MINISTER: LOSSES IN TOURISM TO BE COVERED AFTER THIS SEASON

ZAGREB, March 16 (Hina) - There is reasonable prospect that tourism will cover its losses after this year's season, Tourism Minister Pave Zupan Ruskovic told a news conference on Friday adding stronger tourist development was expected to start in 2002. Zupan Ruskovic said a survey had been carried out in 60 companies the results of which showed that last year's tourist losses decreased more than 60 percent in relation to 1999. The minister said this was huge progress and an excellent result in only two seasons. Today's news conference was held after a meeting of the Tourism Council, which discussed preparations for this year's season. Zupan Ruskovic said preparations were progressing well, and added some companies would be able to prepare without state help whereas part of them would need state assistance. The minister said there was a considerable interest in the privatisation of Croatian hotels, but it was a process which took time. Croatia and the World Tourism and Travel Council (WTTC), the only company authorised to calculate a country's actual income from tourism and its contribution to the country's economy, will soon sign an agreement. The WTTC will carry out such an analysis in three months after which there will no longer be disputes about the amount of tourist income, Zupan Ruskovic said. The minister announced a new project of categorisation of hotels and other tourist facilities. (hina) rml