ZAGREB, March 30 (Hina) - The current interest in and booking for Croatian destinations on all foreign tourist-generating markets relevant for Croatia are higher than last year and even exceed the offer. During this year's season,
Croatia may expect an average ten percent increase in the number of foreign tourists.
ZAGREB, March 30 (Hina) - The current interest in and booking for
Croatian destinations on all foreign tourist-generating markets
relevant for Croatia are higher than last year and even exceed the
offer. During this year's season, Croatia may expect an average ten
percent increase in the number of foreign tourists. #L#
An increase in booking is expected after Easter, especially in
transition countries, according to tour-operators. Interest has
significantly risen also in the Benelux countries, France, Great
Britain and Ireland.
According to the National Tourist Board's international offices,
Croatia is currently the most popular destination in Poland and
Russia. The number of tourists from those markets is expected to
exceed last year's figure by over 30 percent, touroperators say.
The increase is believed to be the result of new charter flights and
a richer offer.
A 20 percent increase as against last year is expected from tourists
from Slovenia, the Czech Republic and Hungary. Slovenes, for
example, started this year's booking much earlier than other
markets and are very interested in the early summer season.
The British and Irish markets look promising despite announcements
that the British will cut down on vacations abroad due to last
year's terrorist attacks on the United States. The strong promotion
on those markets, however, as well as the introduction of several
direct charter flights for Croatia throughout the season, are
expected to result in an increase of 10-20 percent.
The situation is similar in Belgium, the Netherlands, and France,
where an increase of at least ten percent as against last year is
expected.
Scandinavian countries are significantly interested in Croatia as
well, mainly due to the availability of a much bigger offer and the
possibility of organised travelling to the Adriatic.
Booking among Germans, Croatia's most numerous and most faithful
summer guests, Italians and Slovaks is at or slightly above last
year's level. The situation is expected to be clearer after
Easter.
A decline in interest for Croatia on traditionally big markets has
been registered in Austria, although of only one percent, and is the
result of insufficient promotion and higher prices in Croatia.
Almost all foreign markets are unhappy with the increase in
Croatian prices, which they say are not always accompanied by
better services and offer. Complaints are also made about the
quality of hotel accommodation and promotion.
Croatia's competitors this year in attracting summer tourists are
Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey, and Montenegro, which have lower prices,
especially in the early and late season.
(hina) ha