ZAGREB, Aug 1 (Hina) - The course of the tourist season, the number of arrivals and overnights are meeting the expectations and it is certain that the financial effects will be 10 percent better than they were at the same time last
year, Tourism Minister Pave Zupan Ruskovic told Hina on Wednesday. She said occupancy was good and that this week's number of tourists on the Adriatic was seven percent higher than the same week in 2000. The percentage of the number of tourists changes weekly but is constantly increasing in relation to last year. Commenting on data on a somewhat smaller increase in the number of tourists than expected in certain regions, especially in Dubrovnik-Neretva County, the tourism minister said this was the result of individual missteps and mistakes, particularly of hoteliers. They are accountable for hotel vacancies because they stopped bookings early and raised the
ZAGREB, Aug 1 (Hina) - The course of the tourist season, the number
of arrivals and overnights are meeting the expectations and it is
certain that the financial effects will be 10 percent better than
they were at the same time last year, Tourism Minister Pave Zupan
Ruskovic told Hina on Wednesday.
She said occupancy was good and that this week's number of tourists
on the Adriatic was seven percent higher than the same week in 2000.
The percentage of the number of tourists changes weekly but is
constantly increasing in relation to last year.
Commenting on data on a somewhat smaller increase in the number of
tourists than expected in certain regions, especially in
Dubrovnik-Neretva County, the tourism minister said this was the
result of individual missteps and mistakes, particularly of
hoteliers. They are accountable for hotel vacancies because they
stopped bookings early and raised the prices which do not match the
offer.
Zupan Ruskovic criticised increased prices in all segments of the
tourist offer and the "arbitrariness" of individual hoteliers and
caterers "who only think of themselves and work for a short time".
She pointed to insufficient occupancy in private accommodation in
certain areas which is a consequence of inadequate cooperation of
the private sector with tourist agencies.
National Board of Tourism director Niko Bulic said this year's
tourist season is proceeding according to expectations. He pointed
to tourists' come-back to the southern-most region of Dalmatia
where the recent figures show 12 percent more tourists that last
year.
Bulic said he expects July and August to give five to 10 percent
better tourism results than last year, and that better results are
also expected in the extended autumn season in September and
October. He added the following two weeks are the peak of the season
when an increased number of tourists from Italy and other European
countries is expected.
(hina) np ha