMs objected to the fact that
representatives of the environmental protection and zoning
ministry, which moved the decision, did not attend today's
sitting.
Parliament ended this week's session.
(hina) it