ZAGREB, Oct 15 (Hina) - Associations of workers in tourism describe this year's tourist season as good, and are particularly satisfied with the financial results which, according to some estimates, rose up to 30 percent in comparison
to last year.
ZAGREB, Oct 15 (Hina) - Associations of workers in tourism describe
this year's tourist season as good, and are particularly satisfied
with the financial results which, according to some estimates, rose
up to 30 percent in comparison to last year. #L#
Tourist workers, however, point to the necessity of greater
investments into the promotion of the Croatian tourism on the euro
markets in 2003 and the adoption of laws in this economic field as
well as to the need of enhancing the quality of the offered services
and products.
The Croatian hoteliers' association (HUH) described the season as
satisfactory both in the financial aspect and in the entire
turnover, and hoteliers are especially satisfied with the
extension of the season until the end of October.
They, however, admit that this year's five-percent rise in the
number of holiday-makers (in comparison to 2001) was not enough,
and therefore they urge better promotion of Croatia's tourism
abroad as to ensure Croatia's competitiveness.
The HUH chairman, Ivan Soric, said it would be necessary to start
with the preparations for the next season on time as to remove
problems such as works on roads and insufficient engagement of
local authorities which burdened the tourist season this summer.
He said he expected of the government to adopt stimulating measures
for hotels and not only for travel agencies and transport.
The association of Croatian travel agencies (UHPA) is "moderately
satisfied" with this season, and the financial results more than
turnover gave more reasons for the satisfaction. But this was the
result of a rise in prices. Travel agencies, however, reiterated
their dissatisfaction with the way of calculation of the Value
Added Tax on the gross price of services they offered, given that,
as they explained, they had to pay VAT which should have actually
been covered by those who rented rooms and apartments. Therefore
they called on authorities to change it for the next season.
The UHPA chairman, Ivan Puskar, said a sensible policy of prices as
well as investments were needed as to ensure that Croatia would not
again be the most expensive destination at the Mediterranean.
Workers in the nautical tourism are also satisfied with a 15-
percent increase in the number of guests in 48 commercial marinas
and a 12-percent- increase in the number of boats as against 2001.
The chairman of the association of nautical tourism (within the
Croatian Chamber of Commerce), Ivan Soza, said the problem cropped
up in the insufficient number of berths in marinas, and therefore he
proposed the construction of new marinas or the expansion of the
existing ones in line with the strict criteria for the
environmental protection. He also insisted the current 22-percent
VAT in tourism should drop to six-percent rate. Only the organised
arrivals of groups of tourists in Croatia are currently exempt of
paying any VAT.
(hina) ms