ZAGREB, Sept 11 (Hina) - Croatia will log an increase of three to five percent in the number of tourists and overnights this year, as planned, while the planned 10-15 percent increase in the financial effect will be surpassed many
times over, Tourism Minister Pave Zupan-Ruskovic said on Thursday briefing the government about tourist results in the January-August period.
ZAGREB, Sept 11 (Hina) - Croatia will log an increase of three to
five percent in the number of tourists and overnights this year, as
planned, while the planned 10-15 percent increase in the financial
effect will be surpassed many times over, Tourism Minister Pave
Zupan-Ruskovic said on Thursday briefing the government about
tourist results in the January-August period. #L#
According to Croatian National Bank data, revenue generated by
foreign tourists in this year's first six months amounts to US$1.7
billion, up 76 percent from the same time last year.
If this year's first half accounts for 26 percent of the entire
annual foreign exchange earnings, said earnings will far exceed
expectations, the minister said. Although she did not say so, these
earnings could be nearly $7 billion.
More than 4.8 million tourist arrivals were logged in this year's
first seven months, up 5.2 percent from the same time last year,
while overnights went up 2.4 percent to 24.3 million.
August figures are even better, with the number of tourists
increasing by eight and that of overnights by 10 percent from August
2002.
The most numerous among foreign tourists were the Germans, making
up nearly one-fourth of all foreigners. Holiday-makers from
Slovenia, Italy, Austria, and the Czech Republic follow.
Counties along the Dalmatian coast logged the highest increase in
overnights -- eight percent in the January-July period and 10
percent in August. Dalmatia is thus returning to pre-war figures,
about 38 percent of all overnights, said Zupan-Ruskovic.
This year also saw an increase in prices, notably for
accommodation, which on average cost 16 percent more than the 2002
average, which was due, among other things, to bigger investments
in hotels, she said.
Finance Minister Mato Crkvenac said tourism was a strategic
opportunity for Croatia, but noted that Croatia had not completed
its development-oriented approach to tourism.
He said a huge number of arrivals went unreported, receipts were not
issued, and taxes were not being paid.
Prime Minister Ivica Racan also highlighted those issues. Pleased
with this year's tourism results, he said the government would
address them and problems in tourism in October.
(hina) ha